In 2019 WiTT brought together a panel of experts to explore the latest trends in Medtech. On March 18th we revisited the sector, which we now refer to as HealthTech. (For this event we use the World Health Organization’s broad definition of HealthTech: “Health technologies include medicines, medical devices, assistive technologies, techniques and procedures developed to solve health problems and improve the quality of life.”)
There’s no doubt technology is changing and enhancing the world of medicine and health care. Our event examined which innovations have fulfilled their promise, which are still works in progress (or failures), and which new developments are on the horizon.
Our speakers considers the growing role of AI in diagnostics, drug discovery, data management and personalization of care provision (including the use of agents and chatbots); robotic surgery and other robotic devices such as a new generation of prosthetics; wearable tech; telemedicine, telehealth and patient portals; and the use of immersive technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality for patient care and medical training.
Annette Nabavi, WiTT board director and Non-Executive Director at iomart, chaired the panel. She was joined by:
Ekanjali Dhillon, Digital Transformation Change Lead at HCA-UK;
Adeola Olaitan MD FRCOG,Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Honorary Associate Professor, UCL;
Ann O’Neill, Co-Founder and CEO, Adora; and
Karen Taylor, Head of the Centre for Health Solutions at Deloitte UK.
WiTT would like to thank Venner Shipley for hosting.
You can watch the video of the event on the WiTT YouTube channel, here.
Chair and Panelist biographies
Panel Chair
Annette Nabavi
AHV Associates / Anchusa Consulting / iomart plc / Elect plc
Annette has a broad range of public and private board experience and currently holds a number of Directorships. She is a Non-Executive Director on the board of iomart plc, an AIM listed cloud services business. She serves as the Chairman of iomart’s Remuneration Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. She is also a Non-Executive Director on the board of Eleco plc, an AIM listed construction industry software company, where she chairs the Remuneration Committee and acts as the Senior Independent Director. She was on the Advisory Board of the National Media Museum, part of the Science Museum Group for 10 years, and also served as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Maintel Group plc for 7 years. She is a Director of Women in Telecoms and Technology (WiTT) Ltd.
Annette previously held the position of Head of Telecoms Global Business Development for Corporate Finance at ING Barings where she gained significant experience in M&A, private equity, structured debt and public equity transactions.
She later became the founding director and CEO of XchangePoint Holdings Ltd, a Venture Capital backed Internet Interconnect company providing broadband metro peering services to ISPs and carriers. Annette was responsible for tripling revenues every year for 3 years, and grew the customer base to over 100 customers while expanding the company into Germany. She successfully achieved two rounds of VC financing.
Her early years were spent with the PA Consulting Group where she specialized in strategic partnerships, business planning and marketing strategy. She became a Senior Partner with PA before moving to Barings.
Annette holds an MA from Oxford University and a Doctorate from the University of Dijon.
Speakers
Dr Ekanjali Dhillon
Digital Transformation Change Lead in Medicine and Oncology at HCA UK
Dr Ekanjali Dhillon is a healthcare leader with extensive experience in both the NHS and private healthcare sectors, specialising in digital transformation and health technology implementation in complex clinical environments.
As Digital Transformation Change Lead in Medicine and Oncology at HCA UK, she drives the integration of technology to optimise patient care and streamline healthcare operations. With a background as a physician and a track record of leading in healthcare projects, Dr Dhillon has expertise in navigating the challenges of clinical adoption, interoperability, and digital strategy in healthcare.
Passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and health tech, Dr Dhillon brings insights on scaling digital solutions, navigating healthcare systems, and driving impactful change in patient care.
Adeola Olaitan MD FRCOG
Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Honorary Associate Professor, UCL
Adeola Olaitan was appointed as Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at the University College London Hospital, the gynaecological cancer centre for the then North London Cancer Network, in January 2002. She discontinued NHS Clinical work in August 2022 but still participates actively in research while maintaining a busy clinical private practice.
She obtained her Medical Degree from the University College Hospital London where she was distinguished with a certificate of merit in surgery. As part of her training in obstetrics and gynaecology, Miss Olaitan worked in many of London’s leading Hospitals. She underwent sub specialty training in gynaecological oncology at St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol.
She is an accredited minimally invasive and robotic surgeon and offers women the minimally invasive approach where appropriate. She is also accredited in colposcopy.
She is the author of over 100 publications and book chapters. She is a recognised international expert and has lectured locally, nationally and internationally.
She has been distinguished with many achievements and awards including:
• CURA-H lifetime achievement award nominee 2024 • Physician of the year (diaspora) award nominee 2023
• Simms Black Visiting Professor; Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists 2019
• Visiting Professor Dalhousie University, Halifax Canada November – December 2017
• Inspiring Teacher Award SPROGS, UK 2017
• Academic Excellence Award UCL 2006
• Bernhard Baron Travelling Fellowship RCOG London, 2006
• Ethicon Travel Award, RCOG London 1999
• BGCS Prize: Best Oral Presentation, Leicester 1998
• BSCCP Prize: Best Poster, Cheltenham 1998
• RCOG Specialist Registrars’ Prize: Best Oral Presentation, 1997
• Certificate of Merit, Surgery, MBBS, London 1987
Ann O’Neill
Founder and CEO, Adora
With two decades of experience in business development, marketing, and brand partnerships at leading global media companies and innovative startups, Ann founded Adora Digital Health.
Leveraging Conversational AI to guide women through their menopause journey, the Adora platform addresses their unique health and wellbeing needs during this life stage.
Since its 2024 launch, Adora has been implemented in over 35 companies and is partnering with the NHS on pilot workforce programs in Scotland and England.
Ann is passionate about addressing healthcare disparities that disproportionately affect women and diverse communities. Through a combined private and public sector strategy, she is determined to ensure no woman is left behind.
Karen Taylor
Director, UK Centre for Health Solutions, Deloitte
Karen Taylor is the Research Director of the Centre for Health Solutions. She supports the Healthcare and Life Sciences practice by driving independent and objective business research and analysis into key industry challenges and associated solutions; generating evidence based insights and points of view on issues from pharmaceuticals and technology innovation to healthcare management and reform. Karen also produces a weekly blog on topical issues facing the healthcare and life science industries.