Meet the SonoTarg Team of experts

A retired corporate banker, Ivan held several executive roles at a leading Nordic financial institution over the course of a distinguished career in banking.

He brings valuable lived experience as a pancreatic cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 2011 and undergoing a Whipple’s Procedure, followed by a recurrence in 2014. In addition to serving as Chair of Sonotarg, he holds multiple Trustee and Director roles across a range of charitable organisations, social enterprises, and businesses throughout Northern Ireland.

In recognition of his significant contributions, he was awarded an MBE for services to charity and the community in Northern Ireland in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in April 2021.

Nigel Trim is a graduate pharmacologist with 35 years of experience in the clinical development and commercialization of Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device products. As a director, founder, and investor, he has successfully grown multiple companies through to acquisition, managing businesses of up to 200 employees. He has extensive experience leading pharma and med-tech development programs across Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, North America, North Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Jamie brings over 25 years of clinical drug development experience to his role as Chief Operating Officer at SonoTarg. He holds a degree in Biomedical Technology and prior to joining the SonoTarg team was Head of Clinical Development at St George Street Capital.

During his career Jamie has helped to bring several major pharmaceutical products to market including Zytiga, Lutathera, and Prevenar.

He has held senior leadership roles in biotech and CRO with responsibilities including clinical product development and ensuring successful business growth. Jamie is a key member of the SonoTarg leadership team and also serves as a member of the SonoTarg Board.

Professor Tony McHale is a medical biotechnology expert at Ulster University and a co-inventor of the SonoTarg IP. Trained as a biochemist, he specializes in bioengineering and stimulus-responsive drug and gene delivery. With extensive experience in developing ultrasound-based cancer therapies, he has contributed to the creation, pre-clinical development, and early-stage clinical testing of CEFUS, an innovative ultrasound therapy for cancer.

Professor Mark Taylor is a Consultant HPB Surgeon at BHSCT and Visiting Professor at Ulster University. A former President of the GBI Hepato-pancreato-biliary Association and the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, he sits on the Medical Advisory Board of Bowel Cancer UK.

In 2016, he was tasked with reconfiguring Northern Ireland’s Health Service. He joined the Department of Health’s Transformation Implementation Group in 2017 and its Regional Management Board in 2020. From 2018 to 2023, he served as
Director of Professional Affairs (NI) for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is part of the Department’s Elective Care
Management Team and Expert Clinical Panel, and recently chaired the DoH 'Review of General Surgery'.

Mark’s current research focuses on sonodynamic drug delivery therapy in pancreatic cancer (CMO Sonotarg).

Timothy Brundle is an internationally recognised leader in research and technology strategy, policy, investment, and management. He holds the position of Director of Research & Innovation at Ulster University, the 2024 UK & Ireland University of the Year. Timothy directs Ulster’s research strategy, governance, and administration, and guides its economic impact through venture capital investment, business partnerships and intellectual property commercialisation.

He also holds the position of CEO of Innovation Ulster Ltd, Ulster’s venturing and investment company. As a Senior Leader at Ulster, Timothy directs a team of 90 research management professionals, an annual £20m research strategy budget and manages £1.5m of spend each week on research and innovation.

David Andrews is an influential business entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience across a diverse range of dynamic sectors. He fuses commercial instinct with creative passion to build, scale, and elevate brands to growth and recognition. His strategic insight and relentless drive stem from a deep-rooted passion for music, entertainment, broadcast, and live events, evolving into successful ventures in the medical and healthcare industries.

David has held multiple leadership positions as an owner, board director, managing director, and investor, bringing vision, commercial focus, and results-driven excellence.

A true people person, he works with trusted collaborators, loyal networks, and top-tier professionals to deliver standout results and create market-leading, life-changing opportunities.

Ben is a finance professional with extensive experience in early-stage business incubation and investment oversight. As a chartered accountant with over a decade of experience at PwC, he has a proven track record of leading finance teams through significant growth and change. His experience also includes various leadership roles within startup ventures. Currently, Ben manages a UHNW family office and investment portfolio and serves on the board of several early-stage companies.