Meet the Spotlight© Team

Sam Perona (Westgate) is an experienced CEO who has successfully founded, grown and exited in the medical device space. Sam’s background as a microbiologist provides her with a strong clinical and scientific understanding within the healthcare and medical device sector and her experience raising funds and growing teams means she brings with her an experienced approach to leading high growth teams.

Martin has over 15 years experience developing AI algorithms in industry and academia for image analysis. Martin previously acted as Chief Technology Officer at DigitalBridge (now Fixtuur) from 2012-2017, and has been a Lecturer in Healthcare Sciences at The University of Manchester since 2017. Founded Spotlight Pathology following InnovateUK ICURe participation.

Richard is a consultant haematopathologist at the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and a Professor in Pathology at The University of Manchester. Spotlight Pathology benefits from his extensive experience in the diagnosis of blood cancers and the operation of specialist diagnostic centres.

Mark Hollingworth is a CIMA-qualified CFO and Finance Director with over 25 years’ experience supporting life sciences, healthcare and technology businesses.

He has held senior finance roles at AstraZeneca and has worked with early-stage and venture-backed companies on fundraising, investor relations, board reporting, financial planning, commercial contracts, licensing and operational finance. Mark provides strategic and practical financial leadership to founders, boards and management teams, helping businesses strengthen financial control, support growth and prepare for investment, partnerships or exit.

Lena has over 35 years of experience within the global Medtech & pharma industry, where she has held several commercial positions, including at Sectra/Philips, Aerocrine and Pharmacia. Lately, as the business area manager for digital pathology at ContextVision AB she oversaw the development and CE-marking of INIFY, an AI-based decision support tool for prostate cancer. Now she works as an independent consultant. She is chairman of the board at Neores AB, a member of the board at Zenicor AB and a board observer at Spotlight Pathology.