The Team
Management Team
Professor Ashley Akbari
Professor Population Data Science Research / Head of SAIL User and Data Support Services (UDSS) & Research Innovation - SAIL Databank
Professor Simon Thompson has a long-established track record in the UK and internationally for creating, developing and leading major data infrastructures. As one of the architects of the SAIL Databank he shares credit for its growth and success over many years with now-retired founders Professors David Ford and Ronan Lyons. Simon is also Director of the multi-million pound, world-leading Secure eResearch Platform (SeRP) programme and is Co-director of Administrative Data Research (Wales), Dementia Platform UK and DATAMIND. With a background as a leading innovator in the data science technology environment, Simon continues to lead the innovation, design, development and implementation of all SAIL technical system developments in addition to his executive-level leadership of the programme.
Ashley is Professor of Population Data Science Research at Population Data Science, Swansea University, and is the Head of the SAIL User and Data Support Services (UDSS) team & Research Innovation at SAIL Databank. Based at Swansea University since 2008, Ashley plays a substantive role in major research programmes & projects utilising population-scale data, predominantly using the SAIL Databank. Championing Team Science, Ashley leads and collaborates with multidisciplinary, multi-organisational groups in developing and delivering research that promotes the translation of research outcomes into policy across academia and government, in order to improve services and people’s lives. Ashley is particularly interested in promoting Team Science and the development of the next generation of data scientists, and is the Director of the Population Data Science Internship Programme.
Julie Kennedy is an experienced project and business manager. She spent fifteen years as an NHS IM&T project manager, working on regional and national projects with an eHealth focus. Joining Swansea University in 2010 as a Business Development Manager, she successfully developed a number of successful University / local industry collaboration projects and secured Welsh Government funding for two spinout projects (Health Cloud CIRP and Life Science Wales KEP). Within the SAIL Databank team Julie’s role is to manage the business workflow processes, ensuring that projects progress through their lifecycles from initial scoping to final closure and post project evaluation.
Jon is Head of Programmes and Chief Operating Officer in Swansea University Data Science. Jon is an experienced senior manager who has successfully delivered a wide range of large strategic programmes and projects in the public, private and third sectors across the UK and internationally. Jon is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and a PRINCE2©, MSP©, and Agile© registered practitioner and SCRUM Master©. Jon’s role is to manage all aspects of delivery of Swansea University’s role in ADR Wales, and, with colleagues in Welsh Government, to input into the operations of ADR UK.
Sharon is a qualified and practising solicitor who specialises in the law of data protection, health learning systems and big data. She is the specialist legal advisor to the SAIL databank providing both internal legal advice and working with data providers to draft appropriate data sharing agreements and compliance documents. With over sixteen years of post-qualification experience Sharon has worked within government, the private sector and university environments working alongside cyber security and information governance specialists to provide legal support and advice at both operational and strategic level. Sharon has worked with international companies to ensure GDPR readiness and wider compliance and developed audit and compliance systems that provide assurance and quality control. Sharon has acted as an advocate and a trainer in this specialist field and plays an active role is the SAIL’s IGRP scrutiny processes.
Chris is a Programme Manager across activity within Population Data Science at Swansea University working to develop research using the SAIL Databank and involve SAIL in programmes developing research and infrastructure across the UK and internationally. Chris is also technical lead of the Health Data Research UK Inflammation and Immunity Driver Programme, developing respiratory and immune-mediated inflammatory disease research and ensuring the programme liaises with ongoing technical development across UK research infrastructure.
Joel joined SAIL in December 2024. His role involves taking minutes for core SAIL meetings, building reception administration and assists with general administration duties.
Rachel joined SAIL in 2021 having previously been a teacher and a manager in Royal Mail. Since joining the Business team, Rachel has put in new policies, processes and systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in setting up, monitoring, and tracking SAIL projects and SeRPs.
As the Operations Lead for both SAIL and SeRP Rachel manages the team and manages/oversees business processes and the project management of SAIL and SeRP through their lifecycle from initial scoping to final closure and leading on the necessary procurements.
Bekah joined SAIL Business Admin Team in early 2024. She has a background in administration, and also teaching.
Her role is to work with projects throughout their lifetime. She also liaises with other teams during the set up and amendment process to ensure the smooth transition between stages.
Caitlin joined SAIL in June 2023. Her role focuses on supporting the smooth progression of projects through their entire lifecycle with SAIL, from scoping to completion. This includes recording and maintaining project information, as well as overseeing cost recovery processes and facilitating amendments to projects.
Chris joined SAIL/SeRP in June 2025. His role is working alongside the SeRP Administrator Officer, assisting with the tracking and processing of procurements. He also takes minutes for core SAIL meetings and assists with general duties within the Business Admin Team.
Emily joined the Data Science Building in 2017, working with the DSB finance team on budget forecasts and consolidation as well as managing HR queries in regards to contracts and recruitment.
She then moved to the Business Admin team in October 2024, where she is responsible for tracking and processing all procurements for the SAIL/SeRP teams; including large scale orders that require tenders and frameworks. She is also responsible for tracking the lifecycle of SeRP tenancies; including initial set up, cost recovery and renewal management.
Neil joined the Business Admin Team in SAIL in May 2025 and he is responsible for tracking the lifecycle of complex funding bids/projects including stakeholder engagement, initial set-up, cost recovery and renewal management. Neil also supports the large-scale procurement for the SAIL/SeRP teams.
Previously, Neil worked as a senior administrator in the Health Service Research team in Swansea University and has a background in project and events management.
Christian is the IT Implementation Manager at SAIL and SeRP (Secure eResearch Platform), with over 10+ years of experience in international companies leading IT development projects and business continuity areas. He is responsible for managing infrastructure and software implementation projects and supporting organisations and end-users in their journey with SeRP and SAIL.
Leanne Jones is the Business Development Manager at SAIL/SeRP, where she helps organisations and researchers make the most of secure data to drive meaningful impact. She’s passionate about building strong partnerships and connecting people with the tools and support they need to turn great ideas into real-world outcomes. Leanne joined the SAIL/SeRP team in October and brings a strong background in business development and stakeholder engagement. She enjoys working across sectors to promote collaboration, innovation, and responsible data use, and is driven by helping others achieve their goals through meaningful connections and practical solutions.
Tanaka serves as the first point of contact for SeRP (Secure eResearch Platform) enquiries, communicating directly with clients to understand their needs, provide information, and assist with quotations. He also support collaborative projects with clients, ensuring smooth communication, accurate documentation, and efficient project delivery.
Chris is responsible for all marketing, communication and engagement activities within the SAIL Databank team. Through marketing campaigns, events, impactful case studies, blogs and news articles, Chris aspires to uphold and strengthen SAIL Databank’s excellent reputation as a world-class population databank. A graduate of Swansea University, Chris holds an MSc in Health Informatics. Chris comes from a background of marketing, communications & engagement roles in health and medical research organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie and Wales Air Ambulance.
Cynthia joined the SAIL Databank team in 2010. She is responsible for all aspects of governance and management of data coming into SAIL from external organisations, both in relation to managing existing data held by SAIL and negotiating new datasets to be shared. She supports and manages existing relationships with a wide range of organisations who share their data as well as actively initiating new relationships. Cynthia is Chair of the SAIL Data Management group and is responsible for SAIL’s Information Governance Review process.
Amy joined the SAIL Databank team in 2020. She is responsible for assisting researchers with their Research Accreditation Panel (RAP) applications, to access data brought into SAIL under the Digital Economy Act. Along with assisting researchers with obtaining data owner approvals to access Core Restricted data in SAIL. Amy also works with data providers to bring their data into SAIL and she also assists researchers who wish to bring in their own.
Brogan joined the SAIL team in February 2024. Her role is to provide support to the Data Acquisition & Governance team by liaising with existing data providers to seek relevant approvals of their data, which also includes aspects of the Research Accreditation Panel (RAP) applications. Brogan advises researchers on the requirements for access to particular datasets and to track and maintain information on SAIL’s data assets.
Charlotte joined the SAIL databank team in 2016. She is responsible for managing the information governance review process for projects wishing to access SAIL data (including new applications, extensions and amendments), providing guidance on process and liaising with applicants and reviewers as required. She also supports the governance systems and processes in relation to the approval of users. Charlotte also manages aspects of the data provisioning process.
Elin joined the SAIL Databank team in 2019 and is one of SAIL’s Information Governance Coordinators. The role consists of administering all information governance functions related to use of SAIL data in line with standard operating procedures. In addition, the coordinators ensure that all documentation relating to SAIL projects, policies and datasets are kept up to date and are held, processed and deleted in line with legal requirements.
Lynsey joined the SAIL team in 2016, and is currently working as a research officer, specialising in primary care data acquisition and public involvement. Her role focuses on working with GP practices and stakeholders to enable the secure use of anonymised primary care data for research. Lynsey ensures that the perspectives of practitioners, policymakers, and the public are embedded in this process. Alongside this, Lynsey share insights through blogs and reports, helping to build transparency, trust, and best practice in data-driven health research across Wales.
Nerys joined the SAIL Databank team in 2023 and is one of SAIL’s Information Governance coordinators. The role consists of administering all information governance functions related to use of SAIL data in line with standard operating procedures. In addition, the coordinators ensure that all documentation relating to SAIL projects, policies and datasets are kept up to date and are held, processed and deleted in line with legal requirements. The coordinators are supported in the role by the Data Acquisitioning and Provisioning Manager.
As a Compliance Officer, I play a key role in supporting the Information Security and Compliance Manager to ensure that SAIL operates within a secure and compliant framework. I help maintain the Information Security Management System (ISMS) in line with ISO 27001 standards, carrying out internal audits, monitoring adherence to policies, managing our risk register and compliance action logs. My role is also to review and update security procedures, investigate incidents, and provide evidence to demonstrate continual improvement of compliance and information security practices.
Lauren joined the Information Security team in 2021 and currently holds the position of Compliance Officer. In this role, Lauren plays a key part in supporting the Information Security and Compliance Manager to ensure that SAIL operates within a secure and compliant framework. She helps maintain the Information Security Management System (ISMS) in accordance with ISO 27001 standards, conducting internal audits, monitoring compliance with policies, and managing the risk register and compliance action logs. Her responsibilities also include reviewing and updating security procedures, investigating incidents, and providing evidence to demonstrate the ongoing improvement of compliance and information security practices.
Caitlin is a qualified and practising solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Caitlin specialises in the law of data protection and health learning systems, along with advising on other corporate and commercial legal considerations. Since joining Swansea University’s Medical School in July 2023, Caitlin provides legal advice internally to several different projects:- including the SAIL Databank. Caitlin regularly works with prospective collaborators, data providers and stakeholders to negotiate and draft various legal contracts, including but not limited to data sharing agreements; tripartite agreements; data access agreements; and collaboration agreements. Caitlin also takes a keen interest in the governance and compliance of the SAIL Databank and sits as a panel member both on SAIL’s internal IGRP panel and SAIL’s audit/compliance panel.
Rachel is a qualified and practising solicitor who specialises in the law of data protection, health learning systems and big data. Since joining SAIL in January 2024, she provides legal advice internally to SAIL databank, whilst working with data providers and a wide range of stake holders to draft appropriate data sharing agreements and compliance documents. Rachel also plays an active role as a legal reviewer within the SAIL’s IGRP scrutiny processes.
Rachel is an experienced solicitor with over seventeen years of post-qualification experience, having worked within government and the private sector.
Caroline is a Senior Data Scientist & User Support Lead, joining the team in 2006, with extensive experience in the NHS, academia and industry. Caroline’s responsibilities include ensuring data quality, providing project data provisioning, supporting projects, and offering guidance on using the SAIL system.
Hywel is a Senior Data Scientist & User Support Lead, where he is involved in driving service innovation, strategic decision-making, and ensuring the team delivers high-quality outcomes to enable research for public benefit. Hywel completed a PhD in antimatter physics and previously worked on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva.
Sarah is a Senior Data Scientist and User Support Lead, joining the team in 2014. Sarah has extensive experience gained over years working in a range of organisations and roles, including within the NHS in England and Wales, in roles related to public health, information management, and analysis.
Alex is a Data Scientist and User Support Manager, with a background in Biological Sciences and Data Management. Alex supports research projects across SAIL services, including project scoping, internal IGRP reviews, file-out reviews, metadata tasks, and Data Extraction and Processing (DEP).
Alex is a Data Scientist & User Support Assistant, joining the team in 2020, and helps support research projects across SAIL services, providing metadata and geospatial [GIS] analytical support to a range of research projects, including contributing to enhancing the data quality of SAIL data. Alex’s background is in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and archaeology, having worked the past 20 years on a number of large archaeological sites in the context of land surveying region-wide archaeological areas for heritage management, and long-term data studies of past human habitation.
Anna is a Data Scientist & User Support Manager, joining the team in 2020 with a background in molecular microbiology. Anna manages a broad portfolio of data linkage and analysis projects for multidisciplinary research teams, with a focus on social and educational outcomes for children. Anna also works with research clients to develop their data linkage and SQL skills. Anna’s personal research interests focus on utilising administrative data to enhance the lives of autistic adults and children.
Carys is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, joining the team in 2020. Carys discovered this role while working as part of an epilepsy research team at Swansea University, studying and working on how data connectivity is used as part of the Swansea Neurology Biobank. Carys graduated from the University of Manchester in 2017 with a First Class Masters in Chemistry; however, medical data science has definitely won her over.
Gareth is a Data Scientist and User Support Manager, joining the team in 2024. Gareth has years of research experience using SAIL, delivering various research projects within SAIL since 2014. Gareth received his undergraduate degree from Cardiff University in 1994 in Astrophysics, followed by the completion of a Masters by Research from the College of Medicine at Swansea University.
Jenny is a Data Scientist and User Support Manager, joining the team in 2023. Jenny supports SAIL projects across a range of SAIL services, including scoping new SAIL projects, provisioning data, and working with research projects to provide support for Data Extraction and Processing (DEP). Jenny graduated from Aberystwyth University with a first class BSc in Computer Science.
Lee is a Data Scientist & User Support Coordinator, joining the team in 2023. Lee’s main responsibilities include undertaking activities related to the Services offered by the team, as well as assisting with team administrative duties.
Lorna is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, joining the team in 2023. Prior to joining SAIL, Lorna gained development experience across a wide variety of application areas, having worked for British Steel, Greater Manchester Police, Afan College, and Hewlett Packard. Lorna holds a degree in Computer Science, a first-class honours degree in Law, a Masters degree in Legal Practice and Advanced Drafting, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further Education).
Mo is a Data Scientist & User Support Manager, joining the team in 2024. Mo has a background in Public health research and supports a range of SAIL services and projects, including data provisioning, supporting research within SAIL and Data Extraction and Processing (DEP).
Mohamed is a Data Scientist and User Support Manager with the SAIL Databank’s User & Data Support Services (UDSS) team. His key responsibilities include supporting services related to disclosure control, project scoping, metadata development, and data quality. Since joining SAIL in 2019, he has held various roles, including Senior Research Data Analyst and Research Officer & Data Scientist, contributing to multidisciplinary research in areas such as multimorbidity, mental health, maternal and child health, data linkage, data mining, and machine learning. Before joining SAIL, Mohamed served as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Tripoli.
Owen is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, joining the team in 2022. Owen’s main responsibilities include undertaking activities related to the Services offered by the team, as well as assisting with team administrative duties.
Patsy is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, rejoining the team in 2025, following a short career break to travel and surf. Patsy graduated with a first-class BSc in Mathematics from Swansea University in 2018, receiving three academic awards. Patsy began her career working with automotive data before joining SAIL in 2020.
Saira is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, joining the team in 2022. Saira completed her undergraduate degree in medical engineering in 2020 and subsequently earned a Masters in Big Data and AI, with a keen interest in working with data.
Sam is a Data Scientist & User Support Officer, joining the team in 2025. Sam studied Mathematics and Sports Science before pursuing research at their intersection in biomechanics, and later transitioning into data science research applied across a range of Olympic sports. Sam supports a range of SAIL services, aiming to assist researchers and projects in their data analysis for the public good.
