An Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the Trust Dr Raymont is a longstanding member of Oxford Health’s R&D management team. Her clinical and research interests are in the late life cognitive effects of head injury, memory disorders and dementia, as well as clinical trials in cognitive impairment. She is a member of the steering group for the Oxford Brain Health Centre, Director of the Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, and NIHR Dementia and Mental Health Lead for the Thames Valley and South Midlands Clinical Research Network.

Dr Raymont said:

‘I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to the challenges and opportunities it will bring. The last 18 months has highlighted just how much we need innovation and research to develop and update services for our patients, so I look forward working with clinical and academic colleagues alike to continue to raise the research bar within Oxford Health.’

Bill Wells, Head of Research and Development said:

‘We are delighted to have appointed Vanessa to this important role. She has a wealth of experience in research and has been part of the R&D senior management for a number of years. She will be a valuable asset to both the department and wider Trust in developing our research agenda and we all look forward to continuing to work with her.’

Dr Karl Marlowe, Chief Medical Officer, said:

‘I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to John Geddes for leading Oxford Health’s R&D department for the last decade. Under his leadership the department has continually grown in partnerships and influence locally and nationally. We are in an extremely strong position to make the next quantum leap in life science research in England and I am extremely pleased that Vanessa will be taking up this leadership position as Director of R&D at Oxford Health.  Her extensive experience of the Trust alongside her clinical and research expertise nationally and internationally, make her ideally placed to lead R&D at this critical time. I very much look forward to working with her in her new role.’