Virtual reality healthtech firm Mindwaves Ventures is expanding its services by opening an office in Leeds.
Mindwave has worked with six NHS trusts and an NHS sustainability and transformation partnership (STP) across England to help them design and develop their personal health record (PHR) platforms, and has also developed and delivered apps for academic research teams and NHS trusts around the country.
The company will support the region’s ambitions for digital health as set out in a new cross-sector enterprise partnership, launched earlier this year, aimed at boosting the healthtech industry in the Leeds City Region.
More than three million people are set to benefit from the partnership - which includes the NHS, local authorities and five universities - and is designed to accelerate health technology innovation.
Alongside its expansion plans, the company has made two new appointments.
Dr Victoria Betton, Mindwave’s newly appointed chief innovation officer, will head up the Leeds office. Dr Betton previously founded digital health companies mHabitat and Co>Space North, and has over 20 years’ experience in the NHS, local government and the third sector.
Dr Betton said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mindwave at such a pivotal time.
“The Leeds’ office expansion is a natural progression for the business. In my role as chief innovation officer I will be working closely with our new COO, as well as Mindwave founder and CEO Kumar Jacob to meet our clients’ needs and ensure that they are fully equipped to benefit from the UK’s digital health revolution.”
The company has also appointed Dr Janak Gunatilleke as chief operating officer. Dr Gunatilleke has 14 years’ experience in healthcare in a variety of clinical, operational and consulting roles within the NHS, SMEs and large corporates, including Accenture.
Dr Gunatilleke said: “I am delighted to have been appointed into the role of chief operating officer and keen to start ramping up the scope and depth of the Mindwave offering.”
Mindwave founder and chief executive, Kumar Jacob, added: “Janak and Victoria join us at a really exciting time for Mindwave. As we grow our senior management team, we will ensure that we are able to provide our clients across the NHS, charitable and private sector the seamless, unparalleled digital health services they need.”
