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Med-Tech enterprise TestCard makes four new senior appointments to its Board of Directors

Written by: Nola Cadman
Published on: 18 Sep 2020

Award-winning medtech enterprise Testcard, has announced the arrival of four new senior managers, in the company’s latest bid to bolster its growing, ambitious team.

The four arrive at TestCard with decades of relevant corporate experience behind them. The strength and level of these hires, reflects the excitement and confidence surrounding the brand, during what has been described as a period of ‘extraordinary new innovation’ as it launches its ground-breaking at-home UTI testing kit, that turns a smartphone camera into a clinical grade scanner.

Testcard’s new Chairman is industry veteran Howard Meitiner, who brings 50 years of experience in the retail, consumer products, and healthcare sectors; demonstrating leadership success related to start-ups, strategic planning and business redesign across the world.

Meitner was a senior executive with Duty Free Shoppers for 19 years, and in 1997 was appointed CEO of Sephora to launch the concept in the USA. From 2006-2015, he was the CEO of Phoenix House, and has been appointed by TestCard for his leadership expertise in bringing about healthcare transformation.

Andrew Vallance-Owen joins TestCard as Chief Medical Officer, having originally trained as a surgeon. Vallance-Owen became Medical Director of Bupa Hospitals in 1994 before later being appointed Chief Medical Officer of the Bupa Group in 1995. He has been appointed by TestCard for his extensive expertise in value-based care, measurement of clinical outcome and digital technology. He is also currently Chairman of the Private Healthcare Information Network

TestCard’s founder investor, Chris Craig-Wood, joins as Chief Commercial Officer

Craig-Wood has over 20 years of experience in Investment Banking in London and Asia and was most recently a Managing Director and Head of Equity Finance at UBS, based in Hong Kong, and was directly responsible for the Asia Pacific region and jointly responsible globally.

Craig-Wood brings a wealth of international management experience to TestCard and in his new role he will oversee the commercial development of the company.

Simon Lints, newly appointed Head of Asia Pacific, has been brought to the business for his strong entrepreneurial track record, extensive financial expertise and his in-depth knowledge of the Asia Pacific region.

Lints has previously worked for J.P. Morgan, Saudi International Bank, Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals, UBS and Credit Suisse. Most recently, he was CEO of Schroders Wealth Management, based in Singapore, and was responsible for South East Asia.

Lints is based in Singapore and his appointment reflects Testcard’s growing ambition in the Asia Pacific region.

Commenting on the appointments, TestCard CEO Luke Heron said, “We have been on an extraordinary journey over the past couple of years. These appointments to the Board are a testament to the company’s ambition. All four bring an unrivalled wealth of knowledge and expertise, which will help TestCard continue to grow as it delivers its disruptive at-home healthcare solution to the market across multiple territories.” 

TestCard has an ambitious product pipeline. Alongside UTI tests, it is working to develop diabetic screening, pregnancy and ovulation tests, kidney function, a drugs misuse test, and even a urine malaria test.

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About TestCard

TestCard was born after a discussion at the school gates. Founders Dr. Andrew Botham and Luke Heron were talking about medical tests and how people, especially men, delay seeking professional help. They saw a problem with the way people traditionally accessed tests, which can be a resource hungry process. For many people across the world, it is extremely difficult to access a quick and simple test, which means slower access to help - this is what Testcard aims to change.

About the founders:

Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Botham was formerly Head of Research & Development for ACM Global Laboratory, later moving to become the Head of Laboratory testing at the department of blood sciences within the NHS (Biochemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Pre-analytical, Point of Care testing and Phlebotomy) in East Yorkshire, where he oversaw the control and maintenance of blood science analytical services across all hospital sites.

CEO Luke Heron began his career at the British stockbroker Smith New Court, later acquired by Merrill Lynch. Previously the founder of multiple chart-topping iOS games and apps, Luke co-founded TestCard with long time friend Dr Andrew Botham 

Awards

Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest 2019 Winner 

Winners: 'Top Emerging Technology' @ CES 2019 - The Global Innovation Expo, Las Vegas.

T3 Hot 100 list - 2019

Global Ventures Summit - pitch winner 2017