Meet the Team

An engaged and friendly team

Our team sits across two prestigious UK institutions – Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School at the University of Bristol and Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh. 

Our varied backgrounds bring diverse expertise to our organisation. 

We provide researchers and analysts with an efficient and effective route to access linked Longitudinal Population Data with the aim their findings will deliver improvements to health and care treatments, public health policy and a greater understanding of events that shape the lives of people across society.

You can contact us by email at info@ukllc.ac.uk

UK LLC Management Group

Andy Boyd, UK LLC Director, University of Bristol

Andy is the Director at UK LLC and is responsible for its overall operation and strategic direction. Andy’s 22 years with Children of the 90s study (ALSPAC) has provided him an array of experience through his various roles, from Information Security Manager to Data Programmer. This has allowed him specialised knowledge in designing data and governance infrastructure needed for linking participants in Longitudinal Population Studies with routine records to augment cohort study databanks. Andy also works part-time with Health Data Research UK.

Robin Flaig, UK LLC Co-Director, University of Edinburgh

Robin is the Co-Director at UK LLC and holds strategic responsibility for applications, communications, public involvement and Scottish data linkages. Robin has been with the University of Edinburgh for over 20 years and has extensive experience working with Longitudinal Population Studies and data linkage. Robin’s previous role as a Programme Manager with UK BioBank and now as Operations Manager with Generation Scotland has allowed her to understand the complexities around linking Longitudinal Population Study data across the four nations. Prior to working with data linkage, Robin was the Audit Coordinator for the Scottish Stroke Care Audit working to improve the care of patients who have suffered a stroke.

Jacqui Oakley, UK LLC Head of Operations, University of Bristol

Jacqui is the Head of Operations at UK LLC and is responsible for overall delivery, finance and governance. As part of the UK LLC Management Group and Executive she provides joint leadership and strategic decision-making. Jacqui worked has over 14 years of experience working in research funding and strategic development, within UKRI (BBSRC and MRC) and academia (the University of Bristol). 

UK LLC Team

Rachel Calkin, UK LLC Research Manager, University of Bristol

Rachel is a Research Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for harmonisation of data within the Trusted Research Environment. The confidentiality of people’s personal information has been fundamental to many jobs throughout Rachel’s career, which have included consumer analysis for an online retailer, and evaluating service provision for a cancer information charity. Rachel joined the University of Bristol eight years ago, initially to work as a research associate in the School for Policy studies. She subsequently became a data manager for Children of the 90s study (ALSPAC), working with linked health and education records in a Secure Data Environment.

Kirsteen Campbell, UK LLC Public Involvement and Communications Manager, University of Edinburgh

Kirsteen is the Public Involvement and Communications Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for the Public Involvement Programme, organisational communications and manages the Communications Team. Kirsteen’s background is in the charity sector, working for over 25 years at Cancer Research UK. Her work involved delivering communications and events to raise funds for and awareness of cutting-edge research. Before joining UK LLC in 2020 Kirsteen was based at the CRUK Scotland Institute, working with researchers, clinicians and nurses to welcome charity fundraisers, cancer patients and their families to hear about the latest research developments.

Katharine Evans, UK LLC Senior Data Manager, University of Bristol

Katharine is a Senior Data Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for Information Security, Information Governance, Data Documentation and User Experience. Katharine’s background in natural sciences took her to the University of Melbourne, where she completed a PhD in the School of Botany followed by 10 years of postdoctoral research in Bristol and Edinburgh. Moving to the Menzies School of Health Research in 2013, Katharine worked as a Project Manager with the Central Australia Renal Study. Before joining UK LLC in 2021, Katharine had the position of Research Manager with the UK Renal Registry. At UK LLC, Katharine leads on the design and delivery of the policy and procedural framework.

Lidis Garbovan, UK LLC Research Fellow (Citizen Panel Lead), University of Edinburgh

Lidis is a Research Fellow at UK LLC and is responsible for the delivery of the 2-year Citizen Panel pilot project. Lidis has a background in sociology and social anthropology and prior to joining UK LLC she has worked with several Universities on research projects involving diverse communities in the UK and abroad, for instance exploring the experiences of ethnic minorities and migrants with the COVID-19 pandemic. She contributed to the co-design and delivery of a Citizens’ Jury focused on enhancing the potential of digital health tools and services to help reducing inequalities. Lidis has strong experience and interest in involving participants in the research and in the co-production of research outcomes, using creative and artistic methods.

Abigail Hill, UK LLC Research Manager, University of Bristol

Abigail is a Research Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for managing the onboarding process for UK LLC partner Longitudinal Population Studies, introducing new place-based datasets and managing the UK LLC User Group. Abigail completed her PhD at University College London in the Consumer Data Research Centre, focusing on geospatial analysis of the retail landscape. There Abigail worked on a research project that helped inform local policy on using smart data in Camden and was the Network Coordinator of the Master’s Dissertation scheme. Before joining UK LLC Abigail worked at the University of Hertfordshire as a Data Analyst, with her role ensuring the quality of student data and geospatial modelling.

Stela McLachlan, UK LLC Research Manager, University of Edinburgh

Stela is a Research Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for the management of the application process, lead contact for applicants and finance management responsibilities. Stela has over 17 years of research and data management experience, 14 of which with the University of Edinburgh. Managing Edinburgh-based cohorts, Stela was part of a collaboration of longitudinal population studies that looked at genetic factors influencing cardiometabolic disease (UCLEB Consortium). Stela’s research interest is in genetics of red blood cell traits and iron metabolism. As data manager, she has experience in data cleaning, QC, data harmonisation and database design. She also worked on a project that aimed to improve the recognition of patients with multimorbidity attending hospital in NHS Lothian. 

Samuel Neale, UK LLC Data Research Software Engineer, University of Bristol

Sam is the Data Research Software Engineer at UK LLC and is responsible for the maintenance and development of data engineering tools and pipelines both inside and outside the Trusted Research Environment. Sam completed his PhD in Computational Chemistry at Heriot-Watt University in 2019 and subsequently held postdoctoral positions at Ghent University and the University of Bath before joining UK LLC at the beginning of 2025. His research career has developed his expertise and interest in using high performance computing environments for data-driven research and development of data analysis and engineering products with Python.

Christian Spreadbury, UK LLC Senior Research Administrator, University of Bristol

Christian is the Senior Research Administrator at UK LLC and is responsible for providing administrative support across the UK LLC team including governance groups. Christian has worked at the University of Bristol since 2015, beginning as a Stores Assistant before progressing within the Engineering Faculty to be PA to a succession of Heads of School. An interest in research led him to a role as Research Administrator and PA to the Director for the SPHERE Project – a Sensor Platform for Healthcare in a Residential Environment. Christian’s ambition to support and enable research that changes lives and is a positive force in the world led him to join UK LLC in 2023.

Richard Thomas, UK LLC Senior Data Manager, University of Bristol

Richard is a Senior Data Manager at UK LLC and is responsible for the management of the Trusted Research Environment and leads the data architecture, engineering, and curation work streams. From spending four years working as part of the data linkage team at Children of the 90s study (ALSPAC) within the University of Bristol, Richard has vast experience in managing data pipelines of linked records from a variety of data domains. Prior to working with the University, Richard spent time in Australia and Saudi Arabia managing geological exploration data; ensuring data integrity, security and availability within large organisations.

Emma Turner, UK LLC Senior Data Manager and Research Fellow, University of Bristol

Emma is a Senior Data Scientist and Research Fellow at UK LLC and is responsible for relationship management with NHS and UK Government data providers and the Office for National Statistics. Emma has worked at the University of Bristol for almost 28 years and has over 16 years academic experience with routine data.  Awarded the ONS Research Excellence award 2018, Emma is a recognised leader in data linkage research from her work on prostate cancer trials.  Emma completed her PhD in Experimental Psychology in 2007, and then began working in Bristol Medical School where her research interests include prostate cancer, epidemiology, and public health.  Emma is actively involved in teaching and supervises PhD students.

Rebecca Whitehorn, UK LLC Research and Communications Coordinator, University of Edinburgh

Rebecca is the Research and Communications Co-ordinator at UK LLC and is responsible for supporting applications, data access and communications activities. Rebecca’s background in social sciences and global health has further added to her experience in the public sector for six years and working to improve public health. Beginning her career working in Audit within the public finance sector enhanced her understanding around the importance of information security and implementing procedures to keep people’s data secure.  

Alex Wood, UK LLC Web Developer, University of Edinburgh

Alex is the Web Developer at UK LLC and is responsible for building and maintaining our web-based applications. Alex has over 15 years of experience designing, building, and implementing web-based software for an array of organisations, including higher education institutions and non-profits. By collaborating closely with stakeholders and fulfilling multiple roles, he has cultivated a strong commitment to creating accessible software that both meets users’ needs and is enjoyable to use. In addition to his work with UK LLC, Alex also develops volunteer and researcher systems for the longitudinal study Generation Scotland.

Hannah Woodward, UK LLC Information Security Officer, University of Bristol

Hannah is the Information Security Officer at UK LLC and is responsible for reviewing and maintaining the UK LLC Information Security Management System including continued successful certifications and accreditations to ISO 27001 and the Digital Economy Act. Trained as a Lead Implementor and Auditor for ISO 27001, Hannah has comprehensive experience of Information Security Management Systems.  Hannah has worked at the University since 2012 including five years working with the Children of the 90s study (ALSPAC).  During this she worked closely with the LPS participants including participant panels, led the administration team, and held the role of Information Security Officer.  Hannah graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy and her clinical experience combined with participant, administration and information security involvement provides a wide ranging and comprehensive perspective. 

Krystian is the University of Bristol finance team link for UK LLC.  He brings his expertise in research finance and years of experience in industry to the team. Alongside his day to day, Krystian is working toward completing his ACCA professional qualification to build on his AAT diploma.