The UKCRF Network is delighted to celebrate the achievements of two long-standing collaborators, Caroline Saunders and Professor Judy Bradley, who have been recognised with a NIHR Research Leader Prize as part of the NIHR 20 celebrations.

The awards recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in delivering NIHR portfolio research and championing participation in research across health and care settings. Twenty individuals were selected to receive the prize, which includes a ten-thousand pound professional development award and access to tailored leadership and development opportunities.

Caroline Saunders, currently Director of CRF Operations at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has dedicated twenty-five years to establishing and developing Clinical Research Facilities on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Caroline also co-founded the UKCRF Network in 2008 and has played a pivotal role in supporting its growth and success.

Under her leadership, the NIHR Cambridge CRF has supported more than two hundred thousand patient visits, contributed to securing forty-three million in NIHR funding, and enabled groundbreaking research including the artificial pancreas, capsule sponge technology and Covid-19 clinical trials.

The 2025 UKCRF Network Senior Leadership Team; Paul Brown, Professor Saul Faust of NIHR Southhampton CRF, Caroline Saunders and Professor Jacky Smith of NIHR Manchester CRF

A Clinical Academic Physiotherapist at Queen’s University Belfast and Director of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, Professor Judy Bradley has played a leading role in expanding clinical research capacity across Northern Ireland.

Her work has helped secure major investment in research infrastructure, including the development of IREACH Health, while creating greater opportunities for patients to access and participate in research studies.

Professor Judy Bradley, presenting at the 2025 UK & Ireland CRF Conference

I was thrilled to see two of the most respected members of our UKCRF Network Community selected for the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prize Awards

Firstly, our erstwhile UKCRF Network Deputy Director, the incomparable Caroline Saunders was recognised for her exceptional leadership in delivering NIHR portfolio research and championing participation across health and care settings.

Over the past 25 years, she has been instrumental in developing a world-class research facility on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Secondly, one of the stars of this year’s outstanding Conference, Professor Judy Bradley, Clinical Academic Physiotherapist and Director of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility, was recognised for her longstanding commitment to strengthening research delivery and improving outcomes for people with respiratory conditions.

She has expanded clinical research capacity across Northern Ireland, secured major investment in research infrastructure and generated evidence that has informed national and international clinical guidelines.

Together, Caroline and Judy exemplify the leadership, vision and commitment that underpin world-leading health and care research, and much of what this wonderful network is about.

A massive congratulations to both on their well-deserved awards.

To learn more about the NIHR 20 celebrations, please visit https://www.nihr.ac.uk/nihr20