Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has announced Dr Nicole Samuel as the new Commercial Director for the Sheffield Children’s National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT).

Nicole will lead the development of the commercial strategy for the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT), to support the Trust’s ambition to become a national hub to create, test and spread child health technologies.

With over a decade of experience across academia, industry, and the NHS, including as a practising doctor, Nicole brings a rare perspective of clinical insight and commercial expertise. Her career has spanned international consultancy, strategic partnerships, new hospital builds, and the development of institutes of excellence, all with a consistent focus: improving health at scale.

The NCCHT will open in 2026 at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, during Sheffield Children’s 150th anniversary year. It will bring together care, research and innovation to transform healthcare delivery and act as a beacon of excellence for the NHS in developing and adopting new healthcare technologies for children.

The joint appointment of the Commercial Director across Sheffield Children’s and Legacy Park Ltd exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking collaboration essential for driving meaningful change.

Nicole said: “As a trained medical professional, I’ve always cared about people’s health. Joining Sheffield Children’s and Legacy Park Ltd as Commercial Director for the NCCHT is an exciting opportunity to help build on impressive foundations and develop something truly different — all with the goal of improving health for children and young people.

“Across the NHS, academia, industry and system partners there’s a shared understanding of the biggest health challenges and many of the right ideas to address them. The NCCHT will create an opportunity where those ideas and people can come together in new ways to turn innovation into practice, improving healthcare and lives on a wide scale.

“With a forward-looking policy landscape and ambitious initiatives like the NCCHT, we have a real opportunity to look beyond our norm, share expertise and be bold in our approach to deliver change and support the best possible future for children and young people. I’m looking forward to meeting more people who are excited to be part of this.”

John Williams, Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at Sheffield Children’s, said: “We are ambitious about the future of healthcare for children and young people, as we have been since we were founded in 1876. Appointing a Commercial Director is a pivotal moment as we reimagine healthcare through innovation and continue to deliver outstanding care. Nicole’s unique experience of clinical and commercial expertise, her commitment to collaboration, and her mission to improve health on a widescale make her an exciting addition to Sheffield Children’s.”

Chris Low, Chief Executive at Legacy Park Ltd said: “Nicole’s appointment is fantastic news, she will be a real game-changer for the National Centre for Child Health Technology and the wider Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. What really came across during the recruitment process was Nicole’s talent, humility, and the determination to succeed – qualities that are vital to making major developments a success. Legacy Park Ltd is delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Further announcements relating to commercial opportunities will be shared in coming weeks and months.