Leadership and Advisory Board
Who We Are
Carlos Diez Ruza
Digital4Health Worldwide CEO and Chairman
Carlos Díez-Ruza is one of the most influential entrepreneurs and executives in the digital health and HealthTech sectors. An internationally recognised expert, Carlos combines a comprehensive perspective with hands-on leadership, mastering both patient centered solutions and advanced innovations applied to clinical environments and healthcare systems. In collaboration with Starwood Capital, a global real estate investment fund managing $116 billion, Carlos launched Digital4Health by Kudos (Digital Health Cities, Valleys, and Campuses), the largest global ecosystem by company volume and space, starting with the Global Digital Health Valley in Madrid, integrating research, health services, and advanced technology.
Carlos chairs several high-impact organisations, including Digital4Health, ICON Group, Avanzia Pharma, and the MAD eHealth cluster, leading the development of solutions that bridge entrepreneurship and healthcare transformation.
Joanne Bekis CMgr MCMI
Digital4Health UK Co founder and CEO
Joanne Bekis is an established CMI chartered leader with a hands on approach and 'can do' mindset. Joanne co-founded Digital4Health UK, part of Digital4Health Worldwide. An ecosystem that spans 60 cities, across 30 countries, and 5 continents, with around 12000 SME's and growing. Joanne's 30+ year career includes working in precision engineering (JIT), advanced manufacturing before moving into further and higher education and becoming a specialist business advisor and consultant. Naturally evolved into the hospital, healthcare and mental health and wellbeing sector. As a STEM ambassador she is dedicated to harness talent, and coach next generations on their career journey.
A volunteer and team member of the 'Lets Fund More Women', who consult with 'Women in Innovation' part of Innovate UK. Supporting the development of their 10 commitments pledged in 2025 to support more start up female founders access funding . Joanne contributed to the evidence/data backed report issued to Women in Innovation in April 2025. Passionate about advancing healthcare solutions and digital adoption, an advocate of collaboration and building effective partnerships that bring positive change, sustainable outputs and social value to community and people.
Prof Dean Fathers DL
Chair of Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, Non Executive Director
As well as being an Advisor to the Digital4Health Board, Dean is Chair of Klip Global, the Health Innovation Network for the NHS North East and North Cumbria region and Chair of the Life Sciences Board of the Academy for Health Care Science (where he is also a NED). With an extensive commercial career, Dean is also an advisor to digital health organisations ATMPS, Blüm Technology Group, CAL International, Cerina Health and NSmart Solutions.
As Chair of the Midlands Engine Health Care and Life Science Board, Dean founded the Midlands Engine Digital Health Working Group and co-Chaired the Medilink Midlands Digital Health Working Group. He is also on the advisory Board for the Centre for AI Enterprise Excellence at Aston University Business School. Dean holds Honorary Professor roles with Nottingham, Lincoln and Liverpool Hope Universities.
Prof Alexeis Garcia Perez
Director of the Aston-Capgemini Centre of Excellence for Enterprise AI and Professor of Digital Business & Society at Aston University
Prof Alexeis Garcia Perez holds positions as a Visiting Academic at Georgetown University and Coventry University, and is Editor of the Knowledge Management Research & Practice journal (Taylor & Francis) and the Working Methods for Knowledge Management book series (Emerald).
Professor Garcia Perez’s research focuses on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge Management, and Enterprise Innovation, particularly exploring the sociotechnical implications of AI-driven transformation in business and society. Holding a PhD in Information Systems & Knowledge Management and a background in Computer Science, he has co-authored 5 books and over 150 publications. He has a proven track record in securing research funding, supervising doctoral students, and collaborating with industry and policymakers to translate academic insights into practical solutions.
Rob Reisel
MTIF Technical Director
Robert Reisel is MTIF’s Technical Director with 14 years of industrial experience. Robert has witnessed MTIF’s journey from inception (2020) through to completion and growth into a sector leading accelerator for MedTech innovation. Robert oversees the Technical Team, is responsible for the management and implementation of processes within technical environments and works across the team on multiple projects, liaising with senior leadership and developing relationships with current and new clients.
Passionate, authentic, creative and customer-focused Senior Leader with hands on experience working in Nano-Coatings Sector, leading a Textiles programme making water repellent sports/high tech garments. Leading an international team, developing and implementing the technology for electronics on Motorola's production site in China. Leading an SME Medical Device manufacturer and developed a new generation of hydrogel wound dressings from concept through to the international market launch and their first CE Marking. Relocating overseas to a large international German Medical Device manufacturer, he developed a new global portfolio of incontinence adult nappies from concept through to the international market launch. He also remediated Medical Device Directive (MDD) Technical File to EU Medical Device Regulations (EU MDR) Technical File.
