The National Institute for Health and Care Research Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) has announced new leadership appointments as it continues to drive forward innovation in mental health research across the UK.
Professor Jeremy Hall will take over as Chair of the MH-TRC, succeeding Professor Rachel Upthegrove, who has led the collaboration since 2023. Joining him in the leadership team will be Professor Matthew Broome, who has been appointed Deputy Chair.
Professor Hall currently serves as Deputy Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Oxford Health and is a leading psychiatrist and Professor of Translational Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. Having previously held the role of Deputy Chair within the MH-TRC, he has played a central role in supporting the collaboration’s growth and delivery.
Professor Hall said:
"I am honoured to take on the role of Chair and to build on the remarkable foundations established by Rachel Upthegrove and John Geddes. The MH-TRC has become a highly effective national collaboration, bringing together the expertise needed to accelerate progress in mental health research. I look forward to working with colleagues across the network to support innovation, strengthen partnerships and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with mental health conditions."
Professor Broome brings significant experience to the deputy role. He currently serves as the MH-TRC academic lead at the University of Birmingham, where he is Chair in Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health and Director of the Institute for Mental Health. He also leads the MH-TRC Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre.
Professor Broome said:
“As a psychiatrist, I see every week how much we still need better treatments for people with serious mental illness, and how often young people wait too long for effective help. The MH-TRC is a key element in how the UK turns its research strength into real improvements in care. I’m honoured to join Jeremy and Rachel in leading it, and to make sure that change reaches communities across the whole country.”
The leadership transition comes as the MH-TRC continues to deliver the Mental Health Mission, a £63 million investment bringing together leading researchers and clinicians from across the UK. The programme focuses on tackling unmet need in mental health services while reducing the substantial burden of mental illness.
The initiative has already delivered several large-scale collaborative projects designed to improve patient outcomes and accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice.
One example is the Early Psychosis Informatics into Care (EPICare) study, a national patient registry platform that supports improved care delivery for people living with psychosis.
Meanwhile, the PAX-D study, supported by the MH-TRC Mission Mood Disorders Network and funded by the NIHR, has explored the use of pramipexole as a potential treatment for treatment-resistant depression. The research has since attracted international industry interest, leading to collaboration with US-based Alto Neuroscience and further strengthening the UK's mental health translational research ecosystem.
Professor Hall will assume the role from Professor Rachel Upthegrove, Director of the NIHR BRC Oxford Health, who will now become Emeritus Chair, succeeding Professor John Geddes.
Professor Geddes has served in the Emeritus Chair position for the past three years, having previously helped establish the MH-TRC before going on to serve as Chair.
The NIHR and MH-TRC membership have paid tribute to both Professor Upthegrove and Professor Geddes for their leadership and commitment to advancing mental health research across the UK.
During her tenure, Professor Upthegrove oversaw a significant period of growth for the collaboration, helping to expand its network of researchers, clinicians and partners while securing major investment opportunities that have strengthened the MH-TRC's national impact.
Professor Upthegrove said:
"It has been a privilege to help guide the MH-TRC during a period of growth and ambition. What has always stood out is the commitment of colleagues, partners and public contributors across the network to improving the lives of people affected by mental illness. I am delighted to continue supporting the collaboration as Emeritus Chair and look forward to seeing the next chapter unfold."
With a new leadership team now in place, the MH-TRC is positioned to build on its achievements and continue accelerating the development of innovative treatments, technologies and care pathways for people affected by mental health conditions across the UK.
Image credit: National Institute for Health and Care Research
