Sian Freer

Chief Operating Officer, CNTD

Prior to joining CNTD, Sian was Head of Research Management at LSTM. She has been a member of staff at LSTM since 2006, joining the organisation to set up and lead the Central Research Office, moving to her present role of Chief Operating Officer of LSTM’s Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2013.

Her responsibilities extend throughout all areas of the organisation including strategic planning and execution, and corporate management. With extensive experience in management and leadership in both academic and commercial activities, she has worked in academia and research for over 25 years, managing clinical and scientific research as well as implementation programmes, at the University of Birmingham and LSTM.

Sian has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Development and an MSc in International Public Health.

Sian is the Chief Operating Officer of CNTD and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and general management of the Centre. Sian leads the delivery of CNTD’s LF Elimination Programme and allocations of people and resources. She has responsibility for a team of programme managers, researchers and administrators, based in the UK and overseas, supporting national NTD programme in 12 countries across Africa and Asia.

In this role, Sian has helped establish CNTD as a respected partner in the delivery of LF treatment and care as well as a leading implementer of operational research. Under her management, CNTD has achieved an A+ rating of its programme by the Department for International Development.