Executive Commitee

Andrew has worked in the field of Andrology for over 10 years, at the Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Andrew completed a MRes on sperm morphology assessment in 2019 at Edge Hill University and became a HCPC-registered Clinical Andrologist in 2021 having completed Scientific Training Programme. Andrew is keen to expand support for reproductive trainees for ARCS, especially those working towards HCPC registration through the development of logbooks. Andrew is a member of the UK NEQAS Steering Committee and is looking to strengthen the ties between ARCS and NEQAS, to promote best practices and quality assurance within the field of reproductive science.

Dr Amy Barrie is the Chief Scientific Officer for the FutureLife Group and Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. Amy studied Physiology at the University of Manchester, followed by a Master’s degree in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine at University College London. Amy was awarded a PhD in 2017 entitled ‘Time-lapse Systems: Incubation and Annotation’. Amy has over 15 years’ experience within Clinical Embryology and has a special interest in time-lapse technology. Amy has published a number of papers and book chapters on this topic and remains involved in research in this area. In addition to ensuring the safe and effective running of the FutureLife Group laboratories, Amy is an Executive member of ARCS and the Senior Deputy for the ESHRE Embryology Special Interest Group.

Meurig is an Associate Professor in Interdisciplinary Healthcare Sciences at the Centre for Human Reproductive Science (ChRS), in the University of Birmingham. In addition to this role, Meurig is the Deputy-Director of ChRS and is the HFEA Research Personal Responsible for the University of Birmingham (Centre 0209). His work integrates advanced mathematical modelling, fluid dynamics and imaging‑based approaches with clinical andrology to develop next‑generation diagnostics for male subfertility.

Rachel has worked in the field of embryology for 21 years, starting her clinical training at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee where she completed a PhD in Developmental Medicine. In 2008 she moved to the Hewitt Fertility Centre Liverpool, one of the UK’s largest assisted conception providers, as Senior and then Lead Clinical Embryologist. In 2014 she moved to Glasgow Royal Infirmary as Consultant Embryologist and HFEA Person Responsible where she led the scientific service in delivering cutting edge techniques and achieved a significant improvement in clinical and laboratory success rates. In 2017 Rachel returned to the Hewitt Fertility Centres in Liverpool and Knutsford as the Scientific Director and HFEA Person Responsible, where she continues to strive for excellence in laboratory techniques, and in clinical and laboratory success rates. The Hewitt Centres are leaders in the provision of training for future Reproductive Scientists with 11 Andrology and Embryology STPs currently training at the two centres. Rachel is passionate about the training and professional development of Reproductive Scientists, and is Co-Chair for the ARCS Education SIG who are working together to review and develop all curricula available for the ARCS membership. Rachel is also current Chair for NEQAS Reproductive Science Steering Committee for Embryology.

Davina is currently Person Responsible & lab manager at Jessop Fertility in Sheffield. She has worked in the field of embryology for over 20 years, beginning her clinical training at Hull IVF Unit in 2001; where she completed the ACE Certificate in Clinical Embryology. She has a Masters degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology and is an associate lecturer with the University of Sheffield as part of the MSc course in Reproductive Sciences. Davina joined the ARCS Executive Committee in 2023 and is also the Chair of the Communications subcommittee.

I began my scientific career at Birmingham University investigating the molecular processes that control the behaviour of cancer cells. In 2004, I joined the Nuffield Department of Women & Reproductive Health (NDWRH) at the University of Oxford to study the molecules involved in early human embryogenesis. I was appointed as Laboratory Manager for the NDWRH’s new MSc in Clinical Embryology in 2008 and played an instrumental role in setting up the course. In addition to my teaching and managerial duties for the MSc, I undertake research into molecular mechanisms of oocyte activation at fertilisation. Other research interests include developing techniques to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys with cancer and the use of nanoparticle- or exosome-based platforms for the delivery of molecular compounds to gametes (https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/team/celine-jones).

Shirley is the Lead Biomedical Scientist in Non Gynae Cytology and Andrology at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent. She has been involved in the Andrology services in Kent since 1984 and has been the technical lead since 1987. In 2009 she was in the first cohort of andrologists who completed the Diagnostic Semen Analysis logbook developed by the Association of Biomedical Andrologists (ABA). Subsequently she was co-opted onto the ABA committee and was the Membership Secretary for 8 years. Shirley, like many others in District General Hospitals (DGH), has often had to struggle for funding and recognition of a service, which is often seen as not being core business. She appreciates that as a Biomedical Scientist and not an Embryologist it can sometimes feel daunting to take part in forums and ask your questions, but it is only by taking an active role in the society that all areas of Andrology are truly represented. Shirley knows how important it is to share experiences of the different issues, which occur in a DGH, in order to balance those of more specialised colleagues in the society. She looks forward to being a contact point for other ARCS members especially for those in smaller laboratories and for those who want their concerns raised.

Hannah Newby is employed as a Regional Lab Director at Care Fertility, where she uses her expertise in multi-site management to oversee the Care clinics in the North of England; Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds.

Hannah is is qualified to Consultant Clinical Scientist level as a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, demonstrating her deep understanding of reproductive science.

Passionate about nurturing future talent, Hannah plays a vital role in teaching on the STP training scheme. She has been involved in writing the curriculum and currently serves as the lead content writer for the final year assessment exams.

Hannah has maintained a prominent and active role within the professional body; the Association of Clinical and Reproductive Scientists (ARCS), throughout her career. Formerly Chair of the Practice and Policies Committee and currently ARCS Secretary and Deputy Chair.

Anne is an HCPC registered Clinical Embryologist and Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists. She is passionate about education in the field and is a lecturer in Reproductive Medicine for the University of Dundee postgraduate Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception course. She has previously worked as a Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government reviewing the National workforce of healthcare scientists and organised Scotland’s Healthcare Science Week to promote and engage young people to the field of ART. She is a qualified Person Responsible to the HFEA and serves as an expert member on the East of Scotland Research Ethics Committee.

Valerie, a founder partner of the Association of Clinical Embryologists, graduated in Biology in 1990 and began training as an embryologist under the tutorship of Lord Winston. She has since gained a masters degree in Health Promotion, PhD in Reproductive Immunology, Fellowship of the Royal Collage of Pathologists, Academy of Healthcare Science and Institute of Biomedical Scientists and is registered as a consultant clinical scientist specialising in genomic medicine within reproductive science. Working within her specialism to promote training of embryologists Val is ex-chair and member of the panel of examiners for reproductive science for the RCPath and assessor for the Academy of Clinical Science, Academy for Health Care Science and guest lecturer for STP at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is training lead for the Association of Reproductive Clinical Scientists support staff, member of the ARCS continuing professional development committee and co-chair of the ARCS education committee.

George is a Clinical Andrologist at the Birmingham Women's Hospital. His master’s research project involved developing a new microfluidic device design for use in sperm preparation during ART and subsequently completed his STP training at the Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre in Shrewsbury. George joined the ARCS Executive Committee in 2026 and is also on the CPD subcommitte.

Debbie is a Clinical Embryologist at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Coventry. She became a member of the (previous) ACE Training Committee (TC) and an ACE Certificate Assessor in 2013. She subsequently became co-chair of the ACE Training Committee in 2018. Since 2011 she has maintained a research and education focus as a visiting academic within Warwick Medical School. She has been involved in the NSHCS STP programme (Reproductive Science) since its inception as a Supervisor, Training Officer, OSFA writer, Assessor, shortlister and interviewer. Debbie is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and completed the HSSE to become a fellow of the Academy of Healthcare Science (FAHCS) in 2020. Debbie is currently a member of the ARCS Education Committee where she leads the ARCS Training Guide working group.

Eleanor has worked in the field of Reproductive Medicine since 1999. She is a highly experienced, ICSI and biopsy-trained, HCPC registered Clinical Embryologist, and a Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists, having worked in a large London NHS Trust for most of her career. She qualified as an accredited coach in 2023, and founded the first Fertility Coaching service, fulfilling a passion to improve support for fertility patients. She has always been keen to give back to the profession, volunteering to join the editorial team of 'The Embryologist' produced for the Association of Clinical Embryologist in 2001. She took over as Editor soon after, and has continued in this role, producing a quarterly magazine for the last 20 years, now as Editor-in Chief of the e-zine known as 'The Reproductive Scientist'. . She was originally elected to the ARCS Executive committee in 2021 and re-elected for a second term - also serving on the Comms sub-committee. In this role she has coordinated a major upgrade of the membership database, initiated an EDI network for ARCS, developed ARCS social media communications and is lead for the ARCS mentorship programme.