Official seal of approval for University of Central Lancashire’s Clinical Trials Unit

By Rob Kelly

16 Oct 2024

Chris Sutton

The University of Central Lancashire’s clinical trials unit has been awarded full registration status after almost five successful years working under a provisional standing.

This recognition for the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) makes it only the second in the North West Coast region to hold this fully registered status, which is awarded by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC).

 It joins a group of 49 units nationally, which are recognised as having the experience and facilities to design and co-ordinate robust clinical studies into improving health and care for patients.

The unit, based at the University’s Preston Campus, is the only fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Since being awarded provisional status in January 2020, it has been involved with a number of key trials, most notably the STIMULATE-ICP Study, a large, long-Covid trial which has successfully completed the recruitment of 1,145 participants. 

 The study portfolio also includes, amongst others, the COMMITS (Confirming the Mechanism of Motivational Interviewing Therapy after Stroke) trial, which is testing ways to support adjustment to life after stroke and is in the recruitment phase, and the MANTRA trial, which is just starting and will determine the dose and duration of antibiotics needed after surgery for a broken jaw.

The Lancashire CTU Director Professor Dame Caroline Watkins said: “We are delighted and proud to be the first fully-registered CTU in Lancashire and South Cumbria. This recognition is testament to the progress the CTU has made over the last few years and means that more vital health and social care research can be conducted in the region, which will benefit the community both socially and economically.”

 Adding further strength to the Lancashire CTU, the Unit will welcome back Chris Sutton as Professor of Clinical Trials in January 2025.

Chris worked at the University of Central Lancashire for almost 30 years before moving to the University of Manchester in 2018 to become a senior lecturer in Clinical Trial Statistics in the Centre for Biostatistics (his current role), and deputy director (Methodology) and Lead Statistician for Manchester CTU until its closure in 2023.

He brings with him a wealth of experience as he returns to the University.

He said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the University of Central Lancashire, and Lancashire CTU in particular. 

"Following the award of full registration by UKCRC, I’m really looking forward to working with Professor Watkins and the rest of the team to enhance and broaden the CTU’s strengths. 

“My recent experience and ongoing collaborations in mental health trials will develop its portfolio in this key area of healthcare.  Likewise, my methodological collaborations in trial conduct research, including the development and evaluation of interventions to improve the inclusivity of under-represented groups, links perfectly with the CTU’s burgeoning research in this area.”

 The UKCRC Network is working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research and provides a forum for partners across the county to work together to transform the clinical research environment.

The UKCRC brings together the NHS, research funders, industry, regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges, patient groups and academics, in a UK-wide environment that facilitates and promotes high quality clinical research for the benefit of patients.

More information about the Lancashire CTU and how to work with the Unit is available on the University’s website - https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/institutes/life/lancashire-clinical-trials-unit

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

2

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

3

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

4

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

5

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day Derry Green

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day

21 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin