Silvia Merchant

Founder, programme lead and chartered finance professional with over 10 years' experience supporting innovation, service development and organisational change across health, research, and SME environments. Proven ability to translate complex ideas into structured, deliverable programmes, working collaboratively with academics, clinicians, innovators, employers and public-sector stakeholders. Highly organised, methodical and outcomes-focused, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experienced in flexible, assignment-based work requiring autonomy, prioritisation and rapid alignment to programme objectives. Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and evidence-based innovation that improves patient and workforce outcomes.

Founder & Managing Director - Mood Wear Ltd

(2022-01)

Founder and programme lead for a women's health innovation focused on hormonal wellbeing, stress and workplace productivity, combining wearable biosensing research with digital health tools.

• Lead end-to-end innovation programmes from concept to pilot, aligning research, technology development, ethics, and stakeholder needs.
• Work in close collaboration with Teesside University, NHS-linked partners, industry specialists and regional innovation ecosystems.
• Principal Investigator / lead applicant on multiple funding programmes, including Innovate UK, NIHR PASF, Women in Innovation, and regional translational funding.
• Design and deliver surveys, focus groups and co-design workshops, ensuring patient and public involvement is embedded throughout.
• Translate complex clinical and physiological evidence into clear, actionable insights for employers, researchers and non-clinical audiences.
• Contribute to cross-cutting themes including health inequalities, women's health, mental wellbeing, workforce, and EDI.
• Manage programme planning, timelines, risk logs, budgets and reporting across multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Supported the development of an evidence-led, equitable women's health innovation with relevance across mental health, workforce wellbeing, prevention and digital health pathways.

Founder & Director - Vision Accountants

(2019-01)

Founder of a regulated professional services firm supporting SMEs, startups and high-growth organisations across finance, governance and operational delivery.

• Led multiple client programmes requiring structured planning, prioritisation, compliance and stakeholder communication.
• Supported tech and innovation-led businesses with financial modelling, funding readiness and governance structures.
• Worked autonomously in a flexible, assignment-led context, often balancing competing deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Produced high-quality written outputs including reports, funding narratives, board papers and advisory recommendations.
• Built trusted long-term relationships with clients by communicating complex information clearly and accessibly.

BSc - Economics