MHRA appoints Michael Rhodes as medical director of devices

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has appointed Michael Rhodes to be its new medical director of devices.

He will take up the role on November 8 and replaces Dr Susanne Ludgate who is retiring in December after 15 years in the post and 21 years working for the Agency.

Rhodes has been a consultant surgeon since 1995, specialising in weight loss, hernia, gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgery, and has sat on NICE's Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee for the last four years.

Professor Sir Kent Woods, chief executive of the MHRA, said: “I am delighted that Michael is joining the MHRA. His clinical expertise and experience will be vital in our role of safeguarding public health and ensuring medical devices are fit for purpose.

“Dr Susanne Ludgate has been a huge asset to the MHRA during her time here and she has been a continued source of good clinical advice to health professionals and the public. She is well-known and respected throughout the healthcare profession and industry.”

Dr Ludgate joined the Medical Devices Agency in 1991, before it merged with its medicines counterpart in 2003 to form the MHRA. She served as senior medical officer until 1997, when she was appointed she was appointed clinical director.