In Conversation with Heather Howarth: Leading with Care

In this instalment of our In Conversation with... series, we catch up with Heather Howarth , Associate Director of Project and Patient Management at VCTC.

Heather’s approach to clinical operations is rooted in clear communication, strong teamwork, and always putting patients first.

In this conversation, Heather talks about the realities of managing complex trials, the value of staying adaptable, and how her team works together to keep studies running smoothly - all while making sure patients feel informed and supported every step of the way.

🔹 What inspired you to pursue a career in clinical operations, and what path did you take to reach this position?

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2018 with an MSci in Biochemistry and Genetics. I really enjoyed the academic side of the degree and decided that a lab-based career wasn’t right for me. I decided to apply for a job in clinical research where I felt I could use my science background and make a difference to patient’s lives.

🔹 In your experience, what are the key challenges in managing clinical operations, and how do you approach overcoming them to ensure the success of clinical trials?

One of the key challenges in managing clinical operations is that no two trials are the same. Each study brings its own complexities - from differences in therapeutic areas and protocols to varying systems and sponsor requirements. This variability becomes especially challenging when managing multiple studies concurrently.

To overcome these challenges, I’ve found that thorough preparation and effective communication are essential. At VCTC, we always keep patients at the heart of everything we do, so ensuring that their visits run smoothly is a top priority. This starts with clear training, well-maintained documentation, and aligned expectations across the team. Clear, open communication - both internally and externally - allows us to identify potential issues early and resolve them collaboratively.

🔹 Patient engagement is crucial in clinical research. Could you share some strategies you've found effective in enhancing patient participation and retention in clinical trials?

Patient recruitment and engagement have become increasingly challenging as clinical trial protocols grow more complex. One effective strategy I’ve found is identifying key contact points with participants at the start of the study. By scheduling regular, intentional interactions, we’re able to keep patients informed, involved, and reassured throughout the trial. We also focus on providing clear, concise, and relevant information at each stage. There is a huge amount of information provided to participants during the study so we make sure the team is always available to answer questions and clarify anything that may be confusing.

🔹 The clinical research landscape is continually evolving. What trends or innovations do you find most promising, and how do you see them impacting the future of clinical operations?

One of the most promising trends in clinical research is the growing emphasis on early and meaningful patient involvement in the design and delivery of clinical trials. There's been a clear shift from a researcher-led approach to a more collaborative model, where patients - who are the true experts in living with their conditions - play a central role. By actively involving them from the outset, we can design studies that are more relevant, inclusive, and practical.

Here at VCTC we specialise in decentralised trials, using pop up clinics to take the trial into the community. This approach has helped to reduce the patient burden across our trials and increased the patient population that we can access. We are no longer looking only for patients who are willing to travel hours to a site, we can take the trial to the patient instead.

🔹 Reflecting on your journey so far, what aspects of your work in clinical operations do you find most rewarding, and what advice would you offer to those aspiring to enter this field?

I love working in clinical operations! Every day is different and there is always a challenge to be solved creatively. The most rewarding part is when you receive good feedback from both patients and sponsors on a trial – being able to collect high quality data in a patient centric manner is our ultimate goal and one I am pleased to say that we meet in all of our trials!

For anyone starting out in clinical operations I would recommend getting as much exposure to different roles as possible. We are all one team working towards the same goal so the more that you can understand and appreciate what every role brings to the team, the better the team will function

Heather’s insights offer a real glimpse into the day-to-day of clinical operations - the problem-solving, the teamwork, and the constant focus on patients.

It’s clear that a thoughtful, collaborative approach can make a big difference, both for trial success and for the people taking part.

A big thank you to Heather for sharing her experience with us. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about what we do, feel free to get in touch with the team.