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Nikos Panagiotou

@nikospanagiotou

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Experienced healthcare leader specialising in haematology, blood transfusion and pathology service improvement.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior roles leading pathology or lab services where I can drive quality, regulatory compliance, operational improvement and leadership development.

I am an experienced Healthcare Manager and clinical scientist with deep expertise in haematology, blood transfusion, stem cell processing and multidisciplinary pathology. I have led laboratory start-ups and service turnarounds, secured ISO15189 accreditation, regained MHRA blood crossmatching licensure, and delivered measurable savings through business process reconfiguration and strong project management.

I design and deliver leadership and CPD programmes for healthcare scientists, manage quality assurance and regulatory inspections (UKAS, MHRA), and drive operational performance while prioritising patient safety. I hold advanced healthcare leadership qualifications including a Doctor of Business Administration and am a Chartered Scientist with international advisory roles.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Laboratory Director

Diagnostics 360

Jul 2023 - Aug 2025 (2 years 1 month)

Secured ISO 15189 accreditation for the laboratory, reconfigured business processes to improve efficiency and Quality Management, and supported business development to increase diagnostic service revenue.

ISO 15189 Quality Management Laboratory Accreditation Operations Management Strategic Planning Regulatory Compliance Team Leadership

Head of Pathology

Cleveland Clinic London

Aug 2021 - Jun 2023 (1 year 10 months)

Led start-up of a new pathology laboratory, recruited and developed a high-performing team, validated equipment and maintained departmental KPIs focused on patient safety and service delivery.

Laboratory Start Up Recruitment KPIs Quality Assurance team development

Pathology Department Manager

Spire Dunedin Hospital

Feb 2019 - Jun 2021 (2 years 4 months)

Managed the pathology department, represented pathology on governance committees, drove financial and staff performance, and led the department through a UKAS inspection with zero non-compliances.

Financial Management UKAS Inspections Staff Development Quality Assurance Performance Management UKAS Inspection

Deputy Head of Pathology

HCA Healthcare UK - The London Bridge Hospital

Oct 2013 - Jan 2019 (5 years 3 months)

Oversaw service provision across haematology, chemical pathology and blood transfusion, supported competency programmes and maintained high operational standards across the department.

Transfusions Service Delivery Staff Training Quality Control

Senior BMS, Blood Sciences

The London Clinic

Jan 2011 - Sep 2013 (2 years 8 months)

Oversaw haematology operations, participated in out-of-hours shifts, developed CPD and competency assessment programmes for Blood Sciences and Blood Cell Morphology.

Haematology Operations Blood Cell Morphology Shift Management Quality Assurance

Locum BMS, Haematology

Chase Farm Hospital

Apr 2010 - Dec 2010 (8 months)

Performed routine and specialist haematology analyses, blood film microscopy for parasitology and oncology, and contributed to clinical laboratory teaching as a visiting lecturer.

Blood Film Microscopy Clinical Teaching Phlebotomy

Pathology Manager

Gordon Laboratory Group

Apr 2009 - Mar 2010 (11 months)

Managed routine and specialist pathology services across multiple sites, acted as regional manager overseeing four laboratories, and ensured service integration across haematology, microbiology and biochemistry.

Multi Site Management Regional Operations Integration Team Leadership Laboratory management

Section Leader, Blood Transfusion

Barnet General Hospital

Apr 2008 - Mar 2009 (11 months)

Led the blood transfusion section, trained medical laboratory assistants and trainees, and participated in on-call and out-of-hours rotas to maintain transfusion services.

Transfusions Staff Training On Call Emergency Response

Specialist BMS, Haematology & Transfusion

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals

Sep 2006 - Mar 2008 (1 year 6 months)

Worked across haematology and blood transfusion, participated in on-call rotas, and supported specialist diagnostic services within the NHS trust.

Transfusions Diagnostics Quality Control Patient Safety

Biomedical Scientist, Haematology

Southampton University Hospital

Sep 2003 - Aug 2005 (1 year 11 months)

Trained towards state registration, rotated through laboratory disciplines including molecular pathology, and participated in out-of-hours service delivery.

Phlebotomy