Richard Ballerand is an Axolotl Associates partner and digital health engagement advisor. A former Royal United Services Institute Fellow, he is passionate about health resilience and public engagement, as well as HDR UK’s vision. He was educated in law, economics, and psychology, has a dual defence and finance background, and travelled widely as military liaison officer and strategic consultant.  He later served as a non-exec or trustee on think tanks, boards, and councils.

With roles on several NHS Trusts, he serves as lay member on the National Data Guardian Public Dialogue Oversight Group, a NICE Technology Appraisal Committee, the NHSx National Data Collaborative, an NIHR Health Technology Assessment Prioritisation Committee, The Health Improvement Network Advisory Committee, and the London Clinical Senate Council (chairing its Patient and Public Voice Group).

He is a former NIHR Improvement Leader Fellow, current European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation Training Fellow, and European Medicines Agency / Innovative Medicines Initiative European patient expert. He draws on extensive lived experience of the British, French, and American healthcare systems, including family advocacy and care coordination. Richard has special interests in those with invisible disabilities and the challenges facing the ex-military and diverse groups.