Global digital leader joins Daiser advisory board

Dominic James, the former global head of digital health innovation at US HQ’d pharmaceutical multi-national Merck, is to take up the role with new healthtec platform, Daiser. Launched just last year, Daiser is an AI-native, modular digital ecosystem that helps people make and deploy digital health services quickly and without technical experience.

Their ‘Lego brick’ digital approach means that care systems can have one platform that changes according to the needs of a patient - from diabetes to dementia - all in one place.

Dominic brings three decades of experience as a successful innovation consultancy co-founder, management consulting partner (Deloitte, Ogilvy, SBC) and data scientist, and latterly was global health innovation leader for Merck, where he was global head for roles across strategy, consumer experience and digital health innovation and alliances. In 2024, Dom stepped outside of the day-to-day corporate world to focus his energy to drive improvements in health outcomes through innovative digital technologies with his new company, Future Centric.

Daiser was co-founded by Dr Mike Trenell, a UK-based clinical scientist and entrepreneur, and New York-based Dr Adam Wootton, a celebrated tech specialist, widely recognised for his work in building digital systems for health across the globe.

Dominic said: “From our first meeting, it was clear that Mike and I shared a belief that the implementation of digital health solutions are too difficult and too expensive - that common thread allowed us to explore ideas very quickly. When he revealed he was launching a platform that aimed to solve those issues, I knew I wanted to lean in.

“Platforms like Daiser are crucial in making sure innovators in the health space aren’t restricted by regulation, cost or technical ability. Daiser will bring to market smart, digital solutions that will save health services worldwide time, money and resource. More importantly, these services will lead to better health for a vast range of ailments and illnesses.”

Though just a year old, Daiser is already partnering with some of the UK’s most respected institutions, including the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub (SYDHH) and the EPSRC’s EdgeAI Hub. It’s fast becoming a go-to platform for those looking to bring cutting-edge AI into real-world care. Daiser has also been selected ahead of thousands of other healthtech startups across Europe, the Middle East and Africa be a part of the 25-strong Google for Startups’ Growth Academy: AI for Health.

The SYDHH, a multi-million pound collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, brings together a diverse range of partners, including academics, researchers, NHS organisations, GPs, mental health services, patient and public groups, industry partners, engineers, designers, and computer scientists.

Mike Trenell added: “I’m thrilled that Dom chose to support Daiser. He’s widely regarded as one of the brightest and most experienced minds in health. His work in boardrooms at the very top of the global pharmaceutical industry will add new levels of understanding and insight as we continue to grow our operations at Daiser.

“We have a shared passion to transform digital health solutions. Banking, retail and even our social interactions have all integrated themselves into our daily lives, but sadly the health industry remains behind the curve. That needs to change in order to tackle global health issues - which is the purpose of Daiser.”