Head of Cross-Government Data Strategy, DHSC and NHSE Transformation Directorate Department

Junior Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

Dr Joseph Watts is Head of Cross-Government Data Strategy, Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. He is responsible for driving forward the departments ambitions in genomics and genomic-based healthcare, collaborating with industry, academia, the NHS and Genomics England. Prior to joining the Civil Service he was a research scientist, specialising in medicinal chemistry and structure-based drug-design. He is continually seeking ways to improve policy and delivery within Government based on a sound understanding of the subject matter and rigorous use of data and analytics.

In his previous role as Head of Regional Testing Sites, NHS Test & Trace for the Department of Health and Social Care he delivered a network of ~50 drive through testing sites and more than 400 Covid testing facilities nationwide.

Dr Joseph Watts holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry "The Synthesis of A-Ring Fluorinated Bile Acid Analogues" and MChem both awarded from the University of Southampton.