Martin Gossling is the Head of Innovation at University Hospital Southampton and Senior Associate Member at the Royal Institute of Medicine. Having successfully navigated through Cohort 7 of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, Martin has transitioned into a mentorship role, where he now guides and supports the next generation of innovators.
Name: Martin Gossling
Occupation: Head of Innovation at University Hospital Southampton and Senior Associate Member at the Royal Institute of Medicine
“With over 40 years of experience in medical device development and a track record of establishing and funding medical startups, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a mentor.
My journey began in the early 1980s when I trained as a product designer, which paved the way for a 30-year career in advanced materials and electronics. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with renowned organisations such as Motorola. My career then evolved into the field of digital movement analysis, where I was instrumental in developing a wearable medical device for use in orthopaedics. This significant achievement led me to work with the Royal Institute of Medicine as a Senior Associate Member in 2017, and later, I became a mentor on the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) programme.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I joined University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) as the Head of Commercial Innovation. In this role, I oversee more than 100 innovations and am responsible for developing new solutions to meet unique medical needs each year.”
Why did you choose to become a mentor on the NHS CEP, are you enjoying the experience and how have you supported your mentee/s so far?
“I chose to become a mentor on the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) because I wanted to leverage my extensive experience to assist those who are just beginning their journey in bringing innovative products to market. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness new entrepreneurs exceed their potential and to be part of their growth process.
The interaction with fresh ideas and the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of innovative concepts is something I deeply enjoy. Last year, I mentored five individuals, and I’m pleased to continue supporting some of them as they progress through their entrepreneurial endeavours.”
What do you think makes a good mentor and can you see the impact that mentoring is having on your mentee?
“A good mentor is someone who is not only a good listener but also possesses a deep and broad skill set, ideally with over 10 years of experience in their field. Such a mentor can provide valuable insights and guidance, drawing from a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience.
The impact of mentoring is often visible in the way mentees develop as individuals, gaining confidence and competence in their abilities. It’s rewarding to see them grow and succeed, knowing that my support has played a role in their journey.”
What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your professional career?
“Believe in yourself and in your capabilities”
Martin Gossling is one of over 300 professionals that volunteer there support to the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and support our next generation of innovators. If you are interested in supporting the programme visit our mentor pages
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH INNOVATION
