Accelagen welcomes Dr. Eleanor Guest as Executive Director of Operations, bringing 14+ years of clinical research expertise to drive growth and innovation.

As a CRO, our work is paved by milestones—and as we continue to grow, bringing the right people on board is just as critical as delivering results for our innovative global clients. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Eleanor Guest as our new Executive Director of Operations.

With over 14 years in the clinical research space, Eleanor (‘Elle’) has been at the forefront of Asia-Pacific growth and operational strategy. Now, she’s bringing that expertise to Accelagen at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth. Let’s find out a little more about her and what attracted her to this new challenge.

A career spanning the globe

With a PhD in Pharmacokinetics from The University of Manchester, where her research focused on predicting drug-drug interactions, Elle began her career in the CRO industry in the UK. Working across feasibility and medical informatics before relocating to Australia, she led the expansion of a global CRO’s first APAC entity, leading their expansion into seven regional entities and has also managed workforce planning for over 600 clinical operations staff worldwide.

A sharp analytical mind that informs her approach to strategic decision-making, Elle’s vast expertise spans stakeholder engagement, process improvement, and resource forecasting.

“When I saw this role at Accelagen, I saw an opportunity to use the skills I’d learned across all of the diverse roles in my career so far, along with taking on a more senior role in leading and contributing directly to overall business growth.”

Shaping the future of Accelagen’s operations

Elle’s appointment in February 2025 comes as Accelagen continues to scale, refining its internal structures to support faster study start-up times, stronger team efficiencies, and even better client outcomes.

“This is a really exciting stage for Accelagen,” she shares. “We’re growing fast, and my focus is on strengthening our operations, fine-tuning our systems, and making sure our teams have everything they need to do their best work. It’s about finding that balance between speed, efficiency, and quality—while keeping our strong culture front and centre.”

As part of our executive leadership team, Elle will oversee all aspects of operations from clinical operations and regulatory functions to biostatistics and data management, working closely with Greg Plunkett (CEO), Mat Palmer (Chief Growth & Commercial Officer), Kylie Lord (Chief Financial Officer), and Rosa Plunkett (Executive Director of Project Implementation) to drive Accelagen’s next phase of strategic growth.

People-first leadership in a growing industry

Elle was drawn to Accelagen not just for its growth trajectory, but for its commitment to people-first leadership—something that’s increasingly rare in an industry where scaling up can sometimes come at the cost of company culture.

“Accelagen is different. There’s a real investment in developing people, fostering strong connections, and making sure every team member feels valued and supported. That’s a huge part of why the company has been so successful, and I’m excited to be part of shaping that as we grow.”

Looking ahead

With the biotech industry continuing to gather momentum after a period of turbulence, Elle sees huge opportunities for Accelagen to strengthen its position as a leader in efficient, high-quality clinical research and supporting the next wave of biotech innovation.

“Australian biotech is advancing at an incredible pace, with world-class research, innovative companies, and strong industry partnerships driving the sector forward. It’s an exciting time to be in clinical research, and at Accelagen—not just in terms of operational efficiency, but in how we drive innovation to help shape the future.”

With her deep expertise, strategic mindset, and passion for building strong teams and smart systems, Elle is set to play a key role in Accelagen’s next chapter—and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board.

As we continue to expand, we’re looking for passionate, talented individuals who share our mission to accelerate human health. Interested in joining us? Explore our Careers page →