Synexus' Michael Fort has been named CEO of the Year at the finals of the British Venture Capital Association's (BVCA) Portfolio Company Management Awards. 

Michael, who joined Synexus in 2001 as Commercial Director became CEO in 2006 and has been the driving force behind the company's rapid expansion to become the largest multinational company dedicated to the recruitment and running of trials at its own research centres. The company now has a global presence with 26 Dedicated Research Centres, and is continuing with plans for continued growth in Asia. 

Facing competition from other CEOs representing high performing private equity-backed businesses from across the UK, Michael secured the award for his role in managing growth and innovation during the economic downturn, and at a time when the pharmaceutical and clinical trials sectors have seen tougher business conditions that in the recent past.  

Commenting on the success of Fort, who has recently been named Executive Deputy Chairman of the company, Synexus Chairman Trevor Jones CBE said: "Michael has put in a tremendous effort over the past few years. His acute understanding of the clinical trials sector combined with his enthusiasm to make a success out of a fantastic business model, have been key to delivering Synexus to where it is today. We're all very pleased for him."  

Jeremy Hand, Managing Partner of Lyceum Capital, which took the company private with the management team, said: "We'd like to congratulate Michael on this win, one which is richly deserved given the key part he's played in Synexus' success. 

 "We'll be working with Michael and the rest of the team at Synexus to continue building on this momentum and cement the business as the global leader in the field of patient recruitment and running of clinical trials."  

Synexus® headquartered in Manchester, England, is the world's largest multi-national company dedicated to the recruitment and running of clinical trials at its own research centres across the globe on behalf of its pharmaceutical, biotech and CRO clients.  Synexus now has 26 Dedicated Research Centres across the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Bulgaria, India and South Africa staffed by full-time GCP-trained investigators.