The ECMC Centre Business Leads (CBL) Forum was established in 2020 during the pandemic as an operational task group to
unite operational personnel across Adult and Paediatric sites. The purpose of the group was to bring together expert
operational colleagues to develop solutions for challenges facing the Network and UK clinical trials posed by COVID-19,
such as patient recruitment difficulties, delayed study set-up, resource shortages and supply management problems.
With oversight and support from the ECMC Programme Office (PO), the CBL Forum evolved into a collaborative, dynamic
operational group which fosters the exchange of knowledge and best practices, addresses key topics within the clinical
trial sector and serves as a platform to highlight the Network’s capabilities to industry partners.
To align with the ECMC governance structure and collaboration agreement, the CBL Forum has been renamed as the ‘Trial
Operational Delivery Forum’.
Mission Statement
The Trial Operational Delivery Forum is a collaborative community of ECMC operational professionals dedicated to sharing
insights and best practices. The Forum takes a solution focused approach to addressing challenges in the early phase
oncology research sector, leveraging the collective expertise of the network to influence regulators, industry, and key
stakeholders.
Aims and Remit
-
Identify and Solve Challenges: Spot emerging issues in early-phase clinical trials and work collaboratively to propose
practical, scalable solutions that benefit the whole Network.
- Industry Partnerships & Study Placement: Act as key contacts for industry partners via the ECMC Programme Office,
helping translate initial Expressions of Interest (EOIs) into fully placed trials across the Network.
- Promote Research Excellence: Showcase the ECMC Network’s capabilities and achievements to stakeholders, positioning the
Network as a leader in high-quality, early-phase oncology research.
- Support Complex Research: Offer hands-on support to research teams tackling complex or innovative trials from providing
training to troubleshooting operational barriers.
- Funding & Strategy Monitoring: Advise the Strategy Group on funding needs and networkwide priorities. Track the impact
of strategic decisions to ensure outcomes drive real progress.
- Best Practice Sharing: Develop and share practical guidance for trial setup, delivery, and governance. Encourage open
exchange of what’s working across sites.
- Foster Collaboration & Oversight: Maintain a bird’s-eye view of site activity to ensure operational alignment,
feasibility, and consistent research conduct across the Network.
- ECMC Collaboration agreement: Ensure compliance and adherence to the collaboration agreement operating guidelines, and
responsible for keeping the guidelines updated.
Membership
The Trial Operational Delivery Forum is a pan-age, four nations forum which brings together highly experienced
professionals with deep operational, strategic and clinical research expertise. Each ECMC site will be represented by a
nominated “Centre Business Lead” to ensure inclusivity and adequate representation within the group.
The Trial Operational Delivery Forum will consist of the following core members:
- Forum chair – A delegated representative from the network supported by the Programme Office
- ECMC Centre Business Leads (CBLs) from each ECMC location
ECMC Delivery teams and relevant support departments, engaged as needed, in alignment with project requirements. While
personnel from the wider ECMC Network can join meetings and share their expertise, the core group made up of ECMC Centre
Business Leads and the ECMC Programme Office will remain responsible for leading the group. This core team will guide
discussions, make key decisions, and ensure the group stays focused and consistent in its work.
