Genomics England appoints Sharmila Nebhrajani OBE as Non-Executive Director

Genomics England has appointed Sharmila Nebhrajani OBE as a Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive financial, strategic and health sector expertise to the Board.

Sharmila is currently Chairman of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the organisation responsible for assessing the clinical and cost effectiveness of medical innovations for the NHS. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of several major UK-listed companies, including ITV plc, Halma plc and Severn Trent plc.

Her appointment strengthens the Board’s financial oversight and audit capabilities, supporting Genomics England’s vision to build a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. 

Sharmila began her executive career in strategy consulting before spending 15 years at the BBC. During this time, she held senior leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for BBC Future Media and Technology, where she played a key role in the division that developed and launched BBC iPlayer.

Alongside her current roles, she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee for the Sovereign Grant, is a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Committee for the Royal Household and sits on the boards of the Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company and the University of Oxford.

Her previous public service experience includes board roles with the Medical Research Council, the Association of Medical Research Charities and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, reflecting a strong track record at the intersection of science, healthcare and governance.

Sharmila studied Medicine at the University of Oxford, is a World Fellow at Yale University, and is a Chartered Accountant. She was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to medical research.