CMR Surgical co-founder Martin Frost made a CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for bringing Versius robot to hospitals
The co-founder of CMR Surgical, Martin Frost, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to robotics.
Martin, who was CEO of the company until the end of 2019, helped to bring the innovative Versius surgical robot to hospitals within five years of helping to launch the company, driven by a vision of helping millions around the world benefit from minimal access surgery.
Versius, made at CMR Surgical’s Impington headquarters, can now be found in NHS hospitals in the UK , along with sites in France and India, and is being rolled out worldwide.
Martin, who won CEO of the Year at the 2018 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards , helped the company raise £195million in September 2019 in what was Europe’s largest medtech private financing round, which took the valuation of the company beyond the $1bn mark.
He remains a non-executive director of the company.
Prior to co-founding CMR Surgical in 2014, Martin was started and led numerous technology and life science companies including Harston-based technology consultancy Sagentia.
He was recognised as UK Disruptor of the Year in the EY 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year awards and Executive of the Year at the 2019 MedTech Insight awards, recognising his success in taking CMR from inception to global commercialisation.
He continues to work alongside and mentor young leaders and companies in the diagnostic, medical devices and energy sectors including Cyted, CB2tech and Creavo.
Earlier this year, he became chair of Peek Vision, a social enterprise bringing sustainable access to eye health across the world, which was spun out from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Lord David Prior, chair of NHS England , said: “The development of a surgical robot by CMR is a triumph of British technology and entrepreneurship. CMR have taken on and beaten some of the world’s biggest companies.
“ I have met Martin all over the world, from India, Europe and the USA, as he has tirelessly presented the CMR robot to healthcare systems. The UK led the first industrial revolution, CMR has shown us that we can lead the fourth.”
Per Vegard Nerseth, who took over from him as chief executive officer of CMR Surgical , said: “On behalf of everyone at CMR, I’m delighted to congratulate Martin on being awarded a CBE. This is fantastic recognition for someone who has dedicated his career to helping people around the world through the use of advanced technology in a way that significantly improves their lives. We owe a debt of gratitude to him for his vision and drive in creating CMR Surgical to help transform surgery for good.”
Read more
CMR Surgical raises £195m to bring its Versius robot to hospitals across the world
Milestone as CMR Surgical’s Versius robot is used by NHS hospitals for first time
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