Alex Williams is an experienced senior executive in the life sciences, medical devices and technology sectors and serves as Chief Financial & Operating Officer of Axis Spine Technologies. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience supporting high-growth, innovation-driven organizations and scaling financial and operational infrastructure in international markets.
Alex joined Axis Spine Technologies in 2023 as Chief Financial Officer and was subsequently appointed Chief Financial & Operating Officer. Alex is responsible for the company’s financial and funding strategy, investor relations, overseeing operational performance, managing key corporate functions in the UK and US and supporting the company’s long-term growth through strategic partnerships.
Prior to joining Axis, Alex held senior finance leadership roles within several international healthcare and technology businesses. These include Zogenix, where, as Senior Director, Finance for EMEA he led the regional finance organization and supported the company’s international expansion during the period leading to its acquisition, and Travelport, a $2.2bn global travel technology platform, where he played a key role in IPO preparation and established the company’s investor relations capability as it transitioned to a NYSE-listed company. After beginning his career in professional practice, Alex joined global healthcare leader Allergan, where he managed a $300m P&L and supported growth initiatives across emerging markets.
Alex serves as Trustee and Treasurer of Dravet Syndrome UK. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Marc brings over 25 years of expertise in medical devices, primarily in spine-related solutions, to his role at Axis. Marc has a robust background in both R&D and commercial sectors, as well as Business Strategy in senior and executive roles, at both multinationals as well as start-ups. Marc has been pivotal in driving new product launches from concept through research and development to clinical and market introduction. He has a MSc and a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering and holds nineteen filed patents.

Marc has worked and lived in five countries. At the start of his career, he transferred from AcroMed, The Netherlands, to AcroMed Corp. in the USA, leading the introduction of a major low back system and CFRP Cages. Marc then moved to DePuy Spine, Johnson & Johnson EMEA/AsPac in the UK and NL, where he built up a significant R&D and Clinical Research portfolio. Later, as Managing Director and CTO of Silony Medical GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany, Marc led a team of 30 R&D, QA/RA, and clinical specialists, delivering a considerable range of innovative spinal products.

More recently, before joining Axis, Marc served as CEO at Gannet Implants BV, where he advanced femoral neck fracture fixation technology.

Outside of work, Marc enjoys spending time with his family, long walks in the country side, cooking, and reading historical novels.

Ivo is a seasoned commercial leader with over 25 years of marketing and sales experience in the global orthopedic and spine medical devices sector.

At Axis, Ivo leads all strategic commercial and clinical initiatives, leveraging his specialized knowledge in spine. He oversees commercial strategy, brand and product management, digital marketing, and clinical research. As a member of Axis’ leadership team, he excels in cross-functional collaboration with Sales, R&D, QA/RA, Operations, and Finance. Ivo is often described as the ‘cement between the organizational bricks’.

Ivo’s journey in the medical devices industry began with foundational roles in marketing and sales, where he quickly distinguished himself through his strategic insights and ability to drive growth. His leadership was instrumental in several high-impact projects. At Medtronic, he was part of the team launching a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) spine platform, giving Medtronic a leading role in the MIS space. At Intrinsic Therapeutics, a US-based spinal startup, Ivo and his team delivered the first-to-market PMA disc closure implant, highlighting his expertise in new product development and market introduction.

His career is marked by a consistent track record of establishing strong market positions for new products. Ivo’s strategic acumen and deep industry knowledge have enabled him to navigate complex market landscapes, contributing decisively to the success of each organization he has been part of.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ivo is passionate about cycling, particularly completing challenging Gran Fondos such as La Marmotte and the Otztaler Cycling Marathon.

In his role as Vice President of Sales in the United States, Patrick brings more than two decades of commercial leadership experience in the spine industry. He has built a distinguished career transforming commercial organizations, accelerating revenue growth, and strengthening surgeon and hospital partnerships across competitive markets. His leadership background includes key roles at LDR, Centinel Spine, 4WEB Medical, and most recently, Eminent Spine.

Patrick began his medical device career at LDR, where he played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint during its high-growth ear and gained early experience with disruptive technologies and surgeon education. He advanced to leadership roles at Centinel Spine, where he helped strengthen market penetration and develop strategic partnerships that contributed to the company’s national expansion.

At 4WEB, he led in commercial sales efforts focused on 3D-printed implant technologies, sharpening his expertise in launching novel solutions and positioning products in highly competitive markets. Most recently at Eminent Spine, he oversaw significant sales momentum and helped build an organizational foundation for scalable growth, further establishing his reputation as a leader who develops talent, aligns teams, and drives measurable results.

As Vice President of Sales at Axis Spine, Patrick leads the U.S. commercial organization with a focus on accelerating adoption of Axis’ expanding portfolio, strengthening surgeon engagement, and building a unified, high-performance commercial structure. Known for his ability to develop talent, execute with discipline, and foster strong partnerships across the spine community, he plays a central role in supporting Axis Spine’s next phase of growth.

Mr. McDonough is committed to advancing innovation, teamwork, and excellence as Axis Spine continues its mission to elevate spine care for surgeons and their patients.

Simon Cartmell is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in both pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He successfully led ApaTech from a university spin-out to a $330 million acquisition by Baxter International. Simon has also served as an Operating Partner with a prominent UK venture capital firm. Currently, among other assignments, he is Chairman of OssDsign, a spinal biologics company focusing on US expansion, and MatOrtho, a leading UK joint reconstruction business.

John Sutcliffe is a spinal neurosurgeon who has significantly contributed to advancements in spinal care and product development throughout his career. Prior to jointly founding Axis Spine Technologies, he worked with other companies designing successful spinal implants. He has held prestigious positions at Barts and The Royal London NHS trust and founded and has run London Spine Clinic on Harley Street for 27 years. John has numerous publications and has collaborated with surgeon peers worldwide, maintaining a strong network, particularly in the US.

Ted Davis trained as a biomedical engineer and began his post-business school career in the life sciences venture capital industry before transitioning to leadership roles in the medical device industry. At Wright Medical, he led the company’s strategic transformation to an extremities and biologics leader and executed the sale of the orthorecon business segment to Microport Scientific. With a wealth of experience in US medical devices, Ted is currently the CEO of BioTissue Holdings, Inc, a regenerative medicine company based in Miami, FL focused on ocular and surgical patient indications.

Mercia Asset Management

Alex Gwyther joined the Board of Axis in April 2024, succeeding Peter Dines who initiated Mercia's first investment into Axis. Alex is an Investment Manager for Mercia’s VCT funds and serves on the boards of several healthcare portfolio companies. He holds a degree in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Science Communication.

MedTex Ventures

Stephan Ogilvie brings over a decade of experience in spine with Medtronic and Nuvasive, where he led business development and executed numerous acquisitions. Steve has also spent many years in investment banking, raising capital for private and public companies. Currently, Steve is an advisor to MedTex Ventures and the CEO of CardioFocus.

WakeMed Orthopaedic, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America

Dr. Gurvinder S. Deol is a board certified (FAAOS), fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon. He has a well-known reputation for excellent outcomes and cutting-edge procedures, and has extensive experience in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. He frequently teaches techniques to neurosurgeons and spinal surgeons from around the world, and has recently developed new minimally invasive spinal technology that allows for more rapid recovery and minimizes postoperative pain typically associated with spinal surgery.

Dr. Deol has expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. He also specializes in spinal trauma, spinal deformity surgery, and spinal tumors. Dr. Deol completed his undergraduate education at North Carolina State University and subsequently attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After completing his Orthopedic Surgery residency at Penn State College of Medicine, he was accepted at the prestigious Rush University Medical Center spinal surgery fellowship. At Rush, he trained under the finest spinal surgeons in the world with a focus on complex reconstructive surgery and minimally invasive procedures. He had the good fortune of learning from Dr. Frank Phillips, one of the pioneers in minimally invasive spine surgery.

In 2024, Dr. Deol got listed by Newsweek as one of the 150 best spine surgeons in the U.S.

Texas Back Institute, Plano, Texas, United States of America

Dr. Richard Guyer, MD, is the Co-founder of the Texas Back Institute and Director of their Spine Fellowship Program. Dr. Guyer is also co-director for the Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Back Institute. Dr. Guyer was instrumental in bringing artificial disc replacement surgery to the United States after its creation and use in Europe. Dr. Guyer earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX and continued with his residency program in Orthopedic Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Guyer then completed two spine fellowships in Ohio and California.
Dr. Guyer holds many honors including founder of the Texas Back Institute Research Foundation and Chairman of the Board for the program. Dr. Guyer has received the Best Doctor Award from D Magazine for multiple years, is past president of the North American Spine Society and winner of the Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research.