Chris Spencer

With first-hand experience of nursing and software development – as well as a distinguished legal career – Chris Spencer is the CEO of connected healthcare specialist EMIS Group plc.

Chris worked as a nurse in psycho-geriatrics and terminal care while studying for his Law degree at Leeds University. He quickly became Managing Partner of the legal practice he joined as an articled clerk. At the same time, he launched a company providing bespoke software solutions for the professional services sector. He formed his own legal practice and lectured in law before becoming general manager, legal counsel and head of IT with a specialist patent and trademark practice.

Chris joined EMIS Group in a business development role in 1999, going on to be Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing its mergers and acquisitions, management buyout and Initial Public Offering. He was confirmed as Chief Executive in July 2013 and has overseen the Group’s expansion from its primary care heartland into the community pharmacy, community, child & mental health, secondary and specialist healthcare sectors, including the acquisitions of Rx Systems, MultEPOS, Digital Healthcare, Ascribe and Indigo 4 Systems.

Chris is passionate about the importance of joined-up healthcare and removing the barriers that prevent clinicians from securely sharing information from patients’ medical records.

Chris is a Solicitor, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, a member of the Law Society of England & Wales, a member of the Society for Computers & Law and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.