An interview with Chris Lapthorne, Account Director for MEDIO – powered by Involve.
In this blog post, Chris talks about some of his proudest moments working for Involve. He also explains that his move into tech for the healthcare sector came at a poignant time for himself and his family.
“I’ve been working in the audio-visual collaboration space for a long time, over 30 years, having started in the early 1990s at the sharp end, carrying out installations across the UK, Europe and the United States. I went from installation to commissioning into project management and design. Over time, I migrated into commercial and account management roles, and more recently into the role of account director. I’ve had two spells working with Involve, who are behind the MEDIO brand, punctuated by a few years working in Australia. I love travel so it’s always been good to be able to visit different countries during my career.
Improving care
“What I enjoy most about my role is that when technology is properly deployed in healthcare – in MDT environments, in education centres, and elsewhere – it’s great to see as there are so many benefits for the users. It’s quite coincidental but when I joined Involve in 2017, I actually lost my mother (Angela) at the same time through cancer, and I had moved into a role deploying technology in a healthcare environment. This is what motivates me now, how can we help organisations like Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Royal Marsden and others to gain the most tangible benefits from technology?
“My mother had always struggled with asthma and COPD but had always been a very active person. She was always very warm and friendly, she worked until her mid-50s and then took on some voluntary roles, some within NHS organisations. I had seen what my mother had gone through with her cancer and in a way, this spurred me on – how can we make things better for everyone receiving healthcare? How can technology help us with this?”
Proud moments
In his current role with Involve MEDIO, Bristol-based Chris is one of three Account Directors supporting NHS organisations across the country, with Chris tending to cover London and Southern England.
“We were very pleased to win the contract for providing healthcare AV technology for Great Ormond Street NHS in 2018. They were one of the first major healthcare organisations that we began working with in the south of the country and it was a very interesting project from a technology standpoint, providing state-of-the art audio-visual systems and a large, eye-catching video wall. In 2023, we picked up the AV contract at the new Oak Cancer Centre for The Royal Marsden NHS, which was another highlight for us, and had a royal opening by His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales.
“Healthcare technology services can make such a difference to the working lives of clinicians, consultants and health service managers. I think the biggest catalyst for this in recent times was Covid-19. The pandemic forced Trusts to rapidly deploy Microsoft Teams and video consultations in order to maintain healthcare services during that period. Involve deployed Teams-based solutions to support hybrid multi-disciplinary team meetings where some consultants participated from home. We also rapidly deployed video consultation solutions for both NHS and private health organisation clients to enable them to maintain patient care. That momentum has carried forward to the present day where our Medio solutions and services are now essential to the efficient and effective delivery of health and care.
Active lifestyle
“Away from work, travel has always been my passion and I have been pleased to incorporate this with my working career. When I began my career as an electrician I went to work in Australia, so it was good to go back there a few years ago. Recent travels have mainly been in Europe but I did go to Mexico with my father after my mother passed. I also enjoy sport, football and golf, my golfing handicap is nine so I’m of a reasonable standard – on some days! I’ve had two hole-in-ones over the last 20 years, which is a great feeling but it does mean an expensive time in the clubhouse bar afterwards buying everyone drinks!”
CONTACT US