CEO MONTHLY / JANUARY 2026 17 True MedTech Transformation Improving the effectiveness of healthcare delivery – and the health of the entire nation in turn – is the ambitious mission of AXREM, the trade association representing the suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT, and care equipment in the UK. Leading the charge of this mission is Sally Edgington, a transformative CEO whose leadership has earned recognition in the 2025 Most Influential CEO Awards. We caught up with Sally below to learn more about her journey, and the pivotal work AXREM does in supporting the nation’s hospitals. AXREM members are responsible for supplying the majority of the diagnostic medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment used by UK hospitals in lifesaving work every day, which leads these member companies and their employees to work hand in hand with a variety of healthcare professionals to deliver outstanding patient care. In this organised structure, AXREM plays a pivotal role in promoting and developing the industry by nurturing collaborative environments and building a true sense of community. A member-focused organisation through and through, AXREM works tirelessly to support each company it represents – all while embodying sustainability, cybersecurity, and innovation across its operations, as well as ensuring that the NHS retains access to safe, efficient, and future-focused healthcare technology. This underlying approach fuels the close-knit, fast-growing association, which blends a personal and approachable service with an expansive supplier network to offer accessible, responsive member support. CEO Sally Edgington spearheads this operation, leading the organisation’s strategy, growth, and member engagement to ensure AXREM delivers real value to the UK’s medtech community. Under Sally’s guidance, AXREM membership has doubled in the last 12 months, with the organisation recently celebrating the milestone of its 100th member by leveraging its commitment to sustainability and planting 100 trees through the NHS Forest Initiative. Initiatives such as this reflect the long-term impact Sally seeks to deliver through her role at the helm of AXREM, further demonstrated by the blend of strategic vision and practical support that has come to define her leadership. This stems from an incredibly personal place for Sally, who missed a significant amount of school as a teenager due to time spent in hospital. Leaving school with no GCSEs, Sally was determined that this would not define her, and she set about building a life for herself. In 1996, Sally took on her first job as a trainee manager for Whitbread – managing a big team across a pub, restaurant, and hotel – which taught her a lot about leadership, team dynamics, and delivering service under pressure. Over the years, Sally moved into various managerial roles – including business development, marketing, and national sales – and also worked in the third sector to support disabled and older people through housing grants, working closely with local services and occupational therapists. “The turning point for me came when I joined the British Healthcare Trade Association as Membership Engagement Manager,” she recalled. “I loved the purpose and potential of a trade association – how it could bring together industry expertise, create real value, and drive change. From there, I was headhunted to lead AXREM in March 2019.” Since joining AXREM, Sally has poured her energy into organisational transformation: driving membership, professionalising governance, developing policy voice, and deepening engagement. Across these advancements, Sally has drawn on her early life challenges to build an organisation that elevates voices, drives technology with real impact, and supports its members to have a stronger influence on healthcare – an organisation deserving of its recognition as the UK’s Best MedTech Trade Association 2025. Looking to the future, Sally intends to uphold this passion through a number of exciting upcoming plans that reflect AXREM’s commitment to its members and the wider healthcare community. One key initiative is the launch of the company’s Women’s Network in March 2026, born from the annual International Women’s Day event, which will provide a meaningful space for members to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Alongside its flagship initiatives, AXREM will continue to focus on member growth, engagement, and sustainability, as Sally guides the organisation to success. Under her remarkable leadership, the company remains a trusted partner to its community and a strong advocate for the sector. For her tremendous contributions to the field, significantly shaping the growth of AXREM and the wider medtech community, Sally has been rightfully named the United Kingdom’s Most Influential CEO 2025 in Industry Leadership. “My focus is on continuing to build AXREM’s impact while developing as a leader,” Sally concluded. “Professionally, I want to ensure that the organisation remains at the forefront of medtech innovation and advocacy, supporting our members to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and drive positive change in healthcare.” Contact: Sally Edgington Company: AXREM Web Address: www.axrem.org.uk Nov23008
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