New money continues to pour into the life sciences sector. This crucial update will identify the leading players and places where that money is being spent. Understand the particular market forces, design features, and development model for this fascinating sector.

Confirmed speakers

Dr Katherine Boylan is the deputy managing director for research and innovation at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. She oversees innovation activities within MFT, supporting the full innovation pathway and strategic commercial partnerships. She also contributes to leadership of the wider research and innovation function and is a standing member of the NICE Medical Technologies Advisory Committee.

Ben Bridgewater is the chief executive of Health Innovation Manchester. Providing the bridge between the world of health, academia, and industry – Health Innovation Manchester is on a mission to accelerate innovation into practice at pace and scale to transform the lives of Greater Manchester’s 2.8m citizens. Bridgewater is a leading expert on health informatics, national clinical audit, clinical governance, healthcare transparency, patient experience measurement, and digital transformation in healthcare.

James Gibbons is an investment manager at Northern Gritstone. He makes venture capital investments into life science companies. Gibbons has a background in building, investing in, and advising deep-tech and life sciences startups and spinouts. His experience spans roles within the pharmaceutical industry, universities, and spinning out VC-backed companies.

Jonny Lowe is the head of science and technology in the North for CBRE. Lowe leverages in-depth sector knowledge and experience to provide strategic advice across the public and private sectors and to shape the emerging innovation landscape. His expertise spans development, asset management, disposal, and acquisition.

Dr Ben Martyn is the executive lead for investment and international partnerships at Northern Health Science Alliance. The NHSA works across the North, representing nine NHS Trusts and 10 universities in conversations with industry and the government. The NHSA helps with crafting clusters, convening bids at scale, and advocating for the North’s life sciences sector on a global stage.

Jon Moister is a board director at Curtins. Curtins has been experimenting with the reuse of existing buildings for lab space. He is a leading expert in the life science sector. With close to 30 years of engineering experience, Moister has helped deliver extraordinary research buildings, including the specialist containment laboratories for The Pirbright Institute.

Dr Neville Young is the director of enterprise and innovation at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber. He has a real interest and track record in supporting the delivery of high-quality research and innovation that improves patient outcomes and drives health system efficiencies. Young is focussed on helping innovative businesses succeed and grow.

Simon Reid is the assistant director for business growth at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. He oversees the business growth and inward investment teams with the aim of making it easier for businesses to start, grow, and invest in the Liverpool City Region. LCR is home to the Life Sciences Innovation Zone, which is expected to generate up to £800m of investment and create 8,000 jobs.

James Sheppard is the international head of commercial strategy and an executive director at Kadans.  Sheppard is responsible for strategy, corporate development, and ecosystem management across Kadans’ pan-European portfolio. He brings significant life science experience to Kadans, having been previously head of life science at Cushman and Wakefield and having worked on some of Europe’s largest and most advanced centres for scientific innovation, such as The Francis Crick Institute and Imperial College’s White City Campus. Sheppard has supported many organisations, both public and private, in the development of their science and innovation strategy. With his experience, he has gained valuable insight and technical knowledge, enabling him to help Kadans to further strengthen the support of its tenants and bring forward new projects.

Andrea Winders is the head of inward investment at MIDAS. She calls on her previous commercial roles to develop innovative approaches and strategies to attract international businesses to the region. With a varied career, Winders has won awards for innovation by creating new solutions for old problems, and has experience in international sales, local government place leadership, and smart cities. Place, living, and culture are as valuable as the ecosystem, making up the magnetic package for Greater Manchester in life sciences and other key sectors.