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Thursday 13 November 2025, 8:00 - 12:00

Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS

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Life Sciences Update 2025

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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.

Speakers confirmed include

katherine boylan x

Katherine Boylan

deputy managing director for research and innovation, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

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Katherine Boylan

deputy managing director for research and innovation, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Katherine Boylan is Deputy Managing Director for Research and Innovation (Innovation) at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). This role involves overseeing innovation activities within MFT, which support the full innovation pathway and strategic commercial partnerships, as well as contributing to leadership of the wider R&I function. Katherine is a standing member of the NICE Medical Technologies Advisory Committee.
katherine boylan x
ben bridgewater x

Ben Bridgewater

chief executive, Health Innovation Manchester

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Ben Bridgewater

chief executive, Health Innovation Manchester

Ben Bridgewater is Chief Executive of Health Innovation Manchester, an academic health science system that brings together health, academia and industry. The mission is to accelerate innovation into practice at pace and scale, so to transform the lives of Greater Manchester’s 2.8 million citizens. He is a leading expert on health informatics, national clinical audit, clinical governance, healthcare transparency, patient experience measurement and digital transformation in healthcare, publishing numerous high profile academic outputs and delivering innovative IT tools for disseminating clinical outcomes to professionals and the public.
ben bridgewater x
Neville Young Director of Enterprise () x

Neville Young

director of enterprise and innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber

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Neville Young

director of enterprise and innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber

Neville Young is 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. Neville is focussed on helping innovative businesses succeed and grow.
Neville Young Director of Enterprise () x
Laura Sherliker, Fairhursts, p Fairhursts

Laura Sherliker

director, BondBryan:Fairhursts

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Laura Sherliker

director, BondBryan:Fairhursts

Laura Sherliker - architect and director has over 20 years of experience in leading science and innovation projects across the UK. Laura specialises in creating dynamic ecosystems and placemaking, dedicated to building vibrant communities. With a keen eye for detail, she excels in managing complex multi-phase projects, ensuring that each initiative not only meets but exceeds expectations. Laura, is passionate about the intersection of architecture and community development, and is committed to fostering sustainable and engaging environments.
Laura Sherliker, Fairhursts, p Fairhursts
JW image

John Willis

programme lead, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

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John Willis

programme lead, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

John is programme lead for the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone, part of Government’s Investment Zone Programme. The LCR Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme is a 10-year programme to drive growth & create thousands of jobs by unlocking more than £800m of public & private funding. John has extensive experience designing & delivering growth & investment programmes. John previously led on development of public investment projects to improve the flow of capital to early-stage business in the LCR, including the development of the LCR Seed Fund. John now leads on the delivery of the LCR Innovation Zone Programme.
JW image
James Gibbons x

James Gibbons

investment manager, Northern Gritstone

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James Gibbons

investment manager, Northern Gritstone

James is an investor at Northern Gritstone, making venture capital investments into life science companies. He has a background in building, investing in and advising deeptech and lifescience startups and spinouts. His experience spans roles within the pharmaceutical industry, universities and spinning out VC backed companies.
James Gibbons x
Jonny Lowe Headshot x

Jonny Lowe

head of science and technology North, CBRE

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Jonny Lowe

head of science and technology North, CBRE

Jonny leads CBRE's Science & Technology team in the North, leveraging in-depth sector knowledge and experience, he provides strategic advice across the public and private sectors, shaping the emerging innovation landscape. His expertise spans development, asset management, disposal and acquisition.
Jonny Lowe Headshot x
Darren Robinson Photography

Andrea Winders

head of inward investment, MIDAS

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Andrea Winders

head of inward investment, MIDAS

Andrea is head of inward investment for Life Sciences & Health in Greater Manchester, calling on her previous commercial roles to develop innovative approaches & strategies to attract international businesses to the region. With a varied career, Andrea has won awards for innovation, by creating new solutions for old problems, & has experience in international sales, local government place leadership, & smart cities. The importance of place, living & culture, are as valuable as the eco-system, making up the magnetic package for Greater Manchester in life sciences & other key sectors.
Darren Robinson Photography
Phil Kelly (x)

Phil Kelly

partner, Ridge

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Phil Kelly

partner, Ridge

Phil is the Deputy Research & Technical officer for the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) UK Chapter. He is a Partner at Ridge and leads their Net Zero & Decarbonisation expertise, acting as subject matter expert on projects nationally. Phil’s thought leadership includes pioneering research with global industry organisations including the WGBC & WBCSD.
Phil Kelly (x)
NHSA PrintReady

Ben Martyn

executive lead for investment & international partnerships, Northern Health Science Alliance

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Ben Martyn

executive lead for investment & international partnerships, Northern Health Science Alliance

Ben leads our research and innovation network programme and Nutrition North network, and champions the North as a global hub for life sciences research and innovation. Drawing on his experience as a cluster development lead, Ben collaborates effectively across academic, clinical, investor, political, and industry sectors. He has supported numerous health tech start-ups, conducting evidence gap analyses and refining their value propositions for the NHS. Prior to joining the NHSA, Ben earned a PhD in Chemistry and worked in the commercial team at the Yorkshire and Humber Health Innovation Network.
NHSA PrintReady
Will Fogden, Kadans, p Kadans

Will Fogden

head of investment & development, Kadans

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Will Fogden

head of investment & development, Kadans

Will is the UK Head of Development at Kadans Science Partner, defining the country strategy in alignment with the wider Kadans vision. He leads on the identification, design, and acquisition of new opportunities across the UK, Ireland, and the broader portfolio. Personable and engaging, Will brings dynamic and holistic leadership to the full project lifecycle. From the assimilation of development briefs to the delivery of innovative technical spaces. He connects the why, the what, and the where in creating environments that enable science to extend beyond buildings, fostering collaboration, innovation, and real-world impact.
Will Fogden, Kadans, p Kadans

Agenda

8:00 am

Arrival, networking & breakfast

9:00 am

Welcome from Julia Hatmaker, editor, Place North West

9:20 am

Presentation: Ben Martyn, executive lead for investment and international partnerships, Northern Health Science Alliance

9:35 am

Panel discussion: State of Science Investment

Ben Martyn, executive lead for investment and international partnerships, Northern Health Science Alliance

Laura Sherliker, director, BondBryan:Fairhursts

Nev Young, director of enterprise and innovation, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber

John Willis, programme lead, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

James Gibbons, investment manager, Northern Gritstone

10:20 am

Networking and coffee break

10:45 am

Presentation: Phil Kelly, partner, Ridge

11:15 am

Panel discussion: Closer Look: Manchester

Katherine Boylan, director of innovation, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Ben Bridgewater, chief executive, Health Innovation Manchester

Jonny Lowe, head of science and technology for the North, CBRE

Will Fogden, head of investment & development, Kadans

Andrea Winders, head of business development for life sciences, MIDAS

12:00 pm

Closing remarks, lunch & further networking

Tickets cost £88+VAT. Local authorities and registered providers can purchase tickets at a 50% discount below.

There will be a mix of presentations and panels. Breakfast and lunch are included, providing plenty of opportunity for business development.

Book using the form below – if you can’t see the form, please contact [email protected]

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