THURSDAY | Tap into the UK’s £100bn Life Sciences market
Only two days remain to book your spot at Place North’s Life Sciences Update on 13 November, where you will hear from the likes of Kadans, Manchester University NHS Foundation, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as they look past the Golden Triangle to explore the opportunities the sector has to flourish in the North.
Life Sciences Update will dive headfirst into the life sciences property world, looking into where investment is going and the unique market forces and design features that make the market tick. Expect to hear from experts in the field, from those developing the labs of tomorrow to those bringing in the investment capital needed to make them happen.
Worth an estimated £100bn to the UK economy, the life sciences industry is only expected to grow as the government has listed it as one of its key sectors. Now is the time to get involved and learn about the industry’s unique needs and opportunities.
Life Sciences Update will be held from 8am to noon on 13 November at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. It is sponsored by BondBryan:Fairhursts, Mills & Reeve, and Morgan Sindall Construction.
At Place North, we recognise the importance of networking. That’s why we will provide ample opportunities to connect with our speakers and fellow attendees throughout the morning, including a pre-programme breakfast and post-programme lunch.
Tickets are £88+VAT. Local authorities and registered providers have the opportunity to purchase half-price tickets as well.
What you’ll take away from the conference
- Insight into the main drivers of the Northern life sciences economy
- Best practice on how to tackle reuse and retrofit when it comes to labs
- Market intel on the Northern life sciences scene
- New contacts for your business
Confirmed speakers
Will Fogden is head of investment and development at Kadans. He works to define the company’s UK strategy in alignment with the organisation’s wider vision. Fogden leads on the identification, design, and acquisition of new opportunities across the UK, Ireland, and the broader portfolio. Personable and engaging, Fogden 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.
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.
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.
John Willis is the programme lead for the LCR Innovation Zone at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The Innovation Zone will accelerate the combined authority’s ambition to be a global leader in life sciences and establish LCR as a global hub for trade and investment. It is integral to the combined authority’s goal of investing 5% of its economic output in R&D expenditure by 2030 and achieving a 25% uplift in FDI by the end of the decade. With the potential to drive more than £800m of Government and private investment and create 8,000 jobs, the Investment Zone promises to deliver new state-of-the-art facilities and business and innovation support, while training a new generation of talent.
Laura Sherliker is a director at BondBryan: Fairhursts. She has more than 20 years of experience in leading science and innovation projects across the country. Sherliker specialises in creating dynamic ecosystems and placemaking. She is 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. Sherliker is passionate about the intersections of architecture and community development and is committed to fostering sustainable and engaging environments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Phil Kelly is a partner at Ridge. He is also the deputy research and technical officer for the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories’ UK chapter. He leads Ridge’s net zero and decarbonisation expertise, acting as subject matter expert on projects nationally. Kelly’s thought leadership includes pioneering research with global industry organisations, including the WGBC and WBCSD.
Book your ticket using the form below – if you can’t see the form, please contact [email protected].
