Supporting innovation in life sciences

Having played a very active role with The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) for over 15 years, initially as a supplier of technology to many member innovation ecosystems and subsequently as Operations Director at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park, I am immensely proud to be able to complete the circle by taking the helm at The United Kingdom Science Park Association at such an exciting time for the UK’s science and technology R&D sectors.

I think it is fair to say that global interest in UK R&D, and particularly in the life sciences sector, has never been so high.

It is imperative that the sector is able to capitalise on this elevated profile, driven in large part by the agile response to Covid-19, to ensure that the structures are in place to enable emerging high-growth-potential companies to be identified and supported in their scale-up journey.

I believe this requires not only investment in the kind of flexible lab infrastructure needed to support the needs of these companies as they grow, but also ensuring that routes to venture capital are clearly signposted, and that there is a deep pool of skills available from which to draw staff at all levels.

It is imperative that the sector is able to capitalise on this elevated profile, driven in large part by the agile response to Covid-19, to ensure that the structures are in place to enable emerging high-growth-potential companies to be identified and supported in their scale-up journey

Furthermore, the accelerating digital transformation of many sectors of the economy, and particularly the growing role of data analytics, AI and machine learning, will further blur the historical lines between the life sciences and technology research. It will bring with it the need for more agile interdisciplinary research teams and a new set of mixed-mode infrastructure requirements.

One of the primary objectives for UKSPA is to become even more engaged and visible in lobbying and influencing on policy, both at a regional and national level, particularly around innovation funding, addressing the skills gap and ESG. To that end, we recently partnered with EG Events and Bidwells on their ‘Creating a Scientific Superpower ’ conference in the heart of Westminster, which brought together experts from the fields of property development, investment and R&D to discuss the role of the sector in achieving this ambitious aim.

We are also engaged in high-level discussions with UK Research and Innovation around the role of science parks and other innovation locations in catalysing science and technology clusters, particularly in areas not traditionally associated with cutting edge R&D, and the wider place and skills agendas.

The Association has recently published the third edition of its publication The Planning, Development and Operation of Science Parks (www.ukspa.org.uk)

• James Chafer is Chief Executive of UKSPA, The United Kingdom Science Park Association