Thames Valley’s Health and Life Sciences (HLS) Working Group convened on 16 July 2025, Sponsored and chaired by James Cowper Kreston, and Greenpark, Reading.
The event brought together a distinguished panel of experts and stakeholders from across the region’s thriving HLS ecosystem to explore the future of healthcare innovation, regulatory excellence, and workforce development.
The session featured a keynote address from Dr Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), who shared insights into NICE’s evolving role in shaping a more compassionate, equitable, and efficient healthcare system. With the support of Megan John, Chair of NICE’s Technology Appraisal Committee, they highlighted the importance of regulatory innovation in accelerating access to high-quality care and ensuring value for money across the NHS and wider health system.
Also joining the panel was Carl Bramwell, Research Manager at Cogent Skills, who presented findings from the Life Sciences 2035: Developing the Skills for Future Growth report. The report forecasts a need for up to 70,000 new roles in the sector by 2035, with an additional 75,000 positions required to replace those leaving the workforce. Carl emphasised the urgency of coordinated action across education, training, and workplace inclusion to meet this demand, a welcome remark to the group.
The group heard from updates from members on a wide range of topics, as well as a welcome update from the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan, launched the morning of the meeting.
This latest meeting reaffirmed the Thames Valley’s position as a national and international leader in health and life sciences. The Chamber’s curated Working Group developed following a call, from the then CEO of the Office for Life Sciences, continues to serve as a vital platform for collaboration between global corporates, SMEs, academia, NHS trusts, and government. As the sector navigates complex challenges and opportunities, TVCC remains committed to championing innovation, skills, and investment that will shape the future of healthcare in the UK and beyond.
For more information about the Health and Life Sciences Working Group or to express interest in future sessions, please contact the Business Representation & Policy team at TVCC.
