The Chamber hosts the only region-wide, curated industry working group for the health and life sciences (HLS) sector.  We bring together industry leaders from global corporates, SMEs and spin-outs; academics and researchers; NHS hospital trusts and government representatives.

Inspired by the call from the Office for Life Sciences to bring together the industry cluster located across the region, our ambition remains to foster collaboration, information and knowledge exchange and advance the Thames Valley’s global reputation for HLS.  The continued importance, and value, of our working group is recognised by government in the invitation we receive to comment on government policy (most recently the Industrial Strategy white paper) and through our lobbying work in representing the business interests of the sector.

In October, we will be discussing HealthTech: and how developments in digital technology (including artificial intelligence) are creating opportunities in healthcare, enabling personalised and precision medicines, and helping address some of the challenges being faced by the NHS. As we showcased at Windsor Debates in March 2025 digital technology and the HealthTech sub-sector especially are also key foundations for UK Growth. Joining us for a one-topic agenda and roundtable discussion are two eminent industry leaders. We are advising interested parties to confirm their place – early – to avoid disappointment.

Speakers

Peter Ellingworth, Chief Executive of the Association of British HealthTech Industries.

Peter is Chief Executive of ABHI, representing 400 members across medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. He collaborates with senior government and NHS leaders to shape policies fostering industry growth and ensuring patient access to effective and life-saving technologies. Serving on key government committees including the Life Sciences Council and Health Technology Partnership, he represents industry on NHS England’s Innovation System Programme Advisory Group, where he is a workstream Chair. A Board member of the Accelerated Access Collaborative and the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research, Peter chairs the Oxford & Thames Valley Health Innovation Network and leads ABHI’s partnership with the Shelford Group. Peter is a Board Member of MedTech Europe and chairs its UK Working Group. He leads ABHI’s engagement with AdvaMed and the Global Medical Technology Alliance, focusing on critical issues like regulation and sustainability, while promoting best practices in inclusion, health equity, and women’s health.

Phil Smith CBE, Chair, Skills England

Phil was previously the chair of TechSkills.org, Innovate UK and Cisco, which he also led for over two decades as CEO, and until last month was chair of semiconductor materials supplier IQE plc. He is a former CEO and chair of Cisco UK & Ireland, spending over 20 years with the company and has worked closely with TVCC as an advocate for the business community. He was awarded a CBE in 2019 for services to technology, business and skills. 

Please note that this working group is by invitation only, with priority given to our members, companies from the health and life sciences sector or having an evidentially connection, through their supply chain. Please contact the Business Representation & Policy team for more information.

Photo Credit: University of Reading