The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) is hosting an upcoming policy event focussing on the importance of building regional clusters of excellence.

As part of Onward’s Level Up series of virtual events, the NHSA is supporting the session on Monday, May 10, 2021 titled ‘Comparative advantage: How to build clusters of excellence and innovation’.

We’re delighted to announce the speakers who will join NHSA Chief Executive, Dr Séamus O’Neill, on the panel are: Neelam Patel, Chief Executive Officer at MedCity; Lord Bethell, Minister for Innovation; Professor Louise Kenny from the University of Liverpool and NHSA board member; with Onward’s Will Holloway chairing the session.

The Government has committed to levelling up R&D across the country and a new place-based innovation strategy. Governments around the world have sought to support local clusters of innovation in specific fields to support competitiveness and drive high value innovation. The life sciences sector in the UK is a top three global hub, the number one recipient for foreign direct life sciences investment in Europe and the industry employs over 250,000 people across the UK.

This event will consider how can this comparative advantage help build more regional clusters, what can Britain learn from Silicon Valley or Tel Aviv in its approach to levelling up and whether it is possible to accelerate agglomeration in specific parts of the country to lead the world in strategic industries.

Click here to register for the event, which takes place on Monday, May 10, 2021, 11.15am – 12.30pm.