Health & Life Sciences Working Group

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

Peter is Chair of Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) and Chief Executive of Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI). Read more about Peter HERE.

Phil Smith CBE

Phil is Chair of Skills England. He was previously the Chair of TechSkills.org, Innovate UK and Cisco, which he also led for over two decades as CEO. Phil was awarded a CBE in 2019 for services to technology, business and skills. Read more about Phil HERE.

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.