Meet the team
Senior Leadership Team
Steve Bates OBE
What does your role at BIA involve?
Steve Bates is the CEO of the UK Bioindustry Association, the UK’s Trade Association for innovative life science companies with over 550 members. Steve is the visible face of the vibrant UK life sciences industry to government and media. He serves on the UK Government’s Life Sciences Council and the UK Biosecurity Leadership Council. Steve was a founder member of the UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce in the Covid crisis, sitting on its steering Board alongside Kate Bingham. He is active member and former chair the International Council of Biotech Associations and has been a board member of EuropaBio since 2015.
Previous experience & achievements
Steve has championed, with government, effective industrial incentives like the Biomedical Catalyst, which have crowded in private sector investment into UK SMEs. He is a driving force behind the scale up agenda, spearheading policy agenda to unlock UK pension fund capital into productive UK growth in life sciences. He has forged several links for the sector across the USA, Europe and in China. In his time at the BIA, Steve has developed new member groups focused on cell and gene therapy, genomics and engineered biology. A strong advocate of partnership working, Steve champions sector collaboration with research charities and academia. Proud to lead an organisation with a diverse Board with over 40% female representation, Steve is committed to next generation talent and developing the skills needed for the sector to flourish. Before joining the BIA in 2012, Steve worked for Genzyme and was advisor to the UK Government of Tony Blair working on NHS reform and the Northern Ireland peace process. He was made OBE for services to innovation in 2017 and became a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Science in 2020.
Nick Gardiner
What does your role at BIA involve?
Nick is responsible for overseeing the BIA’s operations, ensuring that all activities are professionally delivered to the highest standard and providing an organisation-wide operational perspective to and support for, activities and projects. He has specific responsibility for office management/facilities; financial systems/processes and credit control; the people, skills and talent workstream; company secretariat; human resources and IT/telecoms.
Previous experience & achievements
Nick has extensive industry and not-for-profit management experience. Prior to this role, he ran the Clinical Laboratory Division of Lab21. This involved providing specialist laboratory services to the healthcare, pharmaceutical and clinical trials markets. In that role, Nick had management responsibility for all operations, income, laboratory and customer services and client liaison across the Group. He also has specific and extensive experience of diagnostic testing within the HIV and HCV disease areas. This was gained through building Delphic Diagnostics into a one-stop shop for clinicians, enabling more effective patient monitoring and subsequent treatment options. Nick also has broad management experience within the not-for-profit and charity sector, working for a trade body representing and building the profile of the business communication industry and prior to that working for the world’s oldest active society devoted to natural history.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be?
Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator, independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection. He travelled the world and I would imagine had some excellent stories to tell.
Jane Wall
What does your role at BIA involve?
Strategic leadership of the organisation and oversight of P&L to ensure that BIA is a sustainable, successful, and ever-evolving association. Serving the needs of existing members, growing new communities, and increasing member benefit; producing sector-leading thought leadership and events, growing influence, reach and impact.
Previous experience & achievements
25 years of experience managing teams in academic publishing and membership organisations: providing strategic and editorial direction combined with business acumen; driving operational, organisational and community development, profitability, and innovation. Previous roles at Oxford University Press, Taylor & Francis (Informa PLC), Oxford Brookes University, Fire Protection Association and Food and Drink Federation. Jane holds a first degree in Italian and European Literature from Warwick University, MA in Social Anthropology from SOAS and MBA from Oxford Brookes Business School.
If you could invite any scientist to dinner, who would it be?
Galileo Galilei: having been slightly obsessed with Italian culture and the Renaissance, I was fascinated by Florence, the Medicis and their patronage of artists and scientists. I am always in awe of the bravery and foresight of individuals willing to push human understanding beyond what was/is generally acceptable at the time: Galileo was willing to risk the ire of the Inquisition and to live condemned as a heretic in times when the punishment was extreme – to become the ‘father of modern science’.
Miriam Gedge
What does your role at BIA involve?
Miriam's role includes full diary management, reading, monitoring and responding to CEO's email, answering calls and liaising with members/stakeholders/clients; drafting of correspondence on CEO's behalf and delegating work in the CEO's absence. She also supports project planning and managing ad hoc projects, especially from nascent ideas to project plans, including formative meetings, planning and organising events.
Previous experience & achievements
Miriam joined BIA in June 2018 as an Executive Assistant to Steve Bates. Previously she has worked within the Human Resources Department of ITN and held a wide variety of secretarial/administrative roles across higher education institutions. She holds a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Albert Einstein once said “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious”, which is something I attest to.
Policy & Public Affairs
Dr Martin Turner
What does your role at BIA involve?
Martin is responsible for all the BIA's policy outputs and public affairs activities and leads on finance and tax policy as well as the BIA’s engagement with the investment community. He authors the BIA’s investment analysis reports and is a regular commentator on the life sciences sector in the national press. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge University Science Policy Exchange (CUSPE).
Previous experience & achievements
Martin has over ten years experience in policy and public affairs and has worked at the Royal Society, the Campaign for Science and Engineering, and the Association of Medical Research Charities. Before embarking on a career in policy, he completed a PhD in molecular biology at the University of Sheffield, where he also co-founded and was director of an award-winning science communication charity called Science Brainwaves. He has a BSc in molecular biology from the University of Manchester.
Dr Emma Lawrence
What does your role at BIA involve?
Emma leads BIA's genomics, digital, data and artificial intelligence (AI) policy areas. She engages with members who work in these fields to understand their policy needs. Emma provides the secretariat for BIA's Genomics Advisory Committee (GAC) and looks after the TechBio community as part of this. Emma also leads BIA's influence agenda for these areas, engaging with civil servants and other senior stakeholders.
Previous experience
Prior to joining the BIA, Emma worked at the cross-party think tank Policy Connect on a Cell and Gene Therapy Parliamentary engagement programme. She has previously worked in the biomedical research sector understanding the barriers to accessing human samples and data for research. This included leading engagement at the UKCRC Tissue Directory and Coordination Centre (UCL) and the Immunotherapy Trial Simulation Project (Imperial College London). Emma has a PhD in Immunology from the University of Manchester.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Ada Lovelace, the godmother of computer programming because she was the first to recognise that a machine would have uses beyond calculations. We’d chat about maths and 19th-century gossip over cocktails.
Linda Bedenik
What does your role at BIA involve?
Linda leads on intellectual property (IP), engineering biology (EngBio), R&D and innovation policy and animal research. She provides the secretariat to BIA's two advisory committees - Intellectual Property (IPAC) and Engineering Biology (EBAC) as well as the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Life Sciences.
Previous experience & achievements
Prior to joining BIA, Linda worked as a Policy Analyst at a non-profit looking into university-business collaboration and knowledge exchange in the UK and as a researcher at a public policy-focused think tank identifying challenges to state-level public service delivery and rural health in India. Linda has an MA in Global Political Economy from the University of Sussex.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Santos-Dumont and the Wright Brothers – to have them settle the debate over who flew first.
Rosie Lindup
What does your role at BIA involve?
Rosie leads the BIA’s policy work on access to medicines, rare diseases, cell and gene therapies and antimicrobial resistance. This involves providing the secretariat for the BIA’s Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (CGTAC) and Rare Disease Industry Group (RDIG). She is also responsible for organising the BIA’s annual Parliament Day, which brings CEOs and senior representatives from BIA member companies to Westminster to meet with politicians and policymakers.
Previous experience
Previously, Rosie worked as a Senior Research Consultant at a Westminster-based public affairs agency, where she supported clients from a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, technology and financial services. Prior to that, Rosie worked as a Management Consultant at KPMG, where she assisted on financial and regulatory projects with large corporate clients. She has a BA in Human, Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge.
Lewis Miles
What does your role at BIA involve?
Lewis leads the BIA’s policy work on finance and tax, which involves campaigning to increase investment in the UK’s life science industry. He engages with members across the sector to understand their policy needs. Lewis also provides the secretariat for the BIA’s Finance and Tax Advisory Committee (FTAC).
Previous experience & achievements
Previously, Lewis has held a number of roles related to policy within the STEM sector. These have included work at the Royal Society of Chemistry, where he led on policy areas including research culture, diversity and inclusion, and funding; as well as supporting the passage of the Environment Act 2021 through Parliament at DEFRA. In addition, he has worked as a Project Officer at the Royal Society, managing projects to make the landscape of STEM in the UK more inclusive and diverse. Lewis has a MSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Birmingham, where he majored in Biology and Physics.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
So many to choose from, but I think it would have to be Jane Goodall. With a lifetime’s experience working with chimpanzees, I doubt I’d ever run out of things to ask, with the added bonus of not having to worry too much about table manners – I’m sure she’s seen worse. Plus, I hear she loves a glass of whiskey every night.
Maddie Cass
What does your role at BIA involve?
I work on supporting the BIA's expansion into the deep biotech space. Deep biotech is the use of biotechnology to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, particularly the climate crisis. As a part of this I support the Engineering Biology Advisory Committee.
Previous experience & achievements
After studying genetics at Glasgow University, I gained international experience by living and working in Taiwan during the pandemic. In my previous job I provided policy advice on the education sector to head teachers and school governors.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would invite the remarkable cytogeneticist, Barbra McClintock to dinner. Her pioneering work in genetics and her ability to challenge existing paradigms in the field have always been a source of inspiration.
Emily Klein
What does your role at BIA involve?
I support the BIAs policy work on access to medicines, which involves campaigning to improve NHS uptake of medicines as well as addressing issues surrounding access to medicines and reimbursement. My role supports the BIA’s Rare Disease Industry Group (RDIG), including engaging with key stakeholders and supporting the delivery of projects and activities carried out by RDIG.
Previous experience & achievements
I joined the BIA in September 2023 having previously worked as a Programme Executive at a London based public sector events organisation. This role involved conducting public sector research and applying these insights and analysis to create innovative and commercially attractive event agendas that provide comprehensive solutions to key challenges across a range of UK policy areas. I also have a degree in Politics and International Relations.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would invite Thomas Edison, an innovative American inventor and businessman, on what I imagine would be a very fascinating discussion on his incredibly influential contributions to inventions and its impact on modern life.
Membership
George Caterer
What does your role at BIA involve?
George works to grow the BIA as an organisation, engaging with new innovative companies, supporting new sectors and expanding our reach throughout the UK. George is also responsible for working with the current members to ensure they are fully engaged and making the most of BIA membership! This includes working closely with our start-up community, helping them to utilise the BIA network on their commercialisation journey.
Previous experience & achievements
His previous experience has been a slightly meandering path. After completing an MSci in Zoology at University College London, George started work for a small biotech in Hertfordshire before becoming an editor for a portfolio of journals within the Springer Nature Group, eventually moving on to become an Ecology Consultant. Now back in the biotechnology sector, he enjoys working on the commercial side of the sector and supporting all of the scientific work he can just about understand!
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
It would have to be Doc. Brown… just imagine what else he has seen.
Natalie Moorcock
What does your role at BIA involve?
Natalie is responsible for planning and overseeing the renewal processes for BIA members in addition to delivering efficient onboarding processes for new members whilst ensuring a smooth and ongoing engagement experience, member satisfaction and positive member journeys. In addition, Natalie also oversees the CRM/CMS systems to maximise on membership engagement and increasing our member benefits and experiences.
Previous experience and achievements
Prior to joining the BIA, Natalie worked for the Association of Corporate Treasurers and the Federation of Master Builders. She has over 10 years extensive membership operations and customer service experience across the professional body and trade association sectors. Previous to this, Natalie also worked across a range of organisations in the not-for-profit and charity sector including Mencap, Phoenix Futures and Diabetes UK where she was instrumental in helping to deliver effective Policy and Marketing campaigns to better and enrich lives of those living with various health conditions and their family/carers. Natalie has a Masters in Marketing Management from Middlesex University.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would love to host Madam C. J. Walker who was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She was instrumental in pioneering much needed cosmetics and haircare products for black women globally in the late 19th century. It would be a very long night with loads to discuss!
Ekin Ece Erkan Kaplan
What does your role at BIA involve?
Ekin works with the current members and engages with new companies to help grow the BIA community and sustain a healthy life sciences ecosystem in the UK.
Previous experience & achievements
After studying molecular biology and genetics for 8 years, including M.Sc., Ekin decided to get into entrepreneurship and ran her own company for 5 years. Getting bored of working alone and missing being involved in science, Ekin was fortunate enough to join the BIA.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Gregor Mendel, who identified the basics of genetic mechanisms using only pea shots. Laying the foundation of biological sciences without technology and any preliminary knowledge is just beyond my imagination.
Events
Sam Care
What does your role at BIA involve?
Sam leads the events team at BIA, working on developing and expanding BIA's extensive events programme as well as evolving BIA's existing sector-leading events. Sam overseas the end-to-end event logistics, marketing strategy, planning and execution of the events programme and is also responsible for building exciting event supporter opportunities for BIA members. She also helped establish the Women in Biotech mentoring programme and is responsible for the smooth running of the scheme.
Previous experience & achievements
Sam has extensive experience in events and business development roles, having previously worked at the Chartered Governance Institute developing and delivering their event & training programme. She also worked on a joint project with Sport England helping to establish the Sports Governance Academy and has previously worked in recruitment. Sam has a degree in Business Studies from the University of Liverpool.
Chloe Hartley
What does your role at BIA involve?
Chloe's role involves planning and executing large-scale events involving conferences, dinners and exhibitions.
Previous experience
She has previously worked at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the events department, organising conferences and workshops for doctors.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
It would probably be Andrew Carnegie because he had a strong moral compass and built public libraries, theatres and child welfare centres to help better the community.
Anjali Joshi
What does your role at BIA involve?
My role involves the planning and execution of the BIA Webinars, our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workshops, dinners/lunches, and some of our smaller-scale events at BIA. My role also involves helping my team with tasks leading up to the larger events, and to help with on-the-day-coordination at these conferences & exhibitions.
Previous experience & achievements
I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice law and criminology. I previously worked at British Airways Pensions where I was a part of the Committee Servies team and oversaw the Governance and Operations Committee. My role started to shift into overseeing the end-to-end event logistics for in-house corporate events at British Airways Pensions. In this role, I had the opportunity to liaise with large stakeholders in the business would work on various exciting projects with them throughout the year. I also have experience as a wedding event planner and would help with on-the-day-coordination for these events.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would invite Marie Curie as she was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the only woman to receive two Nobel prizes. Marie Curie also has a huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer and has fundamentally changed our understanding of radioactivity.
Marketing
Alina O'Keeffe
What does your role at BIA involve?
Alina joined the BIA in October 2021 as Head of Marketing and Membership Communications. She leads the marketing team and is responsible for developing effective marketing strategies, which play an integral role in achieving BIA's strategic goals and strengthening brand awareness and member engagement. She also helps manage the BIA's Charity of the Year partnership and other strategic collaborations.
Previous experience & achievements
Alina has more than ten years of experience in management and international communications. She plays an integral role in achieving BIA's strategic goals. Her experience lies in various sectors, from the UK's further education sector and national bereavement charity to an international humanitarian and & development organisation and finance/energy events company. She is a published author on marketing, leadership and innovation with a focus on international development and sustainability.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I'd love to meet Maria Salomea Sklodowska, mostly known by her French name - Marie Curie. Despite facing some daunting hurdles, both because of her gender and her family’s poverty, which stemmed from the struggle for independence from the Russian regime, she was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for their work on radioactivity and discovering new elements.
Livia Dascalciuc
What does your role at BIA involve?
In my role, I lead marketing efforts like SEO, content marketing, email campaigns, and PR to boost BIA's visibility in the biotech community and engage with both potential and current member companies. I'm also here to assist our members and external stakeholders with any marketing needs or requests.
Previous experience & achievements
I have over four years' experience working in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. I've led multi-channel marketing campaigns that focus on engaging members and building brand awareness with both members and the public. I understand the importance of a clear, consistent visual identity when communicating with key audiences. It's fascinating how the right tone, message and branding can strengthen a connection with the audience and build trust.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would choose Nikola Tesla. While he wasn’t technically a scientist – he was an engineer and inventor – but his work in electromagnetism transformed both science and engineering. I’m fascinated by his ideas, especially on wireless energy and sustainability. I’d love to hear his thoughts on how his inventions could improve life today, as I believe there is still so much potential to harness them. And, of course, I’d ask what he thinks of Elon Musk’s work with electric vehicles, space travel and renewable energy solutions like SolarCity.
Mark Walakira
What does your role at BIA involve?
I oversee our social media channels and send regular newsletters to keep BIA members informed about the latest sector news and developments. I focus on sharing updates related to life sciences, biotech, start-ups, and pharmaceutical companies to foster discussions and ensure the continued digital visibility of BIA.
Previous experience & achievements
I have experience in the third sector as a Digital Communications Officer, where I worked for an organisation supporting refugee employment in the UK. I have a bachelor’s in political science and a keen interest in international relations, which has equipped me with a deep understanding of political dynamics and their relevance to the BIA. I have created and led exciting campaigns over the last few years, including supporting those affected by the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, and supporting sustainability in rural schools.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would invite Nobel Prize winner David Hubel. His groundbreaking research on the cerebral cortex has significantly advanced our understanding of complex functions such as memory, planning, and language, ultimately contributing to a clearer understanding of our surroundings.
Albert Maguire-King
What does your role at BIA involve?
My role encompasses all that pertains to the press and media. Additionally, I write copy about the BIA to carry the message of the great work we carry out.
Previous experience & achievements
After studying English Literature at Oxford University and living to tell the tale, I worked in a number of different marketing roles before my current position at the BIA.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
If I could invite one scientist to dinner it would be Pythagoras. Accounts of his life and achievements vary dramatically and I would seek to connect with the man behind the mystery.
Content
Saqib Lal
What does your role at BIA involve?
Ensuring that activity of the BIA and its members is turned into effective, impactful and far-reaching content. Saq will lead the content team in helping us to maximise our thought and sector leadership through strategic content development and production.
Previous experience and achievements.
Saq has held various editorial and marketing roles within academic, professional and STM publishing over the past 10-12 years, including his last role as Publisher at The Chartered Governance Institute. Previous employers include the Royal Society of Chemistry and Cambridge University Press. Saq holds a BA in History from Queen Mary and an MA in Publishing from UCL.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Bill Gates: As the co-founder of Microsoft, Gates revolutionised the computer industry and made personal computers accessible to millions. In addition, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has dedicated his resources and efforts to addressing global health, education, and poverty, making a significant impact in areas like eradicating polio and improving access to healthcare and education in developing countries.
Sam Cruickshank
What does your role at BIA involve?
As Programme Manager, Sam oversees the agenda for events that the BIA runs, coordinating with speakers and ensuring that we deliver interesting events that meet the needs of our members and the wider sector. He also oversees BIA's start-up activities to support early-stage companies in the UK ecosystem.
Previous experience & achievements
Sam previously worked in scientific publishing, coordinating peer review and strategic planning and development of scientific journals. Prior to this, he studied for Masters in Biology at the University of Sheffield.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Probably Darwin – as well as being a fascinating person, given the other strange things he ate, he’s unlikely to complain about my cooking!
Wendy Quainoo
What does your role at BIA involve?
As a Data Insights Executive, Wendy specialises in gathering and analysing data across the UK and global biotech sectors. Her work revolves around turning complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that support strategic areas within the BIA. She translates data into intuitive visualizations and reports, allowing key stakeholders and the biotech community to easily understand market trends, research developments and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Previous experience & achievements
Wendy managed laboratory operations at Randox Health, where she used statistical software to analyse data and provide meaningful insights.
As an IT Business Analyst, Wendy facilitated effective communication between stakeholders and technical teams, guiding projects from planning to deployment. Additionally, she managed vendor relations, ensuring clear deliverables and adherence to project timelines.
Wendy has a BSc in Biomedical Science from Coventry University and an MBA in Business Analytics from the University of East London. Wendy has also received Microsoft-accredited AZ-900 and DP-900 certifications, demonstrating her knowledge in key data principles and databases.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
It would be Dr Ivor Horn, we would discuss her upcoming tech solutions in health, especially AI-driven ones. We would also talk about her work at Google, using technology to drive vaccine distribution in pandemic, as well as her thoughts on how to address health inequity in the future.
Sector experts
Dr Christiane Abouzeid
What does your role at BIA involve?
Christiane has been with the BIA since May 2004. She is a lawyer responsible for regulatory issues concerning the research and development of novel technology products and has been involved in influencing legislative and policy developments affecting the life sciences industry in the EU. Christiane is the Clinical Trials Topic Leader for EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries.
Previous experience & achievements
Previously, Christiane was part of the Biosciences Group at Eversheds, joining shortly after qualification at Llewellyn Zeitman (now Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP). She worked at the European Commission for one year. Prior to her legal career, Christiane was a research scientist at University College London and Imperial College School of Medicine for over 12 years. She holds a PhD in microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Louvain (Belgium).
Netty England MBE
What does your role at BIA involve?
Netty has been a consultant for BIA since 2014. Her role is to support BIA’s work on bioprocessing, including the COVID-19 Vaccines Expert Advisory Group, Manufacturing Advisory Committee (MAC), Science and Innovation Community (SIC), bioProcessUK Conference and Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership (MMIP). In 2016, she was a member of the MMIP Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Taskforce and continues to help drive skills recommendations from it.
Previous experience
Netty has been a bioprocessing consultant since 2003, following 15 years in bioprocess development working for Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, British Biotech and Applikon. She holds a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Biochemical Engineering from Birmingham University.
As well as the BIA, Netty also currently consult for the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult on their skills programmes and supports Cytiva in the delivery of an annual oligonucleotides conference. She is part of other voluntary committees including ESACT-UK. Netty was made an MBE for services to the UK Bioprocessing Community and the Vaccine Taskforce in 2021.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I work every day with inspirational people, so enjoy the luxury of dining with them at bioProcessUK and other events. If I had to pick one that I have not yet met, it would be Carl June, for pioneering CAR-T therapies.
Dr Kate Barclay
What does your role at BIA involve?
As an experienced Biochemical Engineer, Kate leads skills and talent programme development across STEM industries using over 30 years of experience within large pharma and small company networks. Working with BIA, she represents the sector ensuring access to the incredible talent and addressing skills gaps to start, grow and scale innovative life sciences and biotech organisations.
Previous experience & achievements
In addition to her role at BIA, Kate works as an independent consultant supporting organisations to develop their skills and talent strategies. She has oversight for quality governance of technical and professional education as IfATE Non-Executive Director and is a Board member of North Hertfordshire College. Kate holds MBA from Open University and a PhD in Bio-Chemical Engineering from UCL. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng FIChemE), she held previous senior leadership roles across diverse pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D portfolios including Solid Dose, Parenteral & Inhaled Devices.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Rosalind Franklin, as she made contributions to the understanding of the fine molecular structures of DNA and RNA. She studied science at a time when few women attended university and led pioneering work on multiple viruses. Kate would love to know what she thinks about what we know now!
Cristina Hernandez Vazquez
What does your role at BIA involve?
As the Skills Programme Executive at the BioIndustry Association (BIA), I am dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent within the life sciences sector. I oversee a range of initiatives designed to equip our members with the skilled workforce they need to thrive. By providing targeted training programs, fostering industry collaborations, and advocating for policies that support workforce development, I ensure that our member companies have access to professionals with the right expertise to drive innovation and growth.
Previous experience & achievements
I studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at King's College London, earning First Class Honours for my dissertation on the impact of healthcare policy changes on hospital function. During my time at King's, I completed a government affairs internship at a telecommunications company in Spain. After graduating, I backpacked across South America and secured a digital marketing internship, successfully increasing year-on-year bookings for a venue during the off-peak season.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
If I could invite any scientist to dinner, it would be Dr. Jane Goodall. Her groundbreaking work in primatology has not only advanced our understanding of chimpanzees but also highlighted the importance of conservation. As a leading female scientist and a passionate advocate for the environment, she has inspired generations to appreciate and protect wildlife. I would love to discuss her discoveries, her conservation efforts, and her insights on the future of our planet.
Operations
Nick Gardiner
What does your role at BIA involve?
Nick is responsible for overseeing the BIA’s operations, ensuring that all activities are professionally delivered to the highest standard and providing an organisation-wide operational perspective to and support for, activities and projects. He has specific responsibility for office management/facilities; financial systems/processes and credit control; the people, skills and talent workstream; company secretariat; human resources and IT/telecoms.
Previous experience & achievements
Nick has extensive industry and not-for-profit management experience. Prior to this role, he ran the Clinical Laboratory Division of Lab21. This involved providing specialist laboratory services to the healthcare, pharmaceutical and clinical trials markets. In that role, Nick had management responsibility for all operations, income, laboratory and customer services and client liaison across the Group. He also has specific and extensive experience of diagnostic testing within the HIV and HCV disease areas. This was gained through building Delphic Diagnostics into a one-stop shop for clinicians, enabling more effective patient monitoring and subsequent treatment options. Nick also has broad management experience within the not-for-profit and charity sector, working for a trade body representing and building the profile of the business communication industry and prior to that working for the world’s oldest active society devoted to natural history.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be?
Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator, independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection. He travelled the world and I would imagine had some excellent stories to tell.
Lauren Bampton-Smith
What does your role at BIA involve?
Lauren is responsible for the corporate finances of the BIA. This includes working with the BIA's outsourced finance function, the Operations team and the Director of Business Development and Membership Services.
Lauren works closely with Membership and Events team staff in invoice generation and collection. Another aspect of her role is providing Credit Control Services to the organisation.
Stephanie Collier
What does your role at BIA involve?
Stephanie provides management support to the operational function of the BIA. Her role encompasses a wide-range of business activities such as human resources, finance, IT, governance, day-to-day office management and facilities.
Previous experience & achievements
Stephanie has worked in the charity and not-for-profit sector for 20 years. After completing a Masters in Musicology specialising in Beethoven and studying with Professor Barry Cooper, she worked in classical music including opera, artist and tour management. Stephanie has worked for a number of membership organisations and start-ups, covering music, economics, law and now life sciences with the BIA. She has a wealth of experience of supporting C-Suite teams and senior leaders, in running their businesses. Stephanie is passionate about people, helping others and enriching colleague’s working lives.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
JS Bach. I would ask him if he consciously linked maths in his compositions, particularly the Fibonacci sequence and Golden section. Or was it just an expression which poured out of him. I suspect a bit of both. His output was prolific and somewhat entrepreneurial. What would he think of music and AI? A master of patterns, structure and multi layered textures, his music is simple, complex and beautiful at the same time, like nature, the human body and the mind.