Board elections - other candidate statements
Other members
Lucy Allen
Strategic Leadership and Collaboration in Life Sciences
As a senior leader with over 18 years of experience in across the life sciences sector including industry, government funder and charity experience, I have driven innovation in patient-focused research and established cross-sector partnerships to advance healthcare solutions. In my current role as Director of Research and Healthcare Data at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, I lead a diverse £28 million research portfolio, oversee the UK Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform (CTAP), and manage a diverse range of research initiatives which aim to build expertise and capacity supporting life science companies and academics to accelerate cutting-edge research and innovation. This aligns with the BioIndustry Association’s (BIA) mission to enable and grow the UK life sciences ecosystem by fostering groundbreaking innovation.
Expertise in Collaborative Research and Infrastructure Development
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated expertise in building strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and healthcare. At the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, I have secured over £15 million in co-funding, enabling the UK to remain globally competitive in CF research. I also lead CTAP which connects NHS CF centres with industry partners to accelerate delivery of clinical trials. CTAP was cited in the recent O’Shaughnessy review as an example of how to improve delivery of commercial clinical research in the UK. My experience mirrors BIA’s work in supporting start-ups, research centres, and industry leaders to drive collaborative innovation across the biotech sector.
Motivation and Commitment to the BIA’s Vision
My motivation for joining the BIA board is rooted in a shared vision for advancing life sciences research and improving patient outcomes. I believe that my extensive experience in fostering cross-sector collaborations, managing research portfolios, and engaging with patient communities positions me to contribute significantly to the BIA’s work. I am excited about the opportunity to help promote and drive innovation, and represent the viewpoints of researchers, clinicians, and patients within the life sciences and biotech industries.
Adeel Aslam
Nomination Overview for Adeel Aslam as Non-Executive Director, BIA Board
I am Adeel Aslam, currently serving as the Technical Director and Deputy Managing Director at Bouygues Energies & Services (BYES), with over 17 years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. My leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams and strategic planning aligns with BIA’s mission to foster growth and innovation in the UK life sciences sector.
Regional Development and Advocacy
As a Northern Powerhouse Investment Champion for the Department of Business & Trade (DBT), I actively promote the North-West region as a biotech and pharma hub internationally. I am particularly keen on attracting investment that supports sector growth beyond the lab, facilitating the scale-up of businesses to retain IP within the UK. My advocacy efforts and extensive network within the biotech and life sciences sectors will ensure regional viewpoints are represented and industry collaborations fostered.
Innovative Concept Transformation
I have a track record of transforming innovative concepts and advancing biotechnological innovations and sustainability within the sector. My experience in leading projects from feasibility to commercial implementation directly aligns with BIA’s objectives.
Commitment to Sustainability & Industry Advancement
As a member of the BIA MAC Sustainability Group, I am dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the biotech industry. This commitment, combined with my dedication to advancing the UK’s biotech and life sciences industries, drives my motivation to join the BIA Board. I aim to contribute to the association’s strategic direction, providing valuable industry support and representation for its members.
Contribution to BIA’s Strategic Initiatives
My extensive background in process engineering, strategic leadership, and industry advocacy makes me a strong candidate for the BIA Board. My contributions will be invaluable in driving the association’s strategic initiatives forward, ensuring continued support for innovation and investment in the sector. My commitment is to foster an
Roel Bulthuis
I’m proud to have been at the forefront of life sciences venture capital in Europe for over 20 years. Having built Merck’s M-Ventures into a leading corporate VC fund and spearheaded the growth of Inkef Capital from Amsterdam, I’m now enjoying working at the heart of the UK’s life sciences ecosystem. Through my role at Syncona, I’m pursuing four passions that align closely to the BIA’s values.
Passionate about building biotechs
I’ve spent my career supporting biotech companies and leadership, using my network and VC experience to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and successful businesses. I understand the challenges that companies and investors face, and how they can best work together to deliver for patients.
Passionate about growing ecosystems
I’m passionate about supporting ecosystems and fostering innovation across companies of all sizes. My healthcare and tech investment experience extends across the UK, US and Europe, and spans all stages of company development. This gives me a broad perspective on how to drive growth and unlock the UK’s potential in biotech.
Passionate about supporting the next generation
As a "self-confessed “people geek”, I’m passionate about nurturing biotech’s next generation. I understand the importance of empowering emerging talent and what it takes to build a successful career. I pioneered a VC fellowship in Europe and actively support programmes such as Level 20 and the Kauffman Fellowship. I believe I’d be an excellent board representative for BIA members of today and tomorrow.
Passionate about fostering inclusive cultures
I understand the importance of culture and ensuring all voices in the biotech community are heard – it’s crucial to create inclusive environments where everyone can contribute. I would bring this ethos to the BIA board, ensuring that the community’s diverse perspectives are represented and considered in shaping the future of UK life sciences.
Pete Finan
Pete has been an active contributor to the BIA Board for the last three years and in addition, he is a member of the Finance and Audit committee and the BIA Executive Committee. In his role on the Executive Committee, he has acted as a sounding board for the BIA management in strategic and operational matters and was actively involved in supporting the team during the Silicon Valley Banking crisis. Pete’s experience from senior transatlantic industry roles, dealing with the day-to-day complexities of building venture-backed start-ups and his passion for continuing to build the sector in the UK, ensures he is well qualified for re-election to the BIA Board.
Pete has more than 30 years of experience in building and financing early-stage therapeutics companies and in leading multiple drug discovery programs within the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Epidarex, Pete was Site Head for the Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research in the UK. In this role, he had strategic and operational oversight for the pre-clinical respiratory portfolio.
Pete is a former Executive Director of the Novartis Developmental and Molecular Pathways Platform based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In this capacity, he managed a team of 300 scientists engaged in target discovery, validation, and early drug discovery programs across various therapeutic areas including oncology, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autoimmunity, and inflammation. The approaches used have been extensively published in Nature and Cell and Pete was awarded the Novartis Leading Scientist Award in 2007.
As a Partner at Epidarex Capital, Pete has been instrumental in sourcing and building out the Epidarex portfolio, including investments in companies across the length and breadth of the UK. He currently serves on the Boards of Enterprise Therapeutics, Leucid, Epsilogen, Curve, Lario, Theolytics, and Lunac Therapeutics. These companies have raised in excess of £200 million in financing since creation.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin: Enabling Talent to Drive Innovation and Growth in Life Sciences Professional Background and Leadership
Ricky Martin began his STEM career in biochemistry at Cardiff University in 2003 and has actively supported talent development since his graduation. He launched Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS) in 2012, inspired by his win on BBC One’s The Apprentice. Ricky’s expertise in biochemistry has been pivotal in propelling HRS to a leadership position within the recruitment sectors of Biopharma, Biotech, TechBio, and Bioprocessing.
Extended Role as Investor and NED An active investor and Non-Executive Director, Ricky holds strategic roles across various training, technology, and production companies. His significant collaborations include those with the former CEO of the Evening Standard and the Managing Director of Mail on Sunday, which have enriched his insights into business development and governance.
Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethics As past chair and current member of the Life Science Committee for the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), the UK’s leading professional body for recruitment, Ricky champions diversity, inclusion, and ethical standards. His leadership ensures recruitment practices that promote equity and value diversity across all levels.
Strategic Contribution to BIA With over two decades of experience placing more than 6,000 Life scientists globally, Ricky’s insights into Employer Value Propositions, hiring strategies, and market intelligence are invaluable. His global view on talent and experience with clients in the TechBio sector uniquely position him to actively support BIA’s current initiatives, including the new collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute and the European BioSolutions Coalition. These initiatives aim to bolster support for biotech companies, aligning perfectly with Ricky’s expertise and BIA’s strategic objectives.
Motivation for Serving as NED Driven by a vision to positively "change lives," Ricky’s extensive experience as a biochemist and seasoned business leader makes him an excellent candidate for the BIA board. He is committed to representing and advocating for the interests of the entire biotech community, fostering innovation and growth within the industry.
