Last year BIA published a first of its kind sector report on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across UK Biotech. As a benchmark for the broader industry, it provided meaningful insights and a strong evidence base for companies to celebrate success and collaborate on recommendations for action.
Data showed that the UK Biotech industry is as diverse as the broader UK population. However, Black employees are notably under-represented, and evidence shows a significant drop in numbers when moving to senior leadership and c-suite roles. Hear from our expert panel of sector leaders and early career talent on their experiences and join our interactive workshop on opportunities to work together as a sector to lead meaningful change.
Bookings are now open!
RSVP by emailing BIA Events team – [email protected] your full name, job title, organisation and email address.
Please note: this is a free, invite only event for people with a focus on talent within their organisations. We have limited space available so kindly ask you only register if you are available for the whole event and have a strong intention of attending the event in full.
Agenda
11:15 – 11:30 Registration and refreshments
11:30 – 13:00 Panel session - Future Black Leaders in UK Biotech
13:00 – 13:30 Networking lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Workshop & Collaboration
15:00 – 15:30 Networking and refreshments
Speakers
Michael Adeniya
Michael is an experienced commercial leader with nearly 20 years of experience in creating, launching, and growing purpose-driven B2B brands, particularly in the pharma and biotech sector. He is currently Managing Director of Front Line Genomics, a leading media brand and organisers of The Festival of Genomics, the largest life science event in the UK.
He's passionate about delivering value and impact to customers and stakeholders, as well as building teams that really care about fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the communities they serve. He's a TEDx speaker, advisory board member and mentor to young talent and entrepreneurs.
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!
Reuben Dawkins
Reuben Dawkins is a forward-thinking and collaborative leader, who brings over 15 years of experience to his role as CEO of Link Biologics. Since founding the preclinical-stage biotechnology company in 2021, Reuben has been instrumental in driving the company’s continued success and generating increased stakeholder value as it focuses resources on the development of a ground-breaking protein biological drug, Link_TSG6.
Under his leadership, Link Biologics has secured Series A funding, forged a >£200 million pharmaceutical partnership, achieved preclinical proof of concept in an additional disease indication and developed a manufacturing process ready to support clinical trials. The company is now well positioned to advance its mission to transform the standard of care provided to the millions of people who suffer from inflammatory and degenerative disorders.
Prior to founding Link Biologics, Reuben was a Global Product Director for Novo Nordisk, where he played a key role in shaping and executing strategies for early-stage research and assets targeting markets totalling $12 billion. Over the course of his career he has held various leadership positions, such as a Global Product Lead for a $1.5 billion portfolio, Chair of a Global Life Cycle Management team and (interim) Business Unit Director in China, where he achieved remarkable business unit sales growth and identified opportunities for substantial long-term sales increases.
Reuben holds a BSc in Chemistry with Business Management from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Drug Design with distinction and Dean's List honours from University College London.
Peju Oshisanya
Peju is an experienced clinical development researcher with over 20 years in clinical research. She specializes in leading global clinical programs, with expertise in drug development across multiple therapeutic areas. Peju has worked with biotech and pharmaceutical companies, from First-in-Human (FIH) trials to Marketing Authorization Application/New Drug Application (MAA/NDA) submissions. She is also a strong advocate for diversity in clinical research and the use of AI to enhance inclusive data generation.
Daniel Similaki
Daniel Similaki, a German-born Afro-European, is the founder of ACCSN, an organisation dedicated to boosting the representation of black and ethnic minorities in the commercial and broader life science industries. His vision and mission stem from years of frustration over the lack of initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in these fields. Having experienced firsthand the challenges and obstacles that many minorities face in their careers, Daniel is determined to address these issues head-on.
A firm believer in giving back, Daniel volunteered for a medical outreach programme in Africa for 2 years and 7 months. This life-changing experience allowed him to visit numerous countries, including Botswana, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia.
Daniel has extensive experience leading diversity and inclusion initiatives and in designing and developing inclusive training programmes. He describes his approach to DE&I as 'Evidence-based DE&I', utilising innovative and person-centric methods to explore these themes comfortably.
Amina Udechuku
Dr Amina Udechuku is the Commercial Head of Vaccines, UK and started with Takeda UK as the senior leader in the Market Access and Pricing department at the beginning of 2020. Amina has historically co-led the UK Gender Parity Network Employee Resource Group and represented the UK on the regional Europe & Canada Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) council. In 2020, Amina established and has since co-led the UK & Ireland DE&I Council.
Prior to joining Takeda, Amina led the Market Access strategy and activities in a pharmaceutical company specialising in rare diseases and was responsible for UK strategic market access for a key therapeutic area, as well as working with regional (European) and Global cross-functional colleagues in early product development. Amina has also spent some years in leadership positions in Global Market Access consultancies leading large Heath Economics and Outcome Research Projects, and at University College London in an academic group commissioned to develop clinical mental health guidelines.
Amina recently co-founded ‘Black Professionals in Life Sciences’, an organisation with a mission to actively champion the representation and success of black and ethnically diverse professionals in the life science industry.
Amina holds a BSc in Psychology, and a PhD in Epidemiology with her thesis on ‘Demographic and modifiable risk factors in age related cognitive impairment’, both from Loughborough University.
Venue
Cooley
22 Bishops Gate
London
EC2N 4BQ
BIA Annual Supporters
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