Described by the UK government as “a jewel in the crown” of the economy, Britain’s life science sector boasts an annual turnover of £30bn and employs around 70,000 people across 380 companies. And in the government’s view – as laid out in its strategy for the sector – this is an industry where the UK can establish a leadership position, particularly in the emerging field of harnessing genomic data.
It’s also an industry where startups and early are expected to play an important role in driving innovation. And according to BioBeat, an organisation established in 2012 to bring “fresh energy and growth” to the sector, women are set to play a vital and transformational within the industry.