Steve Bates is a recognised sector leader, after 13 years at the helm of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) as chief executive officer, he has joined the UK Office for Life Sciences this year as executive chair. Steve was a founder member of the UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce. Internationally, Steve has been a board member of Europabio and was chair of the International Council of Biotech Associations. Steve was made OBE for services to innovation in 2017 and became a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020.

Earlier in his career Steve worked for leading global biotech Genzyme and served in the government of Tony Blair working on NHS delivery and the Northern Ireland peace process. Steve will play a large role in overseeing the implementation of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and its commitments to innovation and access for medicines and medtech.