Ministers join powerhouse line-up for Scientific Superpower event 

Grant Shapps, secretary of state for the department for energy security and net zero, and Chloe Smith, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, have joined a stellar list of speakers at EG’s Creating a Scientific Superpower event. The event, run in partnership with Bidwells, brings together business leaders from the life sciences and real estate worlds to help support and develop the UK as a global scientific superpower. Two ministers joining the line-up underscores the value of the sector to the UK’s economy and its importance to the government. Smith will deliver a keynote speech underlining the importance of supporting life sciences growth in the UK, building on this month’s announcement that government would consult on adding new requirements to the National Planning Policy Framework for decision makers to pay particular regard to R&D needs, including lab space. Shapps is expected to call on the scientific and innovation sectors to help support the transition to a net zero economy, highlighting the importance of the sector in attracting talent and new business to the UK. Nick Pettit, senior partner at Bidwells, said:  “It is a big stride in the right direction that we have not just one but two government ministers attending this event. “Having cabinet ministers hear directly from the leaders of our life sciences giants and the real estate businesses facilitating the expansion of the sector’s operational space, at the same time, is a relatively rare occurrence. “But the value of this interaction cannot be overstated. It is not just about dialogue, but the creation of a collaborative approach across government and the real estate sector, to drive science and technology forward and secure its position as a cornerstone of the UK economy.” Delegates at the event – which is being held at the QEII Centre on 28 June – will also hear from senior business leaders at GSK, AstraZeneca, the UK Space Agency, BioMed, British Land and Moderna among others. To get your ticket to this free event and find out more about the line-up, visit: https://blog3.s47657.p1364.sites.pressdns.com/eg-events/creating-a-scientific-superpower/ To send feedback, e-mail newsdesk@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGPropertyNews Images © Shutterstock