David is the Minister for Universities and Science, and has been the Member of Parliament for Havant since 1992. David has worked at HM Treasury, the Number 10 Policy Unit, the Centre for Policy Studies and served as Paymaster General in the last Conservative Government. He has also previously served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions.

Martin Humphries is Professor of Biochemistry, Vice-President & Dean in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Manchester, UK. Martin is also a member of the Society of Biology Council and Chairman of the Biochemical Society.

Talk title: "Post CSR: The Society of Biology perspective"

David Sweeney has been Director (Research, Innovation and Skills) since 2008. In this role he is responsible for developing policy on Research (including the Research Assessment Exercise and Research Excellence Framework), Business and Community and Employer Engagement.

Talk title: "Research Assessment, Impact and Funding"

Tom Blundell is the current Chair of BBSRC Council. In addition, he is President of the Biochemical Society Executive Committee and from 1 October 2003 Head of the Council of Biological Sciences in Cambridge.  

Talk title: "Academia and Industry in the Life Sciences: Networks and Clusters"

Nick is Director of Science and Medical Public Affairs at Pfizer Global R&D. Prior to his appointment at Pfizer, he was Director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE).
 

Talk title: "R&D in the UK: Inward Investment and External Collaboration"