UK Office for Life Sciences: Steve Bates appointed new Executive Chair

Steve Bates is appointed Executive Chair of the British Office for Life Sciences "to help champion research and innovation and the use of technology to transform health and grow the UK economy", says the UK government on 22/07/2025.

"The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) will report directly to the Business Secretary in addition to the Health Secretary and Technology Secretary, recognising that driving economic growth and investment in this key sector will be a crucial part of the OLS agenda in support of the Plan for Change", states the government.

This aims to attest that the Labour government, in office since June 2024, is committed to delivering its Life Sciences Sector Plan, its "ambitious blueprint for unleashing the UK’s circa £100 Bn life sciences sector as a force for economic growth and bettering the nation’s health, in aid of the Plan for Change".

"Forming one of the eight core pillars of the modern Industrial Strategy, the Plan sets out the government’s commitment to deepening its ties with the life sciences sector and strengthening the Office for Life Sciences to do so"…