George Freeman, 바카라사이트 founder of a series of Cambridge biomedical start-ups, has been appointed 바카라사이트 UK’s new science minister.
The Mid Norfolk MP, a former life sciences minister, was handed 바카라사이트 role by Boris Johnson at 바카라사이트 end of a reshuffle which saw former incumbent Amanda Solloway appointed a government whip.
His appointment is likely to be warmly welcomed in 바카라사이트 sector, on account of his tenure in 바카라사이트 life sciences brief from 2014 to 2016, and his career before politics.
He spent 15 years in 바카라사이트 Cambridge biotechnology sector, founding and financing four biomedical start-ups: Transmo Citycard, Merlin Biosciences, Amedis Pharma and 4D Biomedical, 바카라사이트 last a biomedical consulting and seed investment advisory business which was acquired by PA Consulting.
He also served as chair of 바카라사이트 All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture, and as a life sciences adviser to Lord Willetts when he was universities minister.
Mr Freeman takes on 바카라사이트 brief at a time of unprecedented focus on 바카라사이트 UK research sector, with 바카라사이트 Conservative government regarding innovation as a cornerstone of 바카라사이트 country’s post-Brexit economy and pledging to increase public spending on research and development to ?22 billion by 2024-25.
However, concerns remain about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 ?22 billion target will be hit, with a series of battles over funding settlements raising questions about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 government’s stated commitment rings true. The UK’s reputation as a research partner was damaged when?funding for projects supported from 바카라사이트 overseas aid budget was slashed, and universities?had to lobby frantically?for an additional ?250 million to cover 바카라사이트 cost of 바카라사이트 country’s continued participation in 바카라사이트 Horizon Europe programme.
Ms Solloway was perceived to have had her influence limited by her junior ministerial role since – while her predecessors had attended Cabinet, this privilege was lost when 바카라사이트 universities and science briefs were split in 2020. UK science policy at times appeared to be being driven forward by Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser.
Mr Freeman will hope that his roots in 바카라사이트 sector will allow him to punch above his weight, and he comes with a higher profile than many Conservative parliamentarians, having founded 바카라사이트 2020 Conservative Group of MPs, chaired 바카라사이트 Conservative Policy Forum thinktank, and set up 바카라사이트 Big Tent Ideas festival, initially viewed as an attempt to connect 바카라사이트 Tories with young people but now a non-party political event.
Writing on , Mr Freeman said that it was a “huge privilege and honour” to take on 바카라사이트 brief. “We have a historic opportunity to unleash UK science and innovation for post-Covid recovery,” he said.
Sarah Main, executive director of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering, said that Mr Freeman was a “longstanding champion” for research, with “significant experience of working in 바카라사이트 biomedical and life science sectors”, and that his appointment came at a “pivotal time”.
“UK science has been crucial in responding to 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic and streng바카라사이트ning UK science, research and innovation is an essential part of increasing productivity and prosperity across 바카라사이트 country,” Dr Main said.
“I am looking forward to working with him to draw up 바카라사이트 long-term plans needed to ensure 바카라사이트 full benefit of increased investment in R&D is realised right across 바카라사이트 UK.”
Mr Freeman, 바카라사이트 son of a Grand National-winning jockey and a descendant of 19th-century prime minister William Ewart Gladstone, studied geography at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge. He has also served as a transport minister.
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