Universities and Science Minister David Willetts and Health Minister Lord Howe appointed Brinsmead to this joint post between the Departments of Health and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
‘There is real potential for the life sciences industry to contribute to our future economic growth as well as meeting healthcare challenges. To realise this potential, it is vital that Government takes a coordinated approach to policymaking,’ said Willetts.
Lord Howe added that Brinsmead would ‘maximise the relationship between the NHS and the life sciences sector’. Part of his role will be to support communication of health and business policy developments to the NHS, academia and the life sciences industry as a whole.
He will also champion the UK as an investment location and as the trading partner of choice in life sciences.
Brinsmead has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. Most recently, he has held the positions of chairman of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals UK, and President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
He is also chairman of the UKTI Life Sciences Marketing Board, and has also served as a UKTI Business Ambassador, and as co-chair of the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group (MISG) working group on r&d.
Brinsmead will not be paid – other than expenses – in his new role. Initially the appointment is for 12 months, but it could be extended to two years.
The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the British In Vitro Diagnostic Association (BIVDA), have welcomed the appointment.
‘The UK is determined to remain a world leader in the field of life sciences,’ they said in a joint statement.
‘By helping the government, NHS, academia and industry to work together, Chris can play a key role in helping the UK maintain its comparative advantage.’