Event

Creating a Scientific Superpower 2025

05 Jun 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm QEII Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3EE

Brought to you by the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster & Bidwells, the Creating a Scientific Superpower conference returned for its fourth year.

Jun 2025

Time:

8:00am - 5:00pm

Address:

QEII Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3EE

Following the resounding success of the previous year’s event, the 2025 Scientific Superpower Conference brought together the brightest minds, visionaries, and leaders to help shape the UK’s future as a global scientific superpower.

The conference featured a day of dynamic discussions, networking opportunities, and enterprising insights that explored how to build a globally competitive ecosystem to advance innovation and productivity.

Attendees had the chance to engage directly with leading scientists, government ministers, business leaders, and investors who were actively shaping the UK’s journey to global scientific leadership. The event offered an exceptional platform to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and contribute to the nation’s roadmap for science and innovation.

Contributors:

Matt Allen

Senior Executive Director, Clients, Markets & Strategy

Max Bryan

Partner, Head of Laboratory & Office Agency

Event photos

Scientific Superpower Conference 2025 Event Sponsors

Event Agenda

08:00 - 09:00

Registration and Breakfast Networking

09:00 - 09:15

Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:15 - 09:35

Keynote Address: Vision for the OxCam Growth Corridor

Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science

09:35 - 10:25

Panel Discussion: Investing in the UK Innovation Ecosystem

Chair: Gillian Tett, OBE, Provost, King's College Cambridge
Ed Bussey, CEO, Oxford Sciences Enterprises
Jim Stretton, MD, Advanced Research Clusters
Dan Glazer, Partner, Wilson Sonsini
Mei Lim, CFO and Managing Partner, Anthemis

10:25 - 10:55

Networking Break

10:55 - 11:45

Panel Discussion: Beyond Oxford and Cambridge: How Science-Led Growth Can Deliver for the Whole UK

Chair: Dan Thorp, CEO, Cambridge Ahead
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice Chancellor, University of Oxford
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge
Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
Steve Rotheram, Mayor, Liverpool City Region

11:45 - 12:05

In Conversation with Shaun Grady, Chair, AstraZeneca UK

With: Rachel Wolf, Founder, Public First

12:05 - 12:55

Lunch and Networking

12:55 - 13:45

Panel Discussion: Turbocharging the UK Economy with AI

Chair: Carolyn Esser, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Darktrace
Dr Daniel Hulme, CEO, SATALIA
Arti Garg, Chief Technologist – AVEVA
Jacob Ayres-Thomson, CEO, 3AI
Kirsty Lloyd-Jukes, Entrepreneur in Residence, Oxford Science Enterprises

13:45 - 14:30

Panel Discussion: Innovation Driving the National Industrial Strategy

Chair: Rain Newton-Smith, Director General, CBI
Professor Paul Newman CBE, Founder and CTO, Oxa
Oriel Petry, Senior Vice President, Airbus
Professor Simon Harwood, UK Capability Development Director, Leonardo

14:30 - 14:55

Afternoon Break

14:55 - 15:15

In Conversation with Lisa Flashner, COO, Ellison Institute of Technology

With: Richard Todd, Head of Built Environment, Bidwells

15:15 - 16:00

Panel Discussion: Building Globally Significant S&T Destinations

Chair: Dr Andy Williams, Chair, Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board
Roxanne Varza, Director, Station F, Paris
Daniel Clark, Business Development Director, New York City Economic Development
Beth O’Neill Maloney, Executive Director, Kendall Square Association
Kathryn Chapman, Executive Director, Innovate Cambridge

16:00 - 16:05

Closing Remarks