Life Sciences Hub Wales has announced its new board.

MediWales reports the executive chair is Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, who was the first chair of Public Health Wales NHS Trust and is current chair of the Bevan Commission. He is also Professor of Public Health Education at the Centre for Psychosocial, Occupational and Physician Health at Cardiff University, and was recently appointed as Professor of Prudent Health and Wellbeing at the School of Management, Swansea University. Earlier in his career he was Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director and Chief Scientist at the Department for Work and Pensions in London.

Sir Mansell Aylward said “This appointment comes at a critical time when the Board of the Life Sciences Hub will be developing a repurposed vision and mission which must include developing opportunities to broaden the scope of the Hub and creating value from engagement by NHS Wales with industry and academia.”

The board also includes Jarred Evans, commercial director at PDR, Dr Rhodri Griffiths, managing director at Societas Management Ltd, Dr Melya Hughes Crameri of Ventac Partners, Professor Tim Irish, Professor of Practice at King’s College London, Rupert Jones, managing director of Reninshaw plc , Chris Martin, deputy chairman of the Bevan Commission, Catherine O’Brien, director of the Welsh Blood Service and Dr Penny Owen, commercial director of the National Physical Laboratory. The team brings considerable knowledge and expertise to the Hub with experience spanning the sector including the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Cari-Anne Quinn, interim CEO at Life Sciences Hub Wales, said “It’s fantastic to see so many distinguished and respected figures serving on the board. Their collective knowledge in all aspects of the life sciences sector will be invaluable in helping the Hub to continue its mission to make Wales the country of choice for the acceleration of innovation.”

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said “I welcome the appointment of the new Life Sciences Hub board and am confident that the collective expertise, experience and talent of the Chair and appointees will mean that the Board is able to make a huge contribution to the Life Sciences Sector in Wales. I look forward to working constructively with the new Board as we progress our work to accelerate economic development within the sector and further establish Wales as one of the best environments in the world for Life Sciences innovation.”