Steve Bates has been appointed the new chief executive of the BioIndustry Association (BIA).
Previously senior director of external affairs and market access at Genzyme UK and Ireland, he worked on the establishment of the Office for Life Science and was a member of the BIA's Communications Advisory Committee.
Prior to joining the industry he was special advisor to John Reid MP in his time as Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Health, Northern Ireland Secretary and Defence Secretary.
Earlier in his career Bates led the Labour Party media team into the general election in 2001 and was a broadcast business journalist at Dow Jones and ITN.
UK bioscience is at the heart of the new global economy. The sector's talented and visionary researchers, developers and executives are producing the treatments and innovations to help patients in the future
Tim Edwards, BIA chairman, said of the appointment: "We are delighted that Steve is joining the BIA. I am certain his experience in the bioscience sector and within government will prove to be invaluable. He will work with BIA members to engage government on our policy initiatives, such as the Citizens Innovation Fund, and to ensure that the Coalition government delivers on the Strategy for UK Life Sciences.
A Cambridge University graduate, Bates added: “UK bioscience is at the heart of the new global economy. The sector's talented and visionary researchers, developers and executives are producing the treatments and innovations to help patients in the future. The sector is also providing highly-skilled jobs and growth for the UK. That is why I am so excited to have this opportunity to lead the UK's trade association for bioscience companies.
"Having worked both in government and biotech I know how to be an effective voice for the sector and look forward to working in partnership with government, academia and the health service to enable bioscience companies in the UK to succeed."
