Dr Angela Kukula is CEO of MedCity, and Director of Life Sciences at London & Partners where she leads a team of professionals championing the development of the life sciences sector in London, promoting London as the premier global destination for life science, and supporting high growth life sciences companies to make their home in London and to thrive and grow.

Angela has worked in the London Life Science ecosystem for over 12 years, most recently as Commercial Director at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital and prior to that as Director of Business and Innovation at the Institute of Cancer Research.

She is a recognised technology transfer specialist. She sits on the Board of Oxford University Innovation and is a past chair of Knowledge Exchange UK, the professional body for technology transfer.

She is passionate about supporting the next generation of life science leaders through her work as governor of two London secondary schools, one of which is a life sciences specialist academy.

Angela completed her undergraduate Bachelor degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, and her PhD in Molecular Immunology and Genetics at the Institute of Child Health, University of London. Angela also has an MBA specialising in Technology Management, and a LLM in Commercial Law.

Claus Andersen is a Solicitor in the Corporate department at Freeths LLP. He advises companies, entrepreneurs, and investors in the Technology and Life Sciences sector on mergers and acquisitions, shareholders’ agreements, joint ventures, fundraising, corporate structures, regulatory matters, corporate governance (including the Bribery Act 2010), licensing, and collaboration agreements. His clients range from start-ups to publicly listed companies and include leading pharmaceutical, MedTech, HealthTech, and Biotech businesses, as well as their suppliers and subcontractors.

Claus is recognised for providing quick, pragmatic, and efficient advice that enables clients to achieve their commercial objectives. He understands that every client has unique requirements and ensures his guidance is tailored to support their specific goals.

Freeths LLP is a full-service, nationwide law firm with offices in 13 UK cities. Ranked among the UK’s top 50, the firm specialises in providing business law advice across corporate, commercial, intellectual property, finance, real estate, employment, dispute resolution, and regulatory matters. Freeths works with clients ranging from start-ups and SMEs to companies listed on the main markets in Europe, Asia, and North America, with particular strength in the Technology and Life Sciences sectors.

Dace is a National Life Sciences Specialist within the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme. In this role, she supports internationally mobile tech entrepreneurs and their IP-rich businesses to scale and grow from a UK-based global headquarters.

Dace plays a pivotal role in attracting and increasing investment in the UK’s Life Sciences sector, helping to advance the country’s strategic ambitions in this field. She works closely with businesses, providing tailored support and guidance on establishing or expanding their UK presence. Her work includes enabling regional partnerships, connecting investors with live opportunities and industry contacts, and identifying optimal investment locations.

Through her engagement with global networks and thought leaders across regional systems, Dace leads the Life Sciences portfolio and sets the operational strategy for the UK. Her efforts are aligned with the UK’s inward investment objectives in Life Sciences and priority international markets. Dace’s expertise spans over 30 therapeutic areas across primary, secondary, and social care settings. She supports a wide range of innovators and enterprises in pharmaceuticals, MedTech, digital health, and biotechnology.

Ben Reasbeck, Head of Life Sciences and Health Technology, Barclays Innovation Banking

Ben is Head of Life Sciences & HealthTech at Barclays, where he leads strategic initiatives to support high growth and innovative businesses. Ben helps companies scale from early stage to market leadership. He is passionate about driving innovation, connecting businesses with growth opportunities, and harnessing ecosystems that accelerate success.

With over 20 years of experience Johnny is an expert in supporting early-stage technology companies to access the capital to grow and scale. His core strength lies in strategic capital raising advice, a critical skillset for navigating the complexities of securing investment. Currently, Johnny is part of the national operational team leading Innovate UK’s flagship investment readiness programme equipping early-stage founders across the UK with the tools, strategies, and guidance to secure investment.

Arup Nath is the Commercial Director for UCLPartners, where he leads the Commercial team to act as the front-door for industry. The team work with enterprises of all sizes with the aim of identifying high-value innovations that can be adopted and scaled by the National Health Service to improve healthcare, drive down costs, and stimulate economic growth.

Prior to joining UCLPartners, he was a management consultantworking the NHS and the biopharma sector. He has a PhD in molecular neuroscience (specialising in neurodegeneration) from the University of Oxford

I am Ecosystem Manager based in Oxford. With 13 years experience in the banking sector almost entirely supporting businesses, the last 6 years have focussed on supporting innovation. Specialising in Heathtech and Lifescience, I work closely with high growth companies to help them navigate the innovation ecosystem – connecting them with the right professionals and investors and enabling them to access tools and resources that support scale-up and long term growth.

Ryan Johnson

Manager, Business & IP Centre (BIPC), Oxfordshire County Council

Ryan Johnson is the Manager of the award winning Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Oxfordshire and host of Startup Huddle Oxford, bringing 25 years of experience in local government and community-facing economic development. He leads BIPC Oxfordshire in helping entrepreneurs and innovators to start, protect, and grow their businesses, while championing inclusive and equitable access to enterprise support across the county.

Ryan plays a central role in strengthening Oxfordshire’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by bringing together partners from the public sector, universities and the private sector to support high growth innovation. Working at the heart of one of Europe’s leading life sciences and deep tech clusters, he regularly supports international visitors and delegations in navigating Oxfordshire’s research, innovation, and commercialisation landscape, connecting them with the people, networks, and opportunities that enable successful collaboration with the Oxfordshire ecosystem.