Dace is a Dealmaker for the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), advising IP rich and R&D intensive life sciences and technology companies, as well as globally mobile entrepreneurs, on scaling operations in the UK and using the UK as a platform for international growth.

At the heart of her work is driving inward investment into the UK Life Sciences sector supporting founders with UK market entry, expansion, and long term growth, while connecting them with the right investors, partners, and regions.

Alongside her national role, Dace is the Life Sciences Sector Development Lead at Manchester Growth Company, where she shapes and strengthens the Greater Manchester Life Sciences ecosystem. She leads strategic and operational relationships across GMCA, the ten Greater Manchester Local Authorities, universities, business partners, and national and local programmes. Her work supports the delivery of Greater Manchester’s sector development strategies and identifies new growth opportunities for the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, aligned with the Growth Company’s wider ambitions.

Dace is also Director of Innovation and Investment Ventures, focusing on building strong innovation pipelines, supporting investment ready businesses, and connecting global capital with high impact life sciences and health innovation opportunities across the UK.

With more than 13 years of NHS operational and clinical research experience across 30+ therapeutic areas, Dace brings strong system level insight across pharmaceuticals, MedTech, digital health, and biotechnology. She works closely with the NHS, NIHR, academia, industry, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and investors to drive R&D collaboration, support NHS adoption, and accelerate commercial scale up across the UK.

Andrew Toolan, Head of Inward Investment, Financial, Professional & Business Services:

Andrew has worked in inward investment for 15 years and is part of the senior management team at Invest Manchester, which is responsible for promoting the city-region to global investors, attracting companies, and helping existing firms to expand. During his time here, Andrew has led various sector teams and strategic partnerships for the organisation. Andrew has supported investors such as WorldPay, BNY, BCLP, Freshfields and OakNorth. A graduate from the University of Manchester, Andrew has also worked in economic development consultancy, providing advisory, research, and evaluation services for localities across the UK.

Amy is the Head of International Trade at Greater Manchester Chamber. During her time at the Chamber, she has been supporting companies to import and export across the world, as well as developing the current international trade service offering.

Prior to working at the Chamber, Amy completed her BA Honours Degree in Management at the University of Leeds. Amy has also completed the Chartered Institute of Export, Level 4 Diploma in International Trade and was awarded her Certificate in International Trade from the British Chambers of Commerce.

She delivers training for Greater Manchester Chamber, as well as other Chambers across the UK, on exporting and importing customs procedures.

Amy can support companies with UK customs related queries (customs declarations, customs special procedure applications, customs procedure codes) as well as rules of origin and ATA Carnet queries. For any overseas related queries, she works with a network of partners to assist with international and customs regulations.

Gary Wilcox is the Commercial Director for Industrial Minerals at LKAB Minerals Ltd - a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swedish-based, Global mining company; LKAB. With over 30 years of Minerals experience, 20 of which have been spent in Commercial roles, he is responsible for sales into markets as diverse as Agriculture, Construction, Foundry, Tunnelling, Drilling, Coatings, Glass, Water Treatment, Polymers and Plastics. LKAB Minerals operates ten production facilities across the UK, including their plant at Runcorn, in the North West

Hello 👋🏻

I’m Louis, a Sales Exec at Polestar Wilmslow. I have a passion for travel, food and if you couldn’t tell… Cars! I have worked with Polestar for the past year and have learnt a lot about the brand and its importance in representation alongside its sister brand Volvo. We provide high performance, comfortable vehicles with sustainability at the forefront of our consideration. I am looking forward to speaking at the Swedish Business Footprint North West about our impact in the community and our next steps as a brand.

Elin Beijar is Finance Director at Anticimex UK, bringing extensive international experience from across the Anticimex Group. She has previously served as Finance Director for Anticimex Malaysia and as Group Financial Controller at the Group’s head office in Stockholm.

During her time with the Group, Elin has built a broad experience of how different national cultures operate within and integrate into the Anticimex model, both through her international roles and extensive on-site collaboration with multiple countries. She has also been closely involved in multiple acquisitions and onboardings.

In her current role, she works alongside the local leadership team to combine Anticimex global operating model and innovation capabilities with strong local expertise in the UK. Prior to joining Anticimex, Elin worked at PwC and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Stockholm School of Economics.

Dan is a Chartered Engineer and leads Sweco’s Transportation Design team in Manchester. He has 18 years’ experience in the engineering and consultancy world and is passionate about delivering sustainable schemes which improve peoples day to day lives