Medicine, Health and Life Sciences sector

The Medicine, Health and Life Sciences sector includes a wide range of disciplines aimed at improving human health and advancing clinical practices. It covers areas such as clinical medicine, public health, allied health professions, psychology, neuroscience, biological sciences, and agricultural, food and veterinary sciences.

In terms of Life Sciences, Wales is a leader employing over 13,000 people across 280+ companies, with a £2.8 billion turnover. With strengths in Medtech, Diagnostics, Wound Healing, Regenerative Medicine, and Cell Therapy, the sector benefits from world-class academic expertise and a dedicated Life Sciences Hub, exporting 75% of its output globally.

The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre (WWIC) is the first national wound healing centre world-wide and is the flagship facility for clinical innovation in Wales.

The Food and Drink aspect of this sector in Wales is vibrant and strong, with a robust supply chain, skilled workforce, and innovation centres like the Advanced Manufacturing Centre Wales and Aber Innovation. Home to global brands like Kellogg’s, Unilever, and AB InBev, Wales offers cost-competitive property and industrial land, making it an ideal location for growth.

Collaboration between industry, academia and the Welsh Government work together to make things happen. We have the right business support and the agility to make decisions quickly. 

Wales is home to world-leading research facilities and expertise that drive innovation across health, life sciences, biotechnology, agri-tech and beyond. The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre (WWIC) – the first national wound healing centre of its kind globally – stands as a flagship facility for clinical innovation.

Universities across the nation underpin this strength: Bangor and Cardiff host internationally recognised centres in human sciences, neuroscience, cancer research and immunology, while Aberystwyth and Swansea provide cutting-edge capabilities in agri-tech, biotechnology and health innovation. Cardiff Metropolitan, the University of South Wales and UWTSD also play a vital role, particularly in sport, wellbeing and applied health sciences.

Together, and in collaboration with the Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW), these institutions form a connected ecosystem that translates research excellence into real-world impact.

• Mr Ro (Rohit) Kulkarni MBBS FRCS, Senior Consultant and surgeon of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
• Dr Matthew Turner, FRCA, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Gwent and Grange University Hospitals

• Dr Rhian Hayward MBE, Chief Executive Officer, Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus, Aberystwyth University

• Professor Paul Mullins, Professor of Neuroimaging, School of Human and and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University 
• Dr Beverley Pickard-Jones, Lecturer in the School of Psychology & Sport Science, Bangor University

• Dr Nic Hooper, Lecturer of Psychology, School of Psychology, Cardiff University 
• Dr Petros Mylonas BDS MMedEd PhD SFHEA, Clinical Lecturer in Restorative & Primary Care Dentistry at Cardiff University and a member of British Endodontic Society, Cardiff University 
• Dr Lee Parry, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer at School of Biosciences, Cardiff University Joint Lead Personalised Prevention at Wales Cancer Research Centre
• Dr Liba Sheeran, Reader, Director of Innovation and Impact, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University
• Dr Katie Webb, Professor of Medical Education and an IHI Improvement Advisor at the School of Medicine Cardiff University
• Dr Emma Yhnell, Reader in Neuroscience and Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Cardiff University 

• Dr Shubha Sreenivas, Lecturer - Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, Wrexham University
• Professor Mandy Robbins, Associate Dean (Research), Life Sciences, Wrexham University

• Mr Arwyn Watkins OBE, Managing Director, Cambrian Training Company and President, Culinary Association of Wales

• Professor Martin Steggall, Pro Vice Chancellor Research, University of South Wales  
• Dr Biao Zeng, Lecturer - Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales  
• Dr Catherine Purcell, Reader, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University

If you are a trade or specialist association or professional society. If you work for a not-for-profit or charitable concern.  If you lead a commercial business or specific industry group. Or if you work in an academic setting alongside international colleagues, we would love to hear from you.

You can email, telephone us or complete our online enquiry form on our ambassador Wales homepage. 

Email: ambassadors@meetinwales.co.uk

Telephone: +44 02921 661018