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Life Sciences Hub Wales -- new Chief Operating Officer and Board announced(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Welsh Assembly - Dr Ian Barwick has been appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Life Sciences Hub Wales Ltd and is set to play a key role in making Wales the place for life sciences. Dr Barwick, who has experience of working in Life Sciences across the academic, public and commercial sectors, will be the "face" of Life Sciences in Wales. He joins the Hub from University College Dublin where he had wide ranging responsibility to secure new business and research in the biomedical and bio-molecular field. Economy Minister Edwina Hart welcomed his appointment today when she announced the new Life Sciences Hub Wales Board. The following have been appointed: Executive Chair: Professor Chris McGuigan, -- Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Cardiff University Board Members: Professor Marc Clement -- Executive Chairman Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Professor Sir Chris Evans, - Chair, Excalibur Fund Managers and Arthurian Life Sciences Dr Colin Greengrass -- Management Board Life Sciences Research Network, ex Pfizer Alliances Dr Grahame Guilford -- Life Sciences Consultant, ex Amersham International Ciaran McMahon -- Regional Finance Director and Company Secretary Biomet UK Ltd and Biomet UK (Healthcare) Ltd Dr Penny Owen -- Product Planning Manager, GE Healthcare Dr Martino Picardo -- CEO of the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst The Minister said: I should like to welcome Dr Ian Barwick as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Life Sciences Hub Wales. He has experience of working in Life Sciences across the academic, public and commercial sectors and will play a key role in establishing a thriving ecosystem for the sector in Wales. I am also delighted that so many distinguished and acknowledged experts in their individual fields have agreed to serve on the Board. They bring considerable experience and expertise and their support will be invaluable. We want to ensure Wales has one of the best environments in the world for Life Sciences innovation and the Hub is central to our long-term strategy to grow the sector to deliver at least 1 billion of extra value by 2022." Prof Chris McGuigan Chair of the Hub, said: With the 100m Life Sciences Fund, the opening in July of the Life Sciences Hub Wales, and the Life Science Research Network there has never been a better time to do Life Sciences Research in Wales. The commitment of the Welsh Government and Ministers has been tremendous, and I am hugely heartened by the strength and depth of the Executive and Board that we have been able to assemble" Dr Barwick said: I am delighted to be joining the Life Sciences Hub Wales company as Chief Operating Officer at such an exciting time for the sector in Wales. With the vision, leadership and support now available for life sciences in Wales, the Life Sciences Hub being a core element, I am confident that we can develop a vibrant and prosperous life sciences eco system. It will link researchers, clinicians and companies across Wales, as well as attracting companies to relocate here, and make Wales the place for life sciences." Following an early career in academia, Dr Barwick worked for a contract research organisation in Scotland before establishing his own consultancy company supporting formulation software for international clients. He later joined Finance Wales to manage the spin out clusters in North West Wales and worked as Technical Director in the Research & Innovation Office of Bangor University where he was involved in the management and commercialisation of the University's intellectual property. . (c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |