BIA Webinar: Next Generation Talent for SMEs

Kate Barclay

Skills Strategy Consultant, BIA

What does your role at BIA involve?
As an experienced Biochemical Engineer, Kate leads skills and talent programme development across STEM industries using over 30 years of experience within large pharma and small company networks. Working with BIA, she represents the sector ensuring access to the incredible talent and addressing skills gaps to start, grow and scale innovative life sciences and biotech organisations.

Previous experience & achievements
In addition to her role at BIA, Kate works as an independent consultant supporting organisations to develop their skills and talent strategies. She has oversight for quality governance of technical and professional education as IfATE Non-Executive Director and is a Board member of North Hertfordshire College. Kate holds MBA from Open University and a PhD in Bio-Chemical Engineering from UCL. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng FIChemE), she held previous senior leadership roles across diverse pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D portfolios including Solid Dose, Parenteral & Inhaled Devices.

If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Rosalind Franklin, as she made contributions to the understanding of the fine molecular structures of DNA and RNA. She studied science at a time when few women attended university and led pioneering work on multiple viruses. Kate would love to know what she thinks about what we know now!

Ian Cooper

National Head of Business Development, Speakers for Schools

Ian has worked for Speakers for Schools for over 3 years. In his current role as National Head of Business Development, he works with large corporate organisations and membership bodies, allowing them to offer fantastic opportunities to young people in state funded schools and colleges across the UK. Ian has an extensive background in further education management and quality assurance. Throughout his career he has been passionate about supporting young people who really need it most.

John Lavarino

Senior Director of People, AviadoBio

John Lavarino is Senior Director of People at AviadoBio.  John brings a wealth of experience in the lifescience industry and is driven by a deep-seated passion for supporting scientists in their quest to develop solutions for patients living with rare diseases.  John's dedication to the biotech industry is fuelled by his unique perspective as an HR professional, a person who lives with Multiple Sclerosis and also by having a family member affected by three rare diseases.

Prior to joining AviadoBio, John worked at Orchard Therapeutics where he was responsible for the early Human Resources team structure, expansion in the UK and US and later supported the company’s expansion in Europe. John had the privilege of being part of the early team that took Orchard through IPO and approval for Limbeldy in Europe. Before Orchard John worked for BioMarin Pharmaceuticals spanning various HR focused roles.

Ajay Sharman

National Lead, STEM Learning

Dr Ajay Sharman is the National Lead for STEM Learning Ltd, a UK-wide organization that works with thousands of employers and schools to promote all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to young people, so that they are more likely to choose STEM careers in the future, while ensuring industry that employ STEM-educated role models (STEM Ambassadors), are meaningfully linked to schools and non-school groups, to inspire a new generation.  

Through STEM Learning’s highly valued Science and Computing subject knowledge enhancement CPD, supporting teachers and technicians, and the STEM Ambassador programme, the network supports an increasing awareness of the excitement and opportunities a career in STEM can bring to all young people. Dr Sharman has represented STEM Learning on the SELEP Skills Advisory Panel, the Digital Skills Partnership and the London Thames Maths Hub Board, working strategically with a number of organizations across the South East, London and nationally. Dr Sharman has also established a strategic STEM Advisory Group to drive partnership and collaboration.

Previously, Dr Sharman was Technical Director of Viridian, a spin out company of the University of Kent, commercializing solutions for the treatment of contaminated air, land and water, supporting the development of biotechnology solutions to clean up solvent contaminated air and processes to remediate contaminated land containing heavy metals. Dr Sharman then joined the FMCG, Reckitt Benckiser, as Global Technology Manager, in Household Cleaning and Healthcare leading a team within the New Technology Group, specializing in Biologics supporting the drive for innovation. This was followed by a Commercial Technology role at University of Oxford, aiding academic researchers develop and commercialize opportunities, catalyzing key industry relationships at the Begbroke Science Park, which eventually led to a secondment with the Regional Development Agency, SEEDA, to drive forward the South East’s STEM skills agenda, before moving to STEMNET (formerly SETNET) and then STEM Learning Ltd. 

Dr Sharman remains Chair of Trustees at Dartford Science and Technology School, a Trustee at Alethia Academies Trust, a Governor at The Whitstable School and a Member at the Turner Schools Trust. Dr Sharman is also Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Founders in the City of London. A passionate golfer, squash player and footballer, he is often seen cheering on his beloved Chelsea.

Stephen Stewart

Head of Skills, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

Steve joined CGTC in May 2021 to head up the Skills function including the ATAC apprenticeship programme and the ATSTN online training platform. These skills programmes have been recognised in the Princess Royal Trust Awards for excellence in training.

Steve previously worked at GSK where he spent 10 years in their HR and Talent teams establishing several global programmes and leading HR at a manufacturing Site. He has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources.

Steve recently completed his Level 7 Senior Leader MBA Apprenticeship with MMU, where his executive project focused on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in talent programmes. Steve is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Ivan Wall

Co-Director, RESILIENCE

Ivan is a multi-disciplinary scientist and entrepreneur, who works at the interface of life science and engineering. He obtained his PhD in cell and molecular biology from Cardiff University in 2007 and subsequently undertook postdoctoral work at UCL in regenerative medicine and developmental neurobiology. He was an academic at UCL Dept. Biochemical Engineering from 2009-2017 where his research team focussed on stem cell bioprocessing, cell line engineering and tissue engineering. It was there his interest in skills and training innovation stemmed from, when he designed and led a 3 module programme in regenerative medicines manufacturing. 

In 2018 Ivan moved to Aston University as Professor of Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing and whilst there he set up a Level 7 MRes Research Scientist apprenticeship. He also completed his MBA (level 7 senior leaders apprenticeship). During this time he co-founded his first start-up, FourPlus Immersive, who create software including VR/AR for training and technology transfer. He also established one of three National Training Centres under the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult-coordinated Advanced Therapies Skills and Training Network (ATSTN) programme.

In 2021 Ivan co-founded his second start-up, Quest Meat, and in 2022, moved to University of Birmingham as Professor of Regenerative Medicine, in a part-time role that has enabled him to spend time building FourPlus and Quest Meat. His major focus in his academic role is RESILIENCE. As Co-Director of RESILIENCE, he brings together leading experts in industry skills training and led the adoption of creative new approaches to meet rapidly evolving sector skills needs.