Finance skills: Expanding overseas for biotech growth
Join us for the second webinar in a series of skills sessions delivered in coordination with our Finance and Tax Advisory Committee (FTAC). These webinars explore key milestones in a company’s growth journey, drawing on insights and reflections from experts with firsthand experience.
This session will focus on expanding overseas - a significant milestone for biotech companies as they scale internationally. A panel of advisors and company leaders will share their experiences and perspectives on navigating international growth successfully.
Topics for discussion include:
- Appointing overseas professionals to company boards
- Setting up and structuring international subsidiaries
- Employing staff overseas and managing cross-border tax considerations
- Working with contract research organisations (CROs) and international partners
Whether you’re preparing for your first international expansion or refining your global strategy, this session will offer practical guidance from those who have scaled companies internationally and the experts who support them.
Speakers
Phil Boyd
Dr Phil Boyd has held senior finance roles in various private and public life science companies for 25+ years. He was CFO of Syntaxin Ltd from 2007 through to the acquisition by Ipsen in July 2013, CFO of Tiziana Lifesciences plc (AIM: TILS) from its IPO in 2014 to 2015, CFO of Oxford BioDynamics plc (AIM: OBD) ahead of its AIM listing in 2016, and part-time CFO of several early stage lifescience companies between 2014 and 2024. Prior to Syntaxin he was UK Finance Director of Evotec AG (2001-2007) and Finance Director of Cambridge Discovery Chemistry from 1999 until its acquisition by Millennium Pharmaceuticals in 2001. He currently serves as CFO with Enterprise Therapeutics. He has a BSc in Biotechnology and a PhD in Genetics from University of Leeds, and is a qualified management accountant (ACMA).
Lewis Miles
What does your role at BIA involve?
Lewis leads the BIA’s policy work on finance and tax, which involves campaigning to increase investment in the UK’s life science industry. He engages with members across the sector to understand their policy needs. Lewis also provides the secretariat for the BIA’s Finance and Tax Advisory Committee (FTAC).
Previous experience & achievements
Previously, Lewis has held a number of roles related to policy within the STEM sector. These have included work at the Royal Society of Chemistry, where he led on policy areas including research culture, diversity and inclusion, and funding; as well as supporting the passage of the Environment Act 2021 through Parliament at DEFRA. In addition, he has worked as a Project Officer at the Royal Society, managing projects to make the landscape of STEM in the UK more inclusive and diverse. Lewis has a MSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Birmingham, where he majored in Biology and Physics.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
So many to choose from, but I think it would have to be Jane Goodall. With a lifetime’s experience working with chimpanzees, I doubt I’d ever run out of things to ask, with the added bonus of not having to worry too much about table manners – I’m sure she’s seen worse. Plus, I hear she loves a glass of whiskey every night.
Don't miss our exciting in-person Finance and Tax Community Connects event on 19 March which will bring together industry leaders and finance and tax experts to explore the challenge of scale-up in the UK's life sciences ecosystem and consider how BIA can best support members.
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