BIA Gala Dinner | 24 January 2019

As we launch into 2019 against a backdrop of political uncertainty, it is reassuring to know that there are some things you can rely on. One of those is our annual Gala Dinner, which for many years has been a key event in the life sciences sector calendar, where around seven hundred senior executives in the biotechnology sector come together to meet new people and catch up with old friends.

On Thursday 24 January at The Brewery in London, we will welcome many of our members, friends, and supporters to enjoy good company, great food and champagne, and music for those who don’t mind a dance at the end of an evening. Before dinner, we will hear some words from Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, as well as from our CEO, Steve Bates, and our Chair, Jane Osbourn, and we will announce and present our annual Lifetime Achievement Award. At the BIA, we like to facilitate networking as much as we can, so be sure to join us for the pre-dinner drinks reception at 7pm. The fun continues after dinner, with hardy guests welcome to stay and network (or dance!) until 1am.

BIA Gala Dinner 2017

During the evening, you will also be introduced to our recently announced Charity of the Year 2019, Action Medical Research. We will hear from one of their ambassadors, Simon Harriss, who will tell us about his daughter Lily, and the importance of research for parents and children affected by rare disease.  We will learn about some of the amazing work that the charity does, and the many children that benefit from the research that they fund. Throughout the night, to raise money for the charity, we will be running a silent auction. Previous years have seen guests delighted to leave at the end of the night with everything from exclusive pieces of art to signed memorabilia tucked under their arm, and we have been offered some amazing auction items this time around too. Remember to bring a credit card!

In that same week, we will be releasing our annual finance report, looking back at the last 12 months of activities and fundraising within the sector and, without giving anything away before the publication date, it’s clear our sector is in a very healthy state. There is a real confidence in the future of biotech, which is only right, and there is certainly much to be proud of. So, in addition to the networking, and supporting the charity, the Gala Dinner event is also a wonderful opportunity to gather together to celebrate the great work that everyone is doing.

If you haven’t yet booked a table or a ticket, please visit our gala dinner site: www.biagaladinner.org

We look forward to seeing you there!