Prof Liam Grover is Professor of Biomaterials Science and Head of the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. His research focuses on the interactions between materials and biological environments to design materials with enhanced therapeutic function. He has filed over 30 patents, taken five products from concept to first-in-human trial, and published over 250 papers cited more than 11,000 times. He has raised over £50m of research funding and recently established an Innovation Accelerator in Medical Technology backed by £20m of British government investment. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Attending
Insights Stage
What Will It Take to Scale Health Innovation in the West Midlands?
The West Midlands is emerging as one of the UK's most formidable health technology clusters — and this session shows why. From AI-driven care models and biomaterials research to investor-ready startups and national innovation programmes, the region is producing technologies that matter at scale. Hear from the entrepreneurs, academics and ecosystem builders driving it forward: Richard Howells OBE (The Tribe Project / Bronze Software Labs), Marco Morgado (Vicente Advisory), Judith Stuart (Health Innovation West Midlands) and Professor Liam Grover (University of Birmingham). Whether you are a supplier, investor, clinician or commissioner, this session maps the opportunity and lays out what it genuinely takes to innovate, scale and succeed in the Midlands.
Building on the presentations from Session 1, this panel opens the floor to a broader conversation about what scaling health technology in the West Midlands really requires. Chaired by Dr Ewa Truchanowicz (CEO, Bidshaper), all four Session 1 speakers are joined by Kathryn Wagstaff of West Midlands Growth Company for a frank discussion on funding, infrastructure, clinical adoption and the commercial realities facing innovators in the region. No presentations — just a direct conversation about where the cluster is strong, where the gaps are, and what needs to change.
