Last week I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC) during Life Sciences Week – a proud moment for our city and region.

From the start, there was a real buzz in the room. The opening remarks from Chris Oglesby (Bruntwood SciTech) and Professor Neil Hanley (University of Birmingham) captured the shared ambition to make Birmingham a leader in health innovation. The following panel discussion brought together voices from research, business, and government – all focused on how we can turn great ideas into real-world impact.

Touring the new facilities, I was struck by the scale of the investment – state-of-the-art labs and offices designed to bring scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs together under one roof. Speaking with local innovators, it was clear how much potential there is for collaboration, job creation, and better health outcomes for people across the region.

This project is about more than a building; it’s about building an ecosystem. I left feeling inspired by what’s ahead — and determined to ensure that the benefits of BHIC are felt here in Selly Oak, across Birmingham, and throughout the West Midlands.