1284 Communications has been confirmed as media partner for Charnwood Campus’s next life science event.

The event, organised by Charnwood Campus Life Sciences Network in partnership with Medilink Midlands, takes place as part of Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026.

The full-day conference, on Tuesday 10 March, brings together businesses, investors, universities and NHS partners to look at how the UK can grow its life sciences industry, strengthen supply chains, and boost productivity. 

Entitled Building Globally Competitive Life Sciences Cluster Part 2: Finance & Investment, it will take place at Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation & Technology Park, in Loughborough.

Delegates will hear from senior figures at organisations including Quotient Sciences, Lab Makers, MHRA, Barclays, Medilink Midlands, Health Innovation Network East Midlands, British Business Bank, and others across finance, regulation and supply chain.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Andrew Lewis, CSO, Quotient Sciences
• Christian Kumar, CEO and Founder, Lab Makers
• Louise Knowles, Deputy Director Innovation Accelerator, MHRA 
• Ben Reasbeck, Head Life Sciences, Barclays 
• David Hawkins, Medical Device Regulatory, Quality and Compliance Consultant Sotas
• Nat Hutley, Founder and CEO, Koodos Private Markets Venture Capital & Private Equity 
• Jan Godsell, Dean at Loughborough Business School, Prof of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy
• Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager,  British Business Bank
• Melanie Davidson, CEO of Medilink Midlands 
• Andrew Mumford, CEO of Initiate Consultancy 
• Helen Compton, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, NIHR 
• Kieran Borrett, Director, Plug and Play 
• Nicole McGlennon, Managing Director at Health Innovation Network East Midlands
• Sam Stephens, Director, TBAT

Life sciences media partner

1284 Communications will have a stand at the event and identify opportunities around pre and post‑event content that highlights key messages, case studies, and opportunities emerging from the day.​

1284’s Managing Director George Oliver will be at the event to talk to delegates about its services around R&D marketing communications.

George said: “Charnwood Campus and Medilink Midlands are doing excellent work to turn East Midlands life sciences assets into high‑growth businesses, new jobs, and regional growth. 

“We’re very pleased to become media partner for their LIF event - our role is to identify insights from the day and draw the line between success stories and the wider audience.

“Ultimately, we all want to see more innovators, investors, and R&D collaboration in our region.”

The LIF event is aimed at entrepreneurs looking for investment, business leaders who want to grow and scale, academics and clinicians thinking about spinning out an idea, and SMEs interested in finding partners and collaborations. You can book your place here

Gosia Khrais, commercial and marketing director of Charnwood Campus, said:  “Partnering with 1284 allows us to look at potential new methods of showing the life sciences strength which already exists here at Charnwood Campus and in the East Midlands. 

“1284 has experience in both the R&D system and the East Midlands regional ecosystem, and will help us turn a strong conference programme into clear messages that move us towards our objective of shaping a globally competitive life sciences cluster in this region.”

The Life Sciences event is one of 10 sessions at Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026. Led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub and the Innovative Leicestershire partnership, it is a week-long series of events.

By attending, SMEs can access expert guidance on funding and business growth, discover tools and technologies to boost productivity and connect with universities, innovation partners, and fellow business leaders.

Times, venues and details of all LIF26 events - including registration portals - are available here.