North West science conference attracts big industry backers

The Business of Science Conference in Manchester has attracted a number of new national and international backers for its second year.

Cheshire-based science and innovation campus Sci-Tech Daresbury, along with the government’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and global consumer products company PZ Cussons are among the new names backing the event.

Returning sponsors for 2017 include chemicals giant BASF, professional services firm Grant Thornton, drug developer Redx Pharma and the University of Bolton.

Solicitors Pannone Corporate and London-headquartered professional services firm Arup have also signed up to support the conference, which will take place at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry in May.

Steve Bennett, MD of Science North Limited, which runs the event, said: “We’re delighted to build on the strength of the first conference and to receive such tremendous backing from industry yet again.

“The Business of Science Conference will see leading experts take to the stage to engage and inspire industry, showing the important link between scientific discovery and commercialisation.”

The Skills and Growth Company, which supports skills development and business growth across the region, has also backed the conference, where speakers will include city council leader Sir Richard Leese and Richard Carter, BASF’s managing director for the UK and Ireland.