The life science sector encompassing pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies, diagnostics and related services is evolving rapidly. Success in this industry no longer rests solely on scientific discovery. Increasingly it depends on the right talent, expanding skill sets and fit for purpose infrastructure. The United Kingdom has a strong base, but global comparisons show important gaps and future risks.
Growing scale and evolving talent demand
The United Kingdom’s life sciences workforce is highly educated and expanding. A report by Futures Group, commissioned by the BioIndustry Association (BIA), estimates that up to 70,000 new jobs will be created by 2035 in the United Kingdom, plus an additional 75,000 to cover replacement requirements. This brings total demand to around 145,000 skilled workers in the decade ahead. (lifesciencesweek.london)
The United Kingdom government, in its Life Sciences Sector Plan of July 2025, recognised that “skills and talent … will ensure that the life sciences sector can attract, train and retain a diverse and highly skilled workforce.” (gov.uk)
What has changed is the nature of the skills required. Historically, the core workforce of biologists, chemists, clinicians and sales or marketing professionals dominated. Today, increasingly demanded roles include data scientists, bioinformaticians, engineers, regulatory affairs specialists and those with commercialisation and scale up capability. A recent United Kingdom insight bulletin noted: “many specialist roles are experiencing a net outflow of professionals … clinical roles show the most severe talent drain with 17 exports versus 1 import.” (acaciumgroup.com)
Moreover, vacancy data indicates real growth. In 2024, United Kingdom sector vacancies increased 5.2 per cent, totalling 7,521 openings, with London accounting for nearly 28 per cent of scientific roles and Yorkshire and the Humber seeing a 32.9 per cent rise. (cambridgenetwork.co.uk)
Skills gaps and pipeline pressures
Despite the positive growth signals, the United Kingdom is facing major skills shortage risks. Key areas of shortage include:
- Digital, data, computational literacy and bioinformatics
- Advanced manufacturing and cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities
- Regulatory science, translation and commercialisation skills required to move innovations to market
- Ability to attract and retain global talent
From a global mobility perspective the United Kingdom is under pressure. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) argues that the United Kingdom must sharpen its global appeal and make its visa systems more competitive. (abpi.org.uk) Indeed, one insight report found that between 2023 and 2024 the United Kingdom exported more than six life sciences professionals for every one it imported, a stark indicator of talent outflow.
Internationally, the United Kingdom is also losing ground in investment attractiveness. A report found that the United Kingdom’s share of global pharmaceutical exports dropped from 7.3 per cent in 2013 to 3.8 per cent in 2023, and clinical trial initiations have been declining by around 8 per cent a year since 2017 or 2018. (sciopolis.co.uk)
Infrastructure: Research, manufacturing and ecosystem capacity
Infrastructure in life sciences means more than laboratories. It includes research and development platforms, manufacturing capacity, clinical trial networks, data systems, regulatory frameworks and industry academia linkages.
Research and innovation infrastructure
The United Kingdom boasts world class research institutions and clusters. The Business Gov UK “Invest in Great – Life Sciences” page notes that the country is home to four of the world’s top ten universities and supports a major genomics initiative with over £650 million committed to the Genomics England programme across five years. (business.gov.uk)
Under the Life Sciences Sector Plan, the United Kingdom government committed to backing manufacturing with up to £520 million through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to attract globally mobile manufacturing investment.invest-in-great/life-sciences/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Manufacturing and scale up infrastructure
Manufacturing is critical to closing the loop from discovery to delivery. The United Kingdom has a substantial life sciences manufacturing footprint, but one report notes that inward investment in this area has fallen and that obstacles remain in the investment environment. (abpi.org.uk)
Ecosystem bottlenecks and global comparisons
While the United Kingdom boasts strong clusters such as Oxford Cambridge, the M4 corridor, the North West and Scotland, there are structural bottlenecks. The Life Sciences Sector Plan recognises that planning reforms are required to unlock new research, manufacturing and clinical facilities. (gov.uk) Internationally, some peer nations have been more aggressive. For example, Germany and Switzerland are increasingly attractive destinations for life sciences talent coming from the United Kingdom.
Where talent, skills and infrastructure converge: Opportunities and risks
Opportunities:
- The United Kingdom starts from a strong foundation. It has world class universities, a sizeable life sciences workforce, established clusters and a national health system that is deeply engaged in research and translation.
- Demand for emerging skills in data science, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, digital health and advanced therapies offers the United Kingdom a chance to move ahead of competitors.
- The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets clear targets to make the United Kingdom a global leader in regulatory and clinical research infrastructure by 2035.
- Regional diversification such as growth in Yorkshire, the North West and Scotland can spread talent and infrastructure more evenly.
Risks:
- Skills shortages and talent outflow threaten growth. The United Kingdom cannot rely solely on domestic training to fill all gaps. Attracting global talent is essential.
- Infrastructure bottlenecks, including lack of laboratory space, manufacturing capacity and slow clinical trial processes, could hinder innovation and competitiveness.
- Global competition is intense. Countries such as the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and Ireland are aggressively building life sciences talent, infrastructure and investment capacity. The United Kingdom’s decline in clinical trials and export share suggests mounting pressure.
- Hiring and immigration policies are increasingly central to attracting talent. For example, the United Kingdom’s visa regime has been cited as less competitive than those of peer nations.
What is being done and what more is required
Actions under way:
Training and upskilling initiatives are aligning post 16 education and lifelong learning with life sciences needs, and efforts are being made to diversify the talent pipeline.
- The ABPI’s “Attracting Global Talent” report outlines how visa reform, international mobility and qualification recognition require continued attention.
- Infrastructure funding is increasing through programmes such as the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund and other major capital investments.
- Cluster and regional development are being promoted to ensure innovation and manufacturing capacity are not overly concentrated in the South East.
Further steps required:
- The talent pipeline must become more demand driven, aligning training with future needs in data science, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and regulatory expertise.
- Employers should broaden access by using apprenticeships, micro credentialing and flexible hiring pathways beyond formal degrees.
- Manufacturing and scale up capacity must expand to ensure sufficient facilities, clean rooms and clinical trial infrastructure comparable to leading global competitors.
- Visa and mobility reforms should reduce cost barriers, streamline processes and improve attractiveness for international talent.
- Investment appraisal frameworks must recognise the broader economic and societal value of manufacturing and research infrastructure.
- Regional infrastructure should be developed to ensure all parts of the United Kingdom have equitable access to talent, investment and connectivity.
- Continuous global benchmarking against leaders such as the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and Ireland is needed to identify gaps and strengthen competitiveness.
Summary
The United Kingdom’s life sciences sector rests on a strong foundation of highly educated talent, globally recognised research institutions, established clusters and an integrated health research ecosystem. Yet the shape of the sector is shifting quickly. Demand for digital and data proficiency, manufacturing scale up, and regulatory and commercial expertise is rising. Infrastructure from laboratories and manufacturing sites to data systems and clinical networks must expand and modernise. Globally, the United Kingdom faces strong competition and signs of declining investment attractiveness and talent retention.
If the country is to realise its ambition of becoming a global life sciences powerhouse by 2030 and beyond, the alignment of talent, skills and infrastructure, as well as the ability to attract and retain global talent, will be essential. Continued investment, reform, regional balance and responsiveness to international competition will determine success.
