Dr John Brown, CBE to retire as Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’s Chairman

John Brown will retire at the end of 2021 after nine years in the role

London, 22^nd September 2021 - Dr John Brown, CBE, FRSE, Chairman of Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), will retire from the role at the end of 2021 after completing three successive terms. The Nomination Committee will establish a process, led by Hilary Newiss, to identify and appoint his successor in due course.

Dr Brown became Chairman in 2012 when the CGT Catapult was first established by Innovate UK. Working closely alongside the senior executive leadership of the CGT Catapult, Dr Brown led the board which steered the CGT Catapult towards impactful collaborations, addressing the challenges facing UK cell and gene therapy industry. The success of the CGT Catapult is evident in the growing number of start-of-the-art facilities including London, Stevenage, Braintree, and Edinburgh alongside its world-leading cell and gene therapy experts.

Reflecting on the last nine years, Dr Brown said:

“It has always been a privilege to work with a great team of people here at the CGT Catapult. With rapid growth in this sector, there is no doubt that CGT Catapult will continue to be integral to the cell and gene therapy industry in the UK and continue to play a leading role in the globally collaborative innovation of advanced therapies.” 

Richard Hebdon, Director - Health and Life Sciences, Innovate UK said:

“Under Dr Brown’s chairmanship the scale and scope of the work of the CGT Catapult has grown to reflect the vital role it plays in the UK life science ecosystem, including accelerating the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Building on this progress, his successor will advance the work of the Catapult which Innovate UK is proud to support.”

About the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult was established as an independent centre of excellence to advance the growth of the UK cell and gene therapy industry, by bridging the gap between scientific research and full-scale commercialisation. With more than 350 employees focusing on cell and gene therapy technologies, it works with partners in academia and industry to ensure these life-changing therapies can be developed for use in health services throughout the world. It offers leading-edge capability, technology and innovation to enable companies to take products into clinical trials and provide clinical, process development, manufacturing, regulatory, health economics and market access expertise. Its aim is to make the UK the most compelling and logical choice for UK and international partners to develop and commercialise these advanced therapies. The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult works with Innovate UK. For more information, please visit ct.catapult.org.uk or visit http://www.gov.uk/innovate-uk.

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base. They connect businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn these ideas into commercially successful products and services, and business growth.