While the government’s aspiration to establish the UK as a Scientific Superpower has garnered a lot of media attention, what does this really mean outside of being a catchy PR slogan? In short, it means a long-term financial commitment to attract international talent and investment. To grow the industry, the UK needs to first build up the key pillars of its infrastructure and skill set. The physical, real estate, and various scientific infrastructure that sits alongside it, combined with a skilled workforce to drive the industry forward is what will be the ultimate catalyst in transforming this “superpower” ambition from an aspirational vision into a reality.

Establishing a thriving mass of scientific clusters in the UK is the vital first move of this plan. Whether empowering smaller, individual companies on their journey of growth or elevating the entire UK Life Sciences sector, space is imperative. Without room for expansion the industry cannot keep growing at the pace it needs to. There is a huge surge in demand for specialist real estate to accommodate the growing number of companies transitioning out of the incubator stage and looking to scale up. But simultaneously we must keep finding ways to attract more mature companies to the UK.

Pivotal new developments in the heart of London play a critical role in addressing this demand, providing unique opportunities for companies to scale up within a city. This means they can offer unparalleled levels of connectivity. Access to the likes of City Airport and the Elizabeth Line establishes vital connections to talent, universities, and collaborative partners—all of which are essential to propelling the UK towards a seat at the “superpower” table.

When thinking about growing this life sciences cluster, ease of access needs to be at front of mind. Growing the Life Sciences sector means scaling up development in the UK’s hub. The importance of improved connectivity cannot be underestimated in attracting talent and investment. No matter the size of the company—from big pharma down to start up, the life blood of the industry is in having access to the best talent, academic research, VC funds and like-minded companies with whom they can collaborate. Without talent, money and space, innovation will simply grind to a halt.

When it comes to attracting new talent, companies must be able to offer the best possible location, taking an increasingly urban approach. Typically, graduates making up a third of the industry’s workforce are aged 25 – 35. Many in that age bracket don’t drive and come from universities in dynamic settings; they don’t want to work in a business park in the middle of nowhere. So, the innovative companies that are wanting to grow, and grow quickly need to be in accessible, engaging locations to attract this engine room of their business.

From incubator to full scale Pharma, the needs of a company change constantly throughout its life cycle. Being in the right place at the right time and having space and flexibility are essential for growing a company. Whether they’re looking for new funding or wanting to expand following a capital injection, the space a company occupies is a key factor in its success. If the UK is to compete in the big leagues it needs scale, not just in out-of-town bespoke locations but where the action is happening. There is currently a lack of purpose-built life science buildings in these key locations and companies are having to compete with the office market to find space. More investment needs to be put behind building up a life sciences cluster in the UK to retain talent and attract international investment. Projects like Canary Wharf are a great example of this, giving the UK that ability to scale up.

Once the location is taken care of, we need to think about design. This means both an infrastructure that meets the needs of rapidly growing companies and using state-of-the-art design to make it an attractive place to work. It is also possible to inspire innovation by designing spaces that stimulate connections and encourage knowledge-sharing within a building. The clinical white setting typically associated with science is a thing of the past. We should be designing buildings that talented individuals want to work in and encouraging collaboration through communal spaces. If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that collaboration lies at the heart of progress, and the imperative of sharing data and ideas remains crucial in driving discoveries forward.

It is clear that the path to the UK’s ‘superpower’ status lies in its infrastructure and talent. To transform this ambition into a tangible reality the UK government needs to make a commitment to investing in these two areas. A conducive environment for growth is essential. By strategically developing scientific clusters and purpose-built life science buildings in key locations, the UK can offer the necessary space for companies to grow and thrive.