Nigel Hilton
Vice President of Manufacturing and Site Head, Liverpool, Seqirus
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industry globally. We need to focus on nurturing the next STEM generation to ensure they are the best innovators to solve the healthcare challenges of the future.
The sustained growth of the UK depends on educating the next generation in STEM. It teaches critical thinking and instils a passion for much-needed innovation.
Taking responsibility for the future of STEM
Over the last 10 years, core biopharma employment in the UK has dropped 5%, contributing to an estimated £8.1 billion decrease in turnover. STEM subjects foster the next generation of scientists, researchers and inventors, upskilling the nation to address some of the most significant challenges in healthcare.
We are proud to be working with stakeholders across the city region to establish Liverpool as a leading biotechnology hub.
At Seqirus, innovation remains at the core of everything we do, enabling us to pioneer technologies that protect millions of people against influenza every year.
Local community is key to success
Liverpool is home to the Seqirus manufacturing site, the largest and only end-to-end vaccine manufacturing facility in the UK and one of the biggest biotech sites in Europe. The extensive skills and knowledge of the 850 plus team ensures that the UK, and other countries in Europe, are provided protection against influenza. We are proud to be working with stakeholders across the city region to establish Liverpool as a leading biotechnology hub and, to do this, we are nurturing these critical STEM-based skills by exploring and committing to research collaborations and partnerships with academic institutions and university departments in a wide range of projects, including data generation and innovation in seasonal and pandemic influenza and technologies.
Right now, in Liverpool, the number of businesses and jobs per resident, as well as the employment rate, are lower than the national average and it is our hope that we can play a key part in the future development of the local area.
