MHRA leadership returns to Leeds to connect with the health innovation ecosystem

This latest visit demonstrated that commitment in action. By returning with his leadership team, Lawrence Tallon highlighted the MHRA’s commitment to being more than a satellite presence in Leeds. Instead, the aim is for the new hub to be woven into the fabric of the city’s thriving digital health and medtech community – building partnerships, engaging locally, and ensuring the benefits are felt by patients, innovators and the wider economy alike. 

Hosted by the University of Leeds and the Leeds Academic Health Partnership, the session brought together innovators, system leaders, academics, and policy makers to explore how the MHRA can fully connect with the region’s capabilities. Chaired by Professor David Hogg, Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the University’s School of Computing, the discussions highlighted the strength and diversity of Leeds’ health innovation ecosystem, as well as the collaborative culture that underpins it. 

A central theme was the city’s growing expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, with initiatives such as the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Medical Diagnosis and Care helping to attract and develop the next generation of talent. Alongside this, there was a focus on building capacity in regulatory science, with opportunities identified to strengthen expertise across the HealthTech Research Centre community through partnership with the MHRA. 

Participants also explored the challenge of ensuring regulation keeps pace with rapid innovation, particularly at the grassroots level, where entrepreneurs and start-ups are driving new ideas forward. The conversation highlighted practical routes to collaboration, including initiatives such as the MHRA’s AI Airlock, which provides a dedicated space for testing and learning. 

It conveyed a clear message that Leeds is not only home to world-class innovation and infrastructure, but also to a culture of partnership that brings together academia, business, the healthcare system and government in pursuit of shared impact. 

The hub is set to create significant economic opportunities. Recruitment is currently underway for a variety of data and digital positions, leveraging Leeds’ strong talent pool of graduates, researchers, and health data professionals. 

With more than 300 healthtech businesses generating £3 billion annually, and major regional programmes in play such as the Leeds Innovation Arc and West Yorkshire Investment Zone, the MHRA’s presence adds further momentum to Leeds’ reputation as the UK’s premier location for health innovation. 

Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Lawrence Tallon emphasised the importance of embedding the MHRA into Leeds’ health innovation community: 

“It’s a pleasure to be in Leeds to meet members of the digital health community, alongside representatives from government and the university, and to hear first-hand about the inspiring work being carried out by so many organisations and innovators.”  

At Nexus, we see the power of collaboration every day, as innovators work alongside system leaders, researchers, and policymakers to turn ideas into real-world solutions. Hosting the MHRA leadership team once again reinforced both our mission to connect people and organisations that help innovators thrive, as well as Leeds’ unique position at the forefront of digital health and agile regulation. This collaborative spirit is what continues to set the pace for the rest of the UK. 

The MHRA’s decision to invest here – and their rapid follow-up visit with senior leaders on the ground – is a clear testament to the city’s strengths and our shared ambition to deliver innovation that improves lives, strengthens the NHS, and drives the regional economy. 

We look forward to working with MHRA colleagues as they fully integrate into our healthtech community and help us build a healthier, fairer, and more innovative future.