The view from here revisited: Richard Stubbs

How do you assess the current state of our region and how it’s evolved since we last spoke – especially in relation to the health innovation sector?

The health innovation sector in Yorkshire is stronger than ever.

Over the past few years, the region has done extraordinarily well in developing assets and improving the quality of work being carried out.

The vibrancy of Yorkshire’s health innovation sector is clear, with government and other stakeholders increasingly being drawn to the region. There’s a snowball effect happening – you can’t pinpoint one single event, person, or initiative that started it, but momentum has been building for a while. We’re also becoming better at celebrating and shouting about our achievements, which only adds to the interest and intrigue about what’s going on here, which makes people experience a bit of “FOMO” about what’s happening.

Ultimately, the perception of Leeds is changing – more people from London are now choosing to base themselves here, which represents a significant change compared to just five years ago.

What do you think are some of the most significant developments and achievements in the region over the past five years?

One of the most impressive developments has been the growth of the professional services sector in Yorkshire. Leeds is now the second biggest financial district outside of London, offering businesses everything they need in one city, which is an exciting advantage for the region.

The leadership we’ve seen from figures such as Tom Riordan (Leeds City Council CEO) and others has been vital in giving the region direction and helping it thrive. Compared to other parts of the country, where a lack of leadership often limits progression, Yorkshire really stands out. It’s easy to take this strong leadership for granted, but it’s one of the reasons the area continues to punch above its weight on a national level.

The Health Innovation Network has been vital for connecting innovators. Do you have any examples of an entrepreneurial success story or collaborative project that has gained national or international recognition through this platform?

Absolutely. One standout example is PinPoint Data Science. They’re doing incredible work using machine learning to identify patients on waiting lists. This achieves a “double whammy” – patients on two-week wait lists, anxious about potential diagnoses are identified and reassured earlier if their results are clear, while freeing up the capacity for clinicians to focus on patients who need urgent attention.

In an era of backlogs in the healthcare system, solutions like these are no-brainers. I’m incredibly proud of Giles and the team at PinPoint for delivering such impactful work.

What do you see as some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the region in terms of health innovation and economic growth over the next few years?

This is both an exciting and challenging time. The NHS is under immense pressure, especially as the workforce hasn’t yet fully recovered since COVID.

However, this also presents a huge opportunity both nationally but also here in Yorkshire where the healthtech ecosystem is so strong. The government is thinking seriously about how to transform the delivery of health and care, and it’s clear that tech and digital innovation will be central to this transformation. The time for change is now and through collaboration, we have an opportunity to do something groundbreaking.

Are there any areas of health innovation that we should be paying attention to in the next 3–5 years? Are there any emerging trends that could create breakthrough opportunities?

AI and machine learning will be game changers in the healthcare space, especially in addressing the workforce challenge.

A specific example is ambient voice technology, which has the potential to transform consultations. Imagine a system that listens in on conversations between patients and doctors, then automates the process – ordering tests, drafting letters, and creating care pathways – all by the end of the conversation. Of course, the final step would require sign-off from the consultant, but this type of technology would significantly streamline workflows. It’s going to revolutionise the way we work and hopefully improve patient outcomes too.

How do you see the Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber’s role shaping the next wave of health innovation over the next 5-10 years?

One of our top priorities is ensuring diversity in health innovation. From an R&D perspective, we need to focus on developing innovations that cater to all citizens. An excellent example of why this matters is the case of pulse oximeters, which we found out much too late may not be as accurate for patients with darker skin tones. Ideally, we should identify these kinds of issues before they go to market so that innovations are inclusive right from the start.

We’re also aiming to establish a centre for excellence in Yorkshire to help rebalance investment across the country. We can’t lose sight of the ambition around ‘levelling up’, and Yorkshire is improving at showcasing itself as a region ripe for investment. We want to secure greater recognition, bring in more national assets, and focus on breaking the gravitational pull towards London.

What role has Nexus played in your journey since we last spoke?

Nexus has been hugely important for us and is synonymous with the success we’ve achieved. Nexus gives us a venue to proudly showcase the region’s assets and host influential stakeholders.

We rely on partners in the region who share our mission but specialise in delivering different parts of the puzzle. Our goal is to support patients through health innovation while also fostering economic development. Nexus plays a key role in achieving this – it’s one of the elements that makes Yorkshire such an appealing region for investment.

When we promote Yorkshire internationally, Nexus is central to our strategy. It serves as a ready-made landing strip for organisations to enter the local ecosystem, allowing them to make connections and find their footing instantly.

Frankly, we wouldn’t be half as successful without the ability to leverage the value and opportunities Nexus provides.

Keep your eyes peeled for more conversations as part of The View from Here revisited series.