2025 BioFocus Conference

Clare is Principal Strategic Opportunities Manager for life sciences at CPI, which was established in 2004 by One North East to focus on disruptive, transformative, and market-creating technology innovation. CPI is a founding member of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialisation of deep tech and sustainable manufacturing solutions, primarily in pharma, HealthTech, sustainable materials, and future food systems.

 

Clare holds a PhD in microbiome science and a Master’s degree in industrial biotechnology from the University of Newcastle. She has over 20 years of experience in the biopharma, bioprocessing and biotechnology sectors and has spent her career with UK industry working across technical, strategic and innovation development roles. In her current role at CPI Clare is responsible for exploring the innovation landscape across the life sciences to identify technology innovation gaps facing the sector and develop large-scale strategic opportunities to support long term business growth.

 

Greig Rooney is a globally recognised operational leader with over 25 years of international experience driving enterprise value across biotech, pharmaceuticals, animal health, and advanced manufacturing. He has held executive roles across six continents, delivering transformational growth, operational excellence, and high-impact leadership in both private and public sectors.

Currently Managing Director at Valneva Scotland, Greig played a pivotal role in the UK’s COVID-19 response—scaling vaccine production, working closely with the Scottish Government, and delivering record-breaking output. Prior to this, he led the transformation of a major UK-based pharma CDMO into a key mRNA vaccine supplier in partnership with the UK Vaccine Task Force.

Greig has held C-suite and board-level positions at companies including Dechra Pharmaceuticals and GSK, where he led global manufacturing networks, large-scale M&A integrations, and multi-million-pound capital projects. Known for turning strategy into action, he’s consistently delivered exceptional commercial, regulatory, and people outcomes — including revenue growth exceeding 100%, major cost restructures, and award-winning operational performance.
A Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, Greig is currently completing the Chief Executive Officer Program at UC Berkeley. He is also Chair of the Scottish Patient Awareness Council.

A passionate advocate for skills development, innovation, and community impact, Greig has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including for Innovation, Skills Development, and Resilience. His leadership is defined by empowering people, overcoming complex challenges, and delivering lasting, scalable value.
 

Sophie Hambleton is a clinician scientist who leads the Primary Immunodeficiency Group at Newcastle University and is best known for her research on the molecular basis of novel inborn errors of the immune system.  Her group’s discoveries include the first examples of dendritic cell deficiency in humans, isolated viral susceptibility arising from defective type I interferon signalling and novel monogenic causes of SCID, CID & immune dysregulation in childhood.  In addition, Sophie plays an active part in the paediatric immunology service at the Great North Children's Hospital, focused on molecular diagnosis and therapy for inborn errors of immunity.