Investing in the Future of Yorkshire Healthcare
Lisa Ward, manager of the Investing in Health programme which helps healthcare companies in the region improve their chances of investment, says that the sector is vital to the growth of the local economy and a key driver in the recovery following the fall out from the recession.
Lisa said: "We urge the LEPs and Council leaders to continue supporting the healthcare and life science sectors in the region. We are supporting over 100 companies in Yorkshire who are looking for an average investment of 800,000GBP. This figure alone demonstrates the potential for growth in the sector and the region's influential leaders need to build on the work that Yorkshire Forward has done and continue to invest in the sector. Healthcare remains an attractive investment opportunity, even in the face of recession, due to both the continuing need to treat patients and increasing social obligations. If the region can bring new technologies to market that deliver efficient and high quality patient care, then it will place itself on the world map. At present, investors are backing companies which are truly innovative, alongside those that carry the minimum amount of risk."
Shipley-based Techceram is one of the companies that has benefitted from the Investing in Health programme. Phil Evans, managing director of Techceram, said:
"The Investing in Health programme has proved invaluable to many healthcare companies in Yorkshire. It has enable Techceram to develop its business model to exploit advances in digital technology, which are occurring in the dental field.
It is essential that this support and advice continues with the introduction of the LEPs in the coming months. After two years of recession, the region cannot afford to lose the momentum that programmes such as Investing in Health have seeded."
Led by a team of healthcare and finance experts at Grant Thornton, the Investing in Health programme forms part of Yorkshire Forward's ongoing strategy to support the development of the healthcare technologies industry in Yorkshire and Humber. It provides them with the knowledge, advice, tools and resources needed to access equity funding from national and international investors.
