Dr Mather will establish the new Group and work with Campus leaders to steer the Campus’s scientific strategy, drawing on her extensive experience across industry, research, government and technology. This will support the continued growth of the Campus – which is centred on genomics, biodata, health data, translation and data science – as technology, data, and AI revolutionise life sciences, presenting new ways to tackle some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Dr Mather is Life Sciences Lead at IBM Consulting across the UK, Ireland and EMEA, where she helps life sciences and health research organisations harness data, AI, and digital innovation to deliver transformation. As the founding Director for the UK Government’s Office for Life Sciences, Dr Mather played a central role in shaping the sector-led Life Sciences Industrial Strategy and was responsible for attracting major investment into UK genomics and health data. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult and holds a DPhil in Neuroscience from the University of Oxford.

Her appointment comes as the Campus is about to start construction of Phase 1 of its ambitious expansion plans, which include 1.6 million square feet for cutting-edge R&D, laboratory and commercial spaces, as well as 1,500 new homes for Campus workers and their families. Over the coming years, the Campus will grow from 125 to 440 acres and welcome thousands of new science, research and technology workers.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Nicole Mather said: “The Wellcome Genome Campus is uniquely placed to connect world-class science, data and innovation at scale. With the expansion underway, it’s an exciting time to establish the Science Advisory Group and shape a strategy that allows the Campus to optimise its scientific, technology and translational opportunities and global impact.”

Robert Evans, CEO at the Wellcome Genome Campus Limited said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Nicole as Chair of our Science Strategy Group. She brings a rare combination of experience across science, policy and industry. Her expertise will be pivotal as we grow our community and ecosystem and strengthen the role of the Campus, at the interface of translational science and technology.”

Phil Clark, Chair of Wellcome Genome Campus Ltd said: “By guiding our strategic priorities, Nicole and the Science Advisory Group will help the Campus advance science and accelerate discovery, drive improvements to healthcare, nurture talent and inspire future generations through collaboration, innovation and openness.”

The expansion of the Wellcome Genome Campus builds on the international standing and achievements of Wellcome Sanger Institute and EMBL-EBI and the new opportunities presented by the planned Health Data Research Service (HDRS). Expansion will provide new facilities that will enhance the current offer and deliver opportunities for new activities, research and commercial endeavours.

The expanded Campus will include new community uses and social infrastructure including a nursery, conferencing, hotel, retail and leisure, food and drink, new landscaping and public realm, biodiversity enhancements, an energy farm, microgrid and ambient loop energy systems.