13 October 2026 | 10:00–16:30 (Networking until 17:00)
Central London Venue
Combining Strengths: Driving the UK Life Sciences Success Through Shared Expertise
As an Establishment Licence Holder, you play a pivotal role in ensuring that UK biomedical research remains compliant, collaborative, and world‑leading. In a landscape where scientific ambition, regulatory expectations, and societal scrutiny continue to evolve, the strength of our sector depends on how effectively we connect, share, and lead.
This year’s CPD workshop will focus on uniting expertise, optimising resources, and shaping the national strategy that drives high‑quality science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Join fellow PELHs for a day of high‑level discussion, strategic insight, and practical problem‑solving around the challenges and opportunities facing establishments today.
Key Themes for 2026
While the full programme is still in development, planned sessions will explore:
- Cross‑sector collaboration – driving connectivity between academia, industry, SMEs, and specialised centres.
- Working across multiple PELs – including visiting PIL holders, secondary availabilities and governance challenges to sharing. Learn more about models for efficiency, governance, and maintaining compliance.,
- Network specialities & shared expertise – building capability across regions and institutions.
- Sharing animals, logistics, and specialist resources – practical pathways to smarter use of facilities and reducing duplication.
- Working with unusual or specialist species – infrastructure, husbandry requirements, and the case for specialist national hubs.
- Commercial sector insights – how competitors collaborate without compromising commercial sensitivity.Collective influence & lobbying – partnering with bodies such as ABPI and EFPIA to shape supportive government policy.
- 3Rs Integration – embedding innovation in refinement, reduction, and responsible research practice.
- Shaping the Future of UK Facilities – reflections from the ongoing BBSRC/MRC review assessing the UK’s capabilities, capacities, and future opportunities in animal research facilities and resources, key messages from national reports/white papers which shape the future and what the emerging recommendations may mean for PELHs.
This forum offers a unique space to examine governance, operational realities, and strategic leadership with others who carry the same statutory responsibilities.
Why Attend?
- Keep abreast of new practices and ways of fulfilling your role
- Strengthen your organisation’s compliance culture and operational resilience
- Share approaches with other leaders facing similar pressures and expectations
- Help influence sector-wide priorities and future policy direction
- Connect with peers during informal networking drinks (16:30–17:00)
Save the Date: 13 October 2026
Further details—including programme, speakers—will follow soon.