More than 120 leaders from across the pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem came together for the 16th annual PING (Pharmaceutical Industry Network Group) Conference, hosted by VWV Law Firm and sponsored by Hertfordshire Futures – for the 12^th consecutive year.

PING 2025 took place at the historic Old Palace at Hatfield House on May 12. The core theme, 'Sustainability: What must pharma do now?', cut to the heart of one of the sector’s most urgent challenges. From meeting increasing NHS expectations including for all supplies to demonstrate carbon reduction plans by April 2027, and understanding regulatory pressure and the requirements of others in the sector, to investor and lender scrutiny and the growing demands of mission-driven talent, and the dangers of falling behind competitors and greenwashing, the message was clear: sustainability is now central to doing business in pharma, and it cannot be put off.

The conference looked at practical ways to address the challenge - from starting points and supply chain collaboration to using AI and making buildings more sustainable. The final presentation offered an inspiring take on driving change through circularity, both big and small.

Paul Gershlick, Chair of PING and Partner of VWV, a Hertfordshire Futures Board member, summed up the theme of the Conference, saying: “Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have - it has become a defining challenge for pharma across every part of the ecosystem, from R&D to finished product, and from big pharma to other players.”

Hertfordshire Futures Board Member, Stephen Ward, who is also the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’s Chief Technology Officer, was a headline speaker. He spoke about how the life sciences sector is a powerhouse for the UK economy, with over 6,800 businesses generating more than £100 billion in turnover, and immense potential to transform public health and reduce the cost burden on the NHS. Hertfordshire is a key player, he explained, with its thriving biotech cluster including the world’s third largest Cell and Gene Therapy cluster in Stevenage, driving innovation and growth.

Stephen said: "I was delighted that once again Hertfordshire Futures sponsored the PING conference, marking 12 years of association with this key event for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. By convening industry leaders, we were able to better understand what practical steps needed to be taken to ensure that sustainability became the green thread running through the entire life cycle, from early-stage R&D and supply chain right through to the manufacturing and commercialisation process."

“PING sends out a clear message that Hertfordshire and the UK is a very attractive place for our diverse industry to grow. The scale of that global ambition and the clear vision for a more sustainable future is evidenced in PING’s hugely exciting programme and the calibre of speakers. Hertfordshire Futures is very proud of its ongoing association with this event which is rooted in the county.”

Andrew Lewin MP for Welwyn Hatfield opened the Conference, emphasising the strategic importance of the life sciences sector in both the local Hertfordshire and national communities and economies.  Watch the address in full.

Hertfordshire Futures Chair, Adrian Hawkins OBE, and Paul Gershlick co-presented the Ping Innovation Award to Fiona Li, Founder and CEO of VasoDynamics. a UK company improving cancer care worldwide (pictured).

Addressing delegates in a pre-dinner speech, Adrian said: “Today has been a remarkable day filled with insightful discussions and inspiring presentations. We've explored the critical role of sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry and the innovative strides being made to ensure a greener future. It's clear that the pharma sector is not only a powerhouse for the economy but also a leader in driving positive environmental change. Each year, PING goes above and beyond expectations, taking on some of the biggest issues facing the sector and opening these up for challenge and debate.”

The programme brought together a range of voices, from NHS leadership and global pharma players to sustainability consultants and legal experts. Speakers Peter Morgan (NHS England) and Andrew Griffiths (Planet Mark) provided powerful insights into the growing national and international requirements on pharma to meet the Net Zero agenda and how organisations must rise to the challenge.

Discussions explored issues such as greenwashing (Charlotte Biddlecombe, DLRC), how Scope 3 emissions play the central role (Cassandra Brown, Manufacture 2030), sustainability considerations around buildings and where to move (Emily Slupek, Savills and David Roden, Niazi Roden) and AI’s potential to support environmental goals (Richard Charter, CHLOE Healthcare Advisory Group). Helene Wilson (Nordic Pharma) addressed the critical link between sustainability and talent attraction and retention, with over “fifty percent of graduates now research a company’s sustainability approach before applying for a job”.

There were practical insights around investor expectations and access to funding (Professor Dr Funke Abimbola MBE and Dr Matthew Konneh), and how and where to go about the change and engagement (Madelyn Postman, GRAIN Sustainability) as well as how consumers and packaging changes can make impact (Amber Harrison, GRAIN Sustainability). The session concluded with some inspirational examples of product life cycles and how one person's waste could be used as another's raw material (Dr Césaré Cejas, MFX). Real-world examples, shared openly by industry leaders and innovators, brought clarity to both the opportunities and ongoing challenges.

An evening of networking, dinner, and a performance from the talented musicians of The Purcell School for Young Musicians followed to cap of yet another exciting and informative PING Conference.

Visit PING’s website.