The leader of the UK’s largest life sciences accelerator was given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2025 Innovation Awards last night.
Professor Gino Martini is CEO of the Precision Health Technology Accelerator (PHTA), the University of Birmingham (UoB)’s flagship life sciences research facility located in the newly opened No.1 BHIC (Birmingham Health Innovation Campus) building.
He received the prestigious accolade after a year-long process of voting and judging at a finale awards dinner attended by 500 people at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
‘It’s not about the journey. It’s about the destination.’
“I’m gob-smacked, delighted. Not just for me but for the team. They say it’s all about the journey. It’s not, it’s about the destination. It’s been a hard struggle, but we’ve worked really hard. We’re delighted,” said Prof Martini, reacting to news of the recognition.
Prof Martini is a former Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. With experience in academia and industrial pharmacy, he is focused on helping life sciences SMEs and entrepreneurs to commercialise innovations for patient benefit, as well as using PHTA as an anchor institution to help reduce health inequality in its local community and beyond.
‘Innovation is about mindset’
“What we’re trying to do is to grow businesses and life sciences in the West Midlands,” said Prof Martini.
“It’s all about mindset. Innovation is about mindset. We want people in the West Midlands to believe they can be innovators, they can grow companies in healthcare. That’s what we’re trying to innovate.”
On receiving his award, he added: “It’s a great honour. I’m privileged. It’s actually the team I work with who did all the hard work, and I feel it’s a great acknowledgement of their efforts, but also really excited for the region because this is really important stuff and it creates jobs, but also it makes people live longer and healthier.”
On whether the UK was currently fertile territory for innovation, Prof Martini added: “It really, really is a good place to do business. You’ve got great education, great clinical networks, great universities. Most drugs discovered in the world came from the UK. It’s a fantastic place for innovators.”
Innovation Awards are open to individuals, businesses and organisations across the UK
Dr Richard Fallon, CEO of the Technology Supply Chain (TSC) membership organisation, which runs the annual Innovation Awards, said: “Congratulations to Professor Gino Martini. You have made, and continue to make, a huge impact.”
He added: “We had more entries than ever before this year, and the competition for each category was stronger than it’s ever been. Each winner can be justifiably proud and can look forward to ongoing support from the 5,000-member TSC network as they chart their course to future success.”
The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation.
The awards are open to innovative individuals, businesses and organisations – including universities, local councils and catapults – based in the UK.
