This year’s lecture will be delivered by the Rt Hon Professor the Lord Kakkar KG KBE PC.

In his lecture ‘Health, prosperity and democracy - a role for life sciences?’ Lord Kakkar will set out the argument that health, prosperity, and democracy are deeply intertwined and, shaped by the insights he has gained through his career interests as a clinician, a researcher and a Life Peer within the House of Lords, he will present the case that life sciences is a vital, practical tool that could be used to strengthen all three.

Lord Kakkar is Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University College London, and President of the Thrombosis Research Institute in London. He is Chairman of King’s Health Partners academic health sciences centre, the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research, the King’s Fund and UK Biobank. 

 He completed his medical degree at King’s College London and PhD at Imperial College London. His research interests include the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease and cancer-associated thrombosis. In 2010 Lord Kakkar was created a Life Peer sitting on the cross benches of the House of Lords. He has served on a range of science and health committees and is currently serving the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

 He is Chairman of The Royal Commission for the 1851 Exhibition (2022), Chancellor of the University of Lincoln (2023) and Chair Designate for the Royal Veterinary College.  Lord Kakkar was appointed a member of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council in 2014, created a Knight Commander of the order of the British Empire in 2022 and was appointed Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of The Garter by His Majesty King Charles III in 2024.