George Freeman Keynote Speaker

Veteran UK Science & Technology Minister
Trade Envoy to Southeast Asia & Deputy Select Chair
Leader in global science & technology policy

George Freeman's Biography

George Freeman FRSA FRGS MP is a Veteran UK Science & Technology Minister, elected to Parliament in 2010 after a 16yr career in biotechnology venture capital building high-growth ventures in the Cambridge cluster, he has served over the last 15yrs in frontline science & technology Ministerial roles shaping the UK’s biggest ever increase in R+D funding, national programs and international collaborations for Life Science, Ai, Space, Quantum, Fusion & Biotechnology.

Re-elected for a 5th time in 2024, he was appointed UK Trade Envoy to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines by the new Government, and elected Deputy Chair of the Science & Technology Select Committee. He also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions.

A leading advocate of the UK as a Science Superpower in the global race for Science & Technology sovereignty, he oversaw the UK’s biggest ever increase in R+D spending in 2021 to £20bn p/a, the creation of ARIA, the National Science & Technology Council, and launched the International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF) in Tokyo.

He represented the UK at successive G7 and G20 science & technology summits, where he led calls for greater action on research security & industrial espionage, negotiations strengthening strategic science and technology partnerships with Canada, Japan, Israel, and Switzerland, alongside successfully securing the UK’s re-association to Horizon Europe.

A leading advocate of UK leadership in innovative, agile & digital regulation, launching the UK’s first regulatory sandboxes, he also chaired the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform, advancing regulatory “sandbox” models across sectors including autonomous systems, drones, novel foods, and bioengineered materials.

An Ambassador to the Earth Space Sustainability Initiative Astra Carta space debris project he launched with HM The King, he has advised a number of international projects, funds and ventures in frontier science & technology.

Author of over 50 published articles on science and technology policy, including Britain Beyond Brexit, George is a sought-after speaker at international conferences on the geopolitics of the Global Race for technology sovereignty, the growth of science and technology clusters in the Gulf and South-East Asia, industrial strategy, research security, and the geopolitics of Ai, Quantum & Space.

Politics & Economic Development Through Innovation

As a MP discover George's work in Parliament and how it has significantly impacted British politics. Explore how he continues to influence the field of politics and innovation through his work.

Innovation & Technology Policy

Explore insights on innovation policy, the future of technology, and the role of government in fostering economic development. Understand how George inspires audiences to embrace change and innovation and his contribution to drive economic growth through innovation, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are widely shared.

He has operated at the heart of UK and global science and technology policymaking, shaping major national programmes and representing the UK at G7 and G20 summits.
He translates complex geopolitical and technological shifts in AI, quantum, space and biotech into clear strategic insight for leaders navigating innovation and growth.
He brings first-hand experience from government, venture capital and international diplomacy to help organisations understand the intersection of policy, investment and technological change.
He is an experienced keynote speaker and advisor, equally effective in high-level conferences, executive briefings and private strategy sessions.
His insights help leaders anticipate regulatory change, manage geopolitical risk and position their organisations to compete in the global race for science and technology leadership.