George Freeman Keynote Speaker

George Freeman is a distinguished politician and innovative thinker with significant contributions to British politics and the fields of science and technology. He’s the member of parliament for Mid Norfolk. His expertise in political strategy, technology policy, and innovation ecosystems has established him as a leading voice in shaping the future of the UK.

Freeman began his education at Radley College and later at Girton College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a degree in Geography in 1989. He started his career in Westminster as a lobbyist for the National Farmers’ Union before transitioning to a 15-year tenure in biomedical venture capital, where he founded and financed four biomedical startups.

Freeman’s political journey began with an unsuccessful run for Stevenage in the 2005 general election. Added to the Conservative A-List, he secured the Mid Norfolk seat in October 2006 and was elected MP in 2010. Early in his parliamentary career, Freeman chaired the All Party Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture and served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Climate Change. By July 2011, he was the Government Life Science Advisor.

Freeman was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Life Sciences in 2014, where he made significant strides in advocating for science and technology. In 2017, he founded The Big Tent Ideas Festival, aiming to reconnect the Conservative Party with younger demographics, later broadening its scope to be non-party political. George’s commitment to public service was evident through various roles, including his tenure as Minister of State at the Department for Transport and later as Minister for Science, Research and Innovation. His work included significant investments in road safety and scientific research.

He is the author of “Britain Beyond Brexit” published in 2019 which is a collection of essays by almost 40 leading politicians that explores how a new Conservatism can tackle the grand challenges of our time and win back the next generation of voters.