Latest news with #DavidStockdale
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK government targets manufacturing as it eyes £41bn life science sector growth
The UK Government will enhance manufacturing and commercialisation as it looks to harness the value of the life sciences sector for the country's economy. In a new Life Sciences sector plan, the government outlined a six-point action plan to ensure the sector reaches its forecasted value increase of £41bn, representing a growth of 165% by 2035. The government is aiming to make the UK the leading life sciences economy in Europe, and third largest in the world behind only America and China. While excelling at research and development (R&D), the report outlines difficulties with commercialisation and adoption. For example, despite being the first country to approve a CRISPR-based medicine, Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics' Casgevy for sickle cell anaemia is primarily commercialised overseas. In a bid to scale industry, the government has pledged £520m to improve life science manufacturing. Outlaid via the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSMIF), the investment will aim to expand the UK's manufacturing capabilities and supply chain security. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as British pharmaceutical companies are significantly increasing their investments in the United States. GSK invested $800m in drug substance and drug product manufacturing facilities in the US in October 2024. AstraZeneca – which has a market cap of £162bn – is reportedly plotting a move of its public listing to the US stock exchange in what would be a major blow to the UK economy. To facilitate the industry's expansion, the government will look to increase access to scale-up capital. There has been a cautious domestic investor base, leading to a lull in emerging companies with high economic outputs. The government will measure investment by the number of UK life science companies with a valuation of over £10bn, the number of companies on the FTSE 300, and the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the sector. From a regulatory standpoint, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) will be supported to provide faster approvals and more efficient reimbursement. Optimism and criticism for UK life sciences MHRA's chief executive Lawrence Tallon welcomed the news, saying: 'It's great to see the MHRA is recognised as a pivotal partner in delivering the plan's vision - by supporting innovation, protecting public health, and making the UK a global destination for innovators to research, develop and launch cutting-edge medical products.' David Stockdale, chief executive of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) highlighted the importance of reducing regulatory and financial barriers to accelerate faster delivery of innovative MedTech solutions to patients. "We welcome today's announcement which rightly aims to make the UK a leading hub for investment and innovation in lifesaving MedTech, an essential step if we are to improve patient care and cut down waiting times. We particularly welcome the renewed commitments to the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund and the NHS Innovator Passports. Our members are eager to deliver their innovative products and services to patients more quickly and efficiently, and we look forward to working with the Government to make this a reality. Clinical trials are set to benefit from the plan, with a new 150 day or lower target for trial set up times. Finally, up to £600m will be put towards an artificial intelligence (AI)-ready health data platform, a strategy already launched in April 2025. The BioIndustry Association (BIA) said: 'The life science sector plan is right to focus on getting substantially more public and private investment in early-stage companies, improved access to data, trials and skills to help companies grow, and more streamlined regulation and market access pathways to get innovative medicines to NHS patients.' However, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) commented that the plan falls short of investing in innovative medicines. Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, said: [The UK life sciences sector] has been struggling to remain competitive and attractive to investment. The solutions proposed are necessary and important, but they are not enough to turn around the UK's decline. 'The UK must address the core issue holding back the life sciences sector, the long-term disinvestment in innovative medicines that is increasingly preventing NHS patients from accessing medications that are available in other countries.' The life science sector plan comes hot on the heels of the 10-year health plan unveiled for the NHS earlier this month, which placed emphasis on technology and digitalisation. "UK government targets manufacturing as it eyes £41bn life science sector growth" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
English football club resigns from league weeks after ex-Prem star becomes owner
One Premier League alumnus has seen his latest endeavour end weeks after his takeover was confirmed following word his new club has had to withdraw from competition Former Fulham and Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale faces an uncertain future following Farsley Celtic's decision to withdraw from England's ninth tier. The choice has been made just a fortnight after it was confirmed Stockdale and his family had agreed a deal to purchase the club. The 39-year-old made a number of moves into the business world towards the end of his playing career and took over as manager of the West Yorkshire outfit in February. However, his stint was dotted with disappointment after losing each of his 15 league games in charge as the club was relegated from the National League North and dropped down three divisions. Farsley, who once received a five-figure sum after one of their player featured in a Euro 2016 qualifier, had intended to lay a new 4G pitch but were forced to abandon the project midway through. This left the club playing its home fixtures elsewhere, mostly at Buxton's Tarmac Silverlands Stadium 70 miles away. Despite those setbacks, Stockdale committed to the club and brought the Celt Army hope by agreeing to end the controversial ownership of Paul Barthorpe in June, per Birmingham Live. But that new era now faces an uncertain future following the club's decision to resign from the Northern Counties East League. A statement from the club read: "Farsley Celtic Football Club can confirm that, following extensive discussions and careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw our team from the Northern Counties East League for the 2025/26 season. "This decision has not been taken lightly and comes as part of a wider strategic review of the club's structure, amid ongoing developments regarding a proposed takeover. Given the current situation and the transitional period we are entering, it has been determined that stepping back from NCEL competition is the most appropriate course of action at this time. "All relevant stakeholders have been fully consulted throughout the process, and their views have been carefully considered in reaching this outcome. As a result of this decision, the Elite Talent Squad and the Academy & Education Programme have chosen to leave the club ahead of the 2025/26 season." While the factors leading up to the club's latest development are largely negative, Farsley's board have acted responsibly in taking the difficult decision to withdraw. Fans have endured a rough time in recent seasons amid certain setbacks on and off the field, but this choice hints the priority is to get their house in order as they decide on a best course of action. Retired goalkeeper Stockdale, who previously managed Blyth Spartans, made 481 professional appearances during a career spanning more than two decades. This includes 39 outings in England's top flight, all of which came during his six-year stint at Craven Cottage. Having started and finished his professional playing career with York City, Stockdale spent the vast majority of his career in the Championship. Some of his more notable clubs at that level include Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers, where he just missed out on promotion back to the Championship in 2022. Per Stockdale's official website, he and wife Katie run a property business called MDB13 Properties Ltd. This entity is responsible for running their portfolio of 30 to 40 properties, which boasts an "estimated value of £4million to £5m." Resigning from the Northern Counties East League could also means Farsley will not compete in the FA Cup or FA Vase this coming campaign. However, there is optimism among fans online that it will lead to a renewed effort to get back in the National League come 2026.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Club drops out of league amid talk of takeover
Farsley Celtic Football Club has withdrawn from the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) for the 2025/26 Leeds-based team said the decision formed part of a wider strategic review of its structure regarding a proposed consequence, the Elite Talent Squad and the Academy & Education Programme have chosen to leave the Club ahead of the 2025/26 season. The club stressed the decision will not impact its women's, Deaf, or development teams, which will continue to operate across the season In February this year, the club launched a campaign to raise £25,000 to help with running costs, which it stated had built up due to delays installing a new 4G pitch at homeground the Citadel. This had led Farsley to play home fixtures almost 70 miles away in Buxton, earlier this month, the team announced club manager David Stockdale had agreed to buy the club, following months of insecurity about its Monday, Farsley, who were recently relegated from the sixth tier of English football to the ninth tier, stated: "Given the current situation, and the transitional period we are entering, it has been determined that stepping back from NCEL competition is the most appropriate course of action at this time."All relevant stakeholders have been fully consulted throughout the process, and their views have been carefully considered in reaching this outcome."The club said it will share updates regarding the takeover in due course. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Premier League star, 39, buys crisis club that he manages just weeks after they were demoted THREE divisions
FORMER Premier League star David Stockdale has bought non-league side Farsley Celtic - a club he has managed since February. The crisis club were demoted three divisions following relegation from the National League North last season. 1 Stockdale, who made 39 Prem appearances for Fulham, was unable to change the clubs fortunes as Farsley picked up just five wins from 46 matches. The former keeper took charge in February and has now completed a takeover of the club with his family, buying out controversial owner Paul Barthorpe. A club statement read: "The club can confirm that the Stockdale family has agreed with the major shareholders to acquire 100% of FC 2010 (Holdings) Ltd. "The formal completion of the purchase is subject to final legal technicalities. "The club will provide further updates in due course." Stockdale, 39, has a rebuild on his hands with Farsely Celtic set to compete in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division - step nine. The Celts were denied an FA licence for steps one to four of non-league, and were homeless for the last campaign. A problem installing an artificial pitch at their ground Throstle Nest meant Celtic had to play 70 miles away in Buxton, Derbyshire. Fan protest followed with many unhappy at Barthorpe's stewardship of the club. He departed midway through the season after receiving death threats and being physically attacked. Fans, who have boycotted matches, accused ex-owner Barthorpe of trying to 'ruin' the club and believe he is more interested in trying to sell their home stadium to housing developers. He denied those claims and accused supporters of damaging his property. A statement in January read: "People saying I don't care, I'm destroying the club, I'm not investing in the club, I have ulterior motives which clearly could not be further from the truth! "This has been my life for almost six years and anyone who owns a business and commits everything to it knows the unconditional love you have for it! "If my motivation was to run it into the ground I wouldn't have kept investing to the levels I have on a weekly basis." Barthorpe added: 'There have been accusations of a lack of information being shared and a lack of clarity. "The truth is I have had a number of death threats hand delivered to my home address, I have been physically attacked, I've had my car damaged three times, my car tyres slashed, items thrown at my house. "And a number of other incidents that have happened directly after club posts or directly after other posts that are damaging and critical and as usual shared across multiple social media sites. "All of this is currently under investigation and we have been therefore advised to keep our posts to a minimum, so as not to escalate these incidents. "We are also conscious of sharing any issues or problems we may be encountering, as these get weaponised and used against us repeatedly on social media."
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale buys Farsley Celtic
The manager of non-league football side Farsley Celtic has agreed to buy the club after months of insecurity regarding the team's future. The Leeds-based team, who were recently relegated from the sixth tier of English football to the ninth tier, announced David Stockdale's family would be taking over the who is from Leeds and played in the Premier League as a goalkeeper for Fulham, has managed The Celt Army since February. The formal completion of the purchase is subject to "final legal technicalities", according to the club. Delays installing a new 4G pitch at home ground the Citadel resulted in Farsley playing their home fixtures almost 70 miles away in Buxton, Derbyshire, last chairman Paul Barthorpe stepped down in February, with the board announcing its financial challenges were leaving the side in a "battle to get through the rest of the season".After relegation from National League North, the side were moved to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division - the ninth tier of English football - after they were were denied an FA licence. A statement posted on the club's website on Monday said: "The club can confirm that the Stockdale family has agreed with the major shareholders to acquire 100% of FC 2010 (Holdings) Ltd."The formal completion of the purchase is subject to final legal technicalities."The club will provide further updates in due course."Posting on Facebook, Stockdale, who also played for clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and Birmingham, said: "Time to get started. Exciting times." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
