London, 24th January 2019 – JLL has today announced the appointment of Dr Glenn Crocker, former CEO of BioCity Group, as head of UK Life Sciences. Glenn brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience stretching over thirty years to lead and grow JLL’s specialist UK Life Sciences group, at a time when the sector is recognised as a central pillar to UK economic growth.
Glenn joins from BioCity Group, a leading UK Life Sciences business incubator and bioscience park, where he spent over 15 years as CEO, working closely with large and small pharmaceutical companies, universities and government agencies. At BioCity he oversaw the conversion of several former pharma company research facilities across the UK into thriving clusters housing hundreds of fast-growing life science companies. He is a recognised expert on how to do this and on how to build a successful life science ecosystem. Glenn was also responsible for BioCity’s venture investment division and sat on the board of many entrepreneurial companies.
His new role at JLL will involve leading and growing the Life Sciences Group, comprising a team of experienced professionals across the UK. Glenn’s move is in recognition that, as industry trends highlight, “place” has become a critical success factor for life science companies. Understanding the needs of life science companies and how to build vibrant clusters of innovation has never been more important and applies to large and small pharma, investors and developers, universities and local authorities alike.
Sue Asprey-Price, Head of Corporate Solutions UK, JLL says: “Glenn’s appointment is a standout strategic hire for us and comes at a time when the life sciences sector, which is going through profound change, presents new market opportunities for entrants and disruptors. His extensive industry experience, together with his academic background, will be a tremendous asset to both our occupier and investor clients, giving them competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving sector.”
Glenn Crocker, UK Head of Life Sciences, JLL says: “There are seismic shifts in the life science industry, driven by fierce competition for talent and innovation. Strategic responses to this that can be deployed by companies include a focus on location, working environment and local life science ecosystem, each of which has property at its heart. This is recognised by JLL, which is why I am so pleased to have joined. I have spent most of my working life helping life science companies to succeed and I see my role at JLL as providing a platform to realising that ambition on a new level.
“JLL’s knowledge of the market dynamics of this growing industry, its connections with life science organisations and its access to global capital offer a promising opportunity and I am excited for the future.
JLL has extensive experience in the Life Sciences sector having been involved in a number of the major Life-Science focused opportunities in the UK. This experience covers a broad range of disciplines to include Agency, Capital Markets, Development Consultancy, Project & Development Services, Planning, Valuation and Property & Asset Management. Over the last five years, notable projects include a landmark £200m Joint Venture in 2018 between Tus Park, the science park development arm of Tsinghua University, and Trinity College at Cambridge Science Park; funding, planning and agency advice to Imperial College at their White City Campus in west London and in-depth market analysis, advice on masterplanning, funding options and delivery models on emerging new life science clusters in the Golden Triangle of London, Cambridge and Oxford.
