SAS hero and author is speaker

Nov 27 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

NORTH East-born war hero Chris Ryan has been confirmed as a guest speaker at next week’s Business for Life Awards, which focus on bioscience and healthcare sectors.

The former SAS trooper and author, who is originally from Rowlands Gill, is most famous for being the only member of an eight-man team to escape from Iraq during the first Gulf War.

The event is hosted by Cels – an organisation driving growth in the healthcare industry – and celebrates the achievements of the North East’s thriving healthcare and life sciences sector.

Cels supports advancements in assistive technology, regenerative medicine and health informatics and encourages scientific research to grow the regional healthcare economy, and attract global companies to invest in the region.

Cels CEO Mike Asher said: “Chris’s story is remarkable and his involvement in this year’s awards will make the evening extra special, as we recognise the vast achievements of the healthcare sector in the region.” David Bottril, from IDS, was a regional and national winner in 2007 and is encouraging companies to get involved in the awards.

He said: “The accolade of winning such an award helps to motivate the whole team and company who are clearly actively involved in our success.”

For details on the awards, which take place next Thursday, go to nebusiness.co.uk/technology