This year I have had a packed schedule at the Conservative Party Conference, talking at over twenty events about innovation and enterprise in healthcare and for SMEs.

SUNDAY

On Sunday, I spoke at a joint event with the Institute of Directors and Open Europe on how we need to reform and renegotiate our relationship with Europe to deliver for Britain. Having been an active member of the Fresh Start Group campaigning for EU reform, and recently writing a report on how the EU affects the UK Life Science sector, I think the Prime Minister's landmark strategy for renegotiation followed by a referendum provides us with a unique opportunity to reshape our relationship with Europe.

I also spoke at a Bright Blue dinner on making Britain an 'Enterprise Nation', backing small and medium sized businesses to grow and export to the fastest-growing emerging markets. As a Minister at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, and having spent fifteen years founding over ten new companies before coming to Parliament, I am passionate about the role SMEs play in training, job creation and economic growth.

MONDAY

On Monday, I spoke at an Alzheimer's Society event on 'Where next for dementia?', where I highlighted the role of charities and the importance of breaking down the silos between research, treatment and care. Having been involved in the G8 Dementia Summit, and co-ordinated the Life Science Strategy in 2011, I know the progress we are making in combating this terrible disease and the work we still have to do.

Later, I spoke about 'Innovation and Intellectual Property' at a party business day and then addressed conference in the main hall about how Life Sciences is a central plank to this Government's long-term economic plan.



I was also delighted to be part of a roundtable at a Science Council event, talking about how research and innovation adds to our national wealth and creates jobs all over the country. My final event on Monday was speaking at a Social Market Foundation dinner on how we can create an integrated patient experience, using data and electronic patient records, something I have previously worked on in my Patient Data Bill I introduced to the House earlier this year.