This rising stars series would not be complete without highlighting innovative healthcare and life sciences companies, as the sector has become a significant growth area for the UK.

Last year about 4,000 UK healthcare technology — healthtech — companies turned over more than £30 billion, and the UK was the second-most popular destination for healthtech merger and acquisition deals globally. The sector was given a boost after Covid-19 dramatically accelerated reliance on telemedicine, whereby patients can have remote access to clinicians either by video or voice call. Other areas of growth include technology to help with at-home health monitoring and imaging products allowing more effective treatments.

As we enter 2023, the NHS continues to face enormous challenges including staff shortages and record waiting lists. Against