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United Kingdom Paul Drayson transitioned from a successful biotech entrepreneur and racing driver to a distinguished political figure, holding key ministerial positions and contributing significantly to UK science and innovation policy.
Member of the Board of Directors.
CEO of the clinical AI company. The company floated on AIM in 2018 and uses NHS data to provide clinical insights to the pharmaceutical industry, with data-sharing agreements with 12 NHS trusts.
Chairman of the biometric smart-card company. This company previously launched the CleanSpace service to address UK air pollution.
Chairman.
Co-founder and Trustee.
Science Entrepreneur in Residence.
Supernumerary Fellow.
Co-founder and owner, a motorsport research and development business, which he co-founded in 2007. He devoted himself to this company after losing his ministerial positions in 2010.
Co-founder, Chairman and CEO. Led the business until its sale to Chiron Corporation in 2003.
Current president.
Sensyne Health (founded by Drayson) utilises NHS data to provide clinical insights to the pharmaceutical industry, with data-sharing agreements with 12 NHS trusts.
Lord Paul Drayson began his career as an engineer, completing his PhD at Aston University in 1985. In 1987, he became Managing Director of The Lambourn Food Company Limited, orchestrating a management buyout in 1989 before its sale in 1991. The same year, he founded Genisys Development Limited, a consultancy focusing on new product development. In 1993, he co-founded PowderJect Pharmaceuticals Plc, where he served as Chairman and CEO until the company was sold to Chiron Corporation in 2003 for £542 million. PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, a spin-out from Oxford University, specialized in vaccine production and developed a needle-free injection system. During his tenure, PowderJect became Europe’s largest producer of flu vaccine, demonstrating his capability in both scientific innovation and business leadership. From 2001 to 2002, he was also elected chairman of the U.K. BioIndustry Association.
Drayson’s career expanded into public service and motorsports. In 2004, he was appointed to the House of Lords and became a Member of the Science and Technology Committee. He held several significant ministerial roles, including Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (2005-2007), Minister of State for Defence Equipment & Support (2006-2007), and Minister of State for Science & Innovation (2008-2010). His political career focused on leveraging science and innovation for national development, including using government procurement to support the science base. Concurrently, he co-founded Drayson Racing Technologies LLP in 2007, an endeavor that allowed him to pursue his passion for motor racing, including competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as inspiring young people towards science and engineering careers.
In 2014, he established Drayson Technologies Ltd (now Freevolt Technologies Ltd), a biometric smart-card company where he currently serves as Chairman. This venture led to the spin-out of Sensyne Health plc, a clinical AI company, where he initially served as CEO. Sensyne Health focused on using NHS data to provide clinical insights to the pharmaceutical industry, forming data-sharing agreements with multiple NHS trusts. However, he was ousted as CEO in April 2022. Beyond his business and political achievements, Drayson is currently a Science Entrepreneur in Residence at Magdalen College, Oxford, and a Supernumerary Fellow at St. John’s College, Oxford. He is also a co-founder and Trustee of the Drayson Foundation and a Member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council.
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