Speakers

Laurence Woollard, MSc, is the Director of On The Pulse, an independent consultancy he founded in 2017 to work at the nexus of patient advocacy, policy and public affairs, with a distinct focus on rare diseases. Laurence brings a unique perspective shaped by his lived experience of severe haemophilia and a deep understanding of patient-industry collaboration. He has led impactful projects with national and global partners across the medicines lifecycle, influencing decision-making on access, uptake and system readiness.

Alongside his consultancy, Laurence holds a part-time academic role at the University of East Anglia as Patient Research Team Leader for the NIHR-funded IMAB-Qi programme, which focuses on improving medication use and adherence. He serves as a Public Committee Member on the NIHR’s Research for Patient Benefit Programme and as a Patient and Public Voice Partner for NHS England, including on its Specialised Blood Disorders Clinical Reference Group. Laurence is also Co-Chair of ATMP Engage, a UK-based multi-stakeholder initiative co-led by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Genetic Alliance UK. A recognised thought leader, he contributes to international conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and media platforms, championing evidence-based advocacy and patient empowerment.

Laurence holds an MSc with distinction in Health Policy from Imperial College London.