Under the visionary leadership of Dr Natalie Kenny, BioGrad was established in 2014 in Welwyn Garden in London. Moving to Liverpool in 2015, BioGrad has charted an extraordinary path of growth and transformation over the past ten years.
Originally founded with an aim to advance research education in the scientific field, BioGrad has expanded its mission and impact, becoming a beacon of innovation in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
A Transformative Journey
From its inception, BioGrad has been dedicated to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. CEO and founder of BioGrad, Dr Natalie Kenny explains, “years ago, I had MA and PhD students who did not have the skills that they needed to do their job in the lab. So, they had really great experience of the theory, but when it came to the lab, they didn’t know how to keep it clean, or get rid of their waste, the pipetting wasn’t done properly. They had all of these degrees and Masters coming out of their ears, but when it came to lab skills, they just didn’t have it”.
Dr Kenny continues, “When my son was born and I’d just come off maternity leave, I decided to set up a little maternity hobby and I was going to teach PhD students how to do real skills in a real lab with real scientists. When I was on maternity leave, I registered BioGrad. I did it and thought maybe I’d teach a few training courses, then I’d go back to work. And that’s how BioGrad started, because I wanted to teach scientists real science.”
Ten years since Dr Kenny registered the company that began as BioGrad Laboratories, it has flourished into The BioGrad Group, a multifaceted organisation encompassing a range of specialised divisions, including BioGrad Education, BioGrad Biobank, BioGrad Prenatal, BioGrad Diagnostics and BioGrad Foundation.
Overcoming Challenges
Throughout its history BioGrad has faced and successfully navigated numerous challenges, with the COVID-19 pandemic being one of the most significant. During this unprecedented global crisis, BioGrad rose to the occasion, becoming one of only five providers in the UK approved by UKAS to process COVID-19 tests.
“Our key strength is that we can pivot really quickly. We had mass COVID PCR testing on the market before the UK government had mass testing on the market. In early 2020, we were screening about 3,000 people a day in the UK. We then ended up white labelling it, all from Liverpool to 92 other suppliers. We got some very big national contracts, and they were all delivered from Liverpool through BioGrad Diagnostics.”
The revenue generated during the pandemic has been reinvested into creating new jobs in the Liverpool City Region, boosting the local economy, and contributing to the community’s resilience. Additionally, BioGrad has made substantial investments in scientific equipment and facilities, enhancing the quality of their training provision and establishing a multifaceted scientific research centre. This centre is now at the forefront of advancements in a plethora of scientific disciplines, further solidifying BioGrad’s position as a leader in science and healthcare innovation.
Matthew Fagan, Managing Director of BioGrad, describes the importance of regional partnerships, “BioGrad worked with a number of companies around the Liverpool region, but also worked with the Liverpool City Region and Liverpool City Council. We do this in a number of different ways. As everyone knows, we had a pandemic and during the pandemic, BioGrad supported the local authorities and local schools providing COVID testing, providing services and health checks. As well as that, we’ve also formed a partnership with the Liverpool City Region where we deliver Skills Bootcamps in the region to help support the growth and education of scientists in the local area. What we’re trying to do is, get more scientists into educational roles. For example, in the last two months, we’ve managed to get over 150 people into new roles. We will continue to do this in the Liverpool City Region for a long time to come, hopefully.”
Staff Testimonies
At BioGrad, the company prioritises its staff, putting people first. This has always been Dr Kenny’s vision: to build a company that values its employees, their time, and their lives. In addition to continually investing in equipment, training, and a progress-focused working environment, BioGrad also encourages its staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The company’s mission and values are reflected in initiatives such as housing schemes for employees, extended paternity leave beyond statutory requirements, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Jay Fitzgerald, Clinical Director: “I love working for BioGrad. It feels like my home and where I’m meant to be. I joined BioGrad in 2020, and I thought it was going to be a short-term role during the COVID pandemic. But from the very first day that I walked in, I knew this is somewhere I wanted to be, and I still get that feeling every time I walk through those doors. We have a fabulous team; we always step up to the challenge no matter what that might be. It’s just a fabulous place to work. The team around us, I’m sure, feels the same.”
Elle Owen, Marketing Executive: “I’ve been working here for seven years because Dr Kenny invests in the staff progress and has vested interest in our growth personally and professionally. I just love working at BioGrad because each day is different, and I’m always tasked to do something fun and creative that I know will be shown on all social media channels that will show how BioGrad is and what is does for students, staff and companies that we work with.”
Catherine Witter, Director of Adult Education and Operations: “It was a professional dream come true to be offered the role to lead the Practical Endorsement courses here. The support here at BioGrad is immense. If you could bottle the team spirit up, you would. No question is a stupid question, nothing you need to ask of anybody is too much trouble. I’m really happy day-to-day coming to work. I love the bones of the building. I can’t think of a better role for me to have in this company to add to and influence people going into those STEM careers which are so important to us in the UK. I am look forward to making a real difference as a role model, as a woman in STEM.”
Andy Russell, Level 3 Programmes Manager: “It’s a fantastic place to work with a fantastic team. Everyone brings different skills, different experiences and different perspectives to the projects that we work on that are always very wide-ranging and exciting as well as meaningful. One of the best things about working at BioGrad for me personally is seeing the students that we welcome for a week, or two weeks or six weeks or whatever it might be. We get to see them go on to achieve their dreams of getting into medical school or getting to do the career that they were aiming for. It’s nice to know we’ve played our part in that journey.”
Catherine Kennedy, Head of Quality: “I came to work for BioGrad in April, and I can honestly say it’s been a pleasure to work here. I’ve learnt a lot, and I’ve also contributed to the success of the Ofsted inspection, along with an amazing team. I’m really happy that I joined BioGrad Education because I love it when on a Sunday night, I’m not dreading coming to work. My role helps me develop my skills and to develop other people’s skills. What’s really been the positive about coming to BioGrad is celebrating the successes of the Skills Bootcamp participants, their progression within their careers, the opportunities that are now available to them and to celebrate that they’ve been successful in gaining employment.”
Daisy Marquadt, Senior Scientist: “The main thing about BioGrad has always been the people. I have fulfilled several roles at BioGrad in the past, from working in the COVID labs during the highly stressful pandemic to now working on more research. It’s always been the people I work with. From the beginning, we had fantastic teams of people, and it has been really great to have people from all different backgrounds and have interesting conversations with them. Honestly, every day here you learn something new from the people around you. It’s just great.”
Celebrating a Decade of Excellence
As BioGrad steps into its second decade, the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and education. The future promises further expansion of educational programmes, continued innovation in regenerative medicine, and new ventures in diagnostics and healthcare. With a solid foundation built over the past ten years, BioGrad is poised to lead the way.
A Legacy of Impact
BioGrad’s ten-year journey is a testament to what can be achieved through visionary leadership, dedication, and an environment that nurtures staff. As the organisation celebrates this milestone, it also looks ahead with optimism and determination, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the next decade. BioGrad’s story is one of growth, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives through science and education.
