Insight bulletin: Life sciences talent migration: UK’s skills challenge

Life sciences blends science, technology and innovation to address global challenges, driving demand for skilled professionals in an increasingly competitive market. 

Despite its legacy as a knowledge hub, the UK is losing top talent to Europe and the US. Retaining homegrown experts and attracting global talent is essential to sustaining the industry’s momentum post-pandemic.

Acacium Group is a global healthcare delivery partner with a specialised life sciences division, including Dunn Regulatory Associates, Hobson Prior, Proclinical and R&D Partners. We support all stages of the clinical trial lifecycle, from discovery to commercial build-out, across the drug, medical device and medtech sectors. Our unique position allows us to track life sciences workforce migration trends. 

This bulletin analyses placements made by Acacium Group’s life sciences businesses from January 2023 to December 2024, highlighting a growing talent imbalance in the sector. 

Key insight 1: The UK exports more life sciences professionals than it imports

• For every life sciences professional that arrives in the UK, more than six leave, creating a ‘brain drain’ that could threaten the UK’s position as a leading life sciences hub.  
• The UK faces a talent imbalance, with 118 professionals exported compared to just 19 imported between January 2023 and December 2024.  
• This disparity represents an 86% to 14% export-to-import ratio, resulting in a net loss of 99 highly skilled professionals.  
• The 84% net talent deficit threatens the UK’s long-term position as a leading life sciences hub.

Key insight 2: The talent deficit is improving but remains severe

• The UK’s net loss of life sciences professionals has worsened from 63% in 2021-2022 to 72% in 2023-2024.
• Although fewer life sciences professionals are leaving the UK (174 exports vs 118), the percentage of those leaving compared to those staying has increased. This indicates that the UK still faces significant challenges in retaining talent within the industry.

Key insight 3: Destinations for UK life sciences talent is shifting

• Germany has solidified its position as the top destination, attracting 23% of UK life sciences professionals in 2023-2024, up from 17% in 2021-2022. 
• Switzerland remains a strong competitor, attracting 14% of UK professionals in 2023-2024, though this is a slight decrease from 19% in the previous period. 
• The United States has decreased its draw to UK life sciences professionals, with its share decreasing from 10% to 8%. Meanwhile, Iceland has emerged as a new destination, replacing Spain, indicating shifting preferences and new opportunities in emerging markets.

Key insight 4: Net outflow across life sciences but the talent deficit varies by skill

• Many specialist roles are experiencing a net outflow of professionals. Clinical roles show the most severe talent drain with 17 exports versus only one import, creating a critical gap in this essential area of life sciences expertise.
• Commercial talent flows have improved since 2021-2022, with exports decreasing from 32 to 15, yet the 15:1 export-import ratio still highlights the UK’s persistent challenge in attracting business expertise.
• Drug safety has transformed from a balanced area to a concerning deficit zone, with exports increasing sixfold from 2 to 12, with just 1 in 2023- 2024.
• Technical operation roles also present a talent drain scenario with 10 professionals leaving with no incoming talent.
• Quality assurance demonstrates the most promising profile with a 10:6 export-import ratio, showing steady improvement from previous periods while still experiencing net talent outflow.

Key insight 5: The UK’s talent deficit occurs within a broader context of strong regional talent retention

• Europe and North America demonstrate robust internal talent circulation, with 3,225 professionals moving within Europe and 1,392 within North America in 2023-2024.
• The UK faces a talent deficit, with 1,311 domestic placements outpaced by 3,225 professionals circulating within Europe. This means nearly 2.5 times more life science professionals are moving within Europe compared to staying in the UK.
• The difference in the circulation of life science professionals within Europe compared to the UK has widened since 2021-2022, when European internal movement (3,490) outnumbered UK domestic placements (1,501) by 2.3 times.
• The data potentially highlights a more isolated post-Brexit position for the UK, with investment directed toward more integrated markets undermining the UK’s competitive position in life sciences.

Key insights 6: Addressing the UK’s talent mobility challenges

The UK government can help reverse this brain drain by implementing targeted immigration reforms and policies that attract and retain top life sciences talent. To sustain its position as a global leader, the UK must take decisive action to address the growing talent deficit by:

• Enhancing retention strategies: Developing targeted initiatives to retain high-demand talent, including competitive compensation, career development opportunities and industry-academic partnerships.
• Policy and immigration reform: Introducing visa and residency programmes that attract and retain skilled professionals in key life sciences roles.
• Strengthening domestic talent pipelines: Increasing investment in STEM education, upskilling programmes and apprenticeships to reduce reliance on imported expertise.
• Building international collaboration: Establishing stronger partnerships with global talent hubs to create more seamless talent exchange programmes.

Acacium Group: Life sciences solutions

Trusted by the world’s leading pharmaceutical, med tech, biotech and contract research firms, we provide expert staff and managed services that make the difference in delivering all stages of the drug lifecycle, from discovery to manufacturing and commercial build-out.

For further information or to discuss how we can support life sciences workforce needs, please get in touch.