LSIPR 50 2016: Bill and Melinda Gates
Names: Bill and Melinda Gates
Organisation: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Positions: Co-chairs and trustees
Bill Gates is undeniably best known for being the co-founder of Microsoft, one of the world’s largest computer technology companies. But aside from his technical endeavours Gates, who is regularly named among the planet’s wealthiest people, is also one of the biggest philanthropic donors.
In 2000, he and his wife Melinda set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and it is the organisation’s work in the life sciences and healthcare industry that has cemented its nomination in LSIPR Top 50. The primary aims of the foundation are to reduce global poverty and, as a by-product of this, it has also undertaken plenty of initiatives in the healthcare industry.
The foundation has a global health programme team that oversees work to improve health conditions in developing countries. Among its initiatives are efforts in research and development of health solutions, including vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics; attempts to deepen engagement and partnership initiatives with industry sectors; and providing technical expertise in drug and diagnostic development.
