About Us

This is Bayer UK & Ireland

In the UK, Bayer focuses on accelerating patient access to innovative therapies through partnerships across the health system, expanding clinical research and real-world evidence, and supporting best in class selfcare for consumers. In agriculture, Bayer works with British agronomists and farmers to increase productivity and strengthen their resilience to climate change - combining crop protection, seeds and traits, and digital tools tailored to UK conditions. The company invests in UK collaborations with universities, startups, and industry groups, develops local talent, and maintains responsible operations aligned with national sustainability goals. 

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Our Strategy

Our mission is straightforward: Health for all, Hunger for none. As a global leader in health and nutrition, we are committed to tackling the pressing challenges of our time, including a growing and aging population and the strain on our planet's ecosystems. Read more on how we are delivering on our global mission.

Why it Matters

Rising global challenges - climate change, population growth, disease burden - require more than business as usual. With a strong presence in the UK market, we leverage our expertise to deliver innovative products and services that align with needs farmers and patients in the UK have. Our operations are guided by a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that we create value while minimising our environmental footprint.

 

We are fostering partnerships with healthcare professionals, farmers, and consumers to drive progress in health and agriculture. By aligning our strategies with global objectives, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in the UK, Ireland and beyond. 

Our History

1870: After the establishment of Bayer in Germany in 1863, Bayer makes its first sale in the UK, a magenta dye for textiles

1881: JM Steel & Co founded in Scotland

1926: JM Steel moved its headquarters (HQ) to London

1954: Polyurethane foams and coatings introduced in the UK

1963: Sales top £3 million and Bayer moves to Richmond, Surrey

1968: The name of Bayer Chemicals Ltd replaces JM Steel & Co Ltd

1970: Bayer UK Ltd is set up

1983: Bayer HQ moved to Newbury

1997: Bayer PLC and Bayer Ireland Ltd established

2002: Acquired Aventis to create Bayer Crop Science

2005: Bought Roche OTC and Chemicals spun off to form Lanxess

2017: Bayer UK&I HQ moves to Reading

2018: Official opening of UK&I HQ and Baylab