UK

United Kingdom · Research and development · Lead (8-12 years)

Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandLead (8-12 years)
  • Direct reports3-8 reports
  • Reports toLaboratory Equipment Specialist Manager
  • UK framework levelUsually a manager, or the deepest specialist in a team

Also advertised as Metrology Engineer · Senior Instrument Validation Engineer · Laboratory Systems Architect

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 3 of 10 standards
ETCAL Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities ETC Awards Limited · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards
GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 4 of 10 standards
GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 2 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 2 of 10 standards
GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Maintenance ETC Awards Limited · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions for laboratory use GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
Prepare compounds and solutions for scientific or technical use GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
Laboratory Measurement Techniques GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 2 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills
Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management
Servicing Laboratory Equipment ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Maintenance

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Trust Fluency keeping the digital world safe
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist

5 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions for laboratory use GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 3 of 10 standards Level 3
  2. Prepare compounds and solutions for scientific or technical use GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 4 of 10 standards Level 2
  3. Laboratory Measurement Techniques GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 2
  4. Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  5. Servicing Laboratory Equipment ETC Awards Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 3
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • Advanced Data Analytics for Equipment Performance
  • IoT & Smart Lab Integration
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist plan as you set up, starting with the free Data Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

A Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist manages the instrumentation that keeps a lab's research running to standard. The work covers calibration programmes, equipment selection, and keeping systems compliant.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Instrument Control Software (e.g., Thermo Fisher Chromeleon, Agilent OpenLab, Waters Empower) Expert

Troubleshooting complex software errors, developing advanced methods, and providing expert-level training and support to your team on multiple platforms. You'll also be involved in selecting new software.

LIMS (Lab Information Management System, e.g., LabWare LIMS, STARLIMS) Advanced

Configuring instrument interfaces with LIMS, validating new LIMS modules, and resolving complex data transfer and integrity issues. You'll understand the data architecture and ensure compliance.

CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System, e.g., eMaint CMMS, Fiix) Expert

Developing and optimising PM schedules, analysing maintenance data to identify trends, managing spare parts inventory, and generating reports for strategic decision-making. You'll be the system's power user.

QMS (Quality Management System, e.g., Veeva QualityDocs, MasterControl) Advanced

Authoring and revising critical SOPs, managing change controls for equipment, and acting as a subject matter expert during audits. You'll ensure our equipment processes meet all quality standards.

Calibration Management Software (e.g., Blue Mountain RAM, ProCalV5) Expert

Developing and approving calibration methods, managing out-of-tolerance investigations, optimising calibration intervals, and ensuring full traceability for all measurements. You'll govern the system.

ERP / Asset Management (e.g., SAP PM, Oracle EAM) Intermediate

Managing the full asset lifecycle from procurement to decommissioning within the ERP, tracking depreciation, service contracts, and providing data for capital planning. You'll work closely with Finance.

Collaboration & Project Management (e.g., Jira, Confluence, MS Teams, PowerPoint) Advanced

Creating and managing complex project plans for new equipment installations, presenting strategic plans and budget justifications to leadership, and coordinating team activities. This is how you'll get things done.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Equipment Troubleshooting & Repair Escalate complex issues to a Senior Specialist. Independently diagnose and repair routine to moderately complex faults; escalate novel issues. Diagnose and resolve complex, non-routine failures; provide technical guidance to others.
Calibration Method Development Execute established calibration procedures. Adapt existing calibration methods for minor variations. Author and validate new calibration methods for specific instruments.
New Equipment Selection & Procurement Provide feedback on user experience for existing equipment. Research potential vendors for specific instrument types; gather quotes. Evaluate technical specifications of new equipment; make recommendations to leadership.
Team Management & Development N/A (no direct reports). Informally mentor new joiners. Mentor 0-2 junior specialists; provide technical guidance.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Reduction in Unplanned Downtime
The percentage decrease in unexpected equipment failures that halt research.
Target · Achieve a 15% year-over-year reduction for critical asset classes (e.g., mass spectrometers, sequencers).

If our HPLC fleet had 100 hours of unplanned downtime last year, we'd aim for no more than 85 hours this year. You'd track this by analysing CMMS logs and incident reports.

New Equipment Installation Project Success Rate
The percentage of new instrument installations (including IQ/OQ/PQ) completed on time and within the allocated budget.
Target · Maintain a 95% success rate for all major equipment installation projects.

Successfully delivering 19 out of 20 new instrument installations, each with its full qualification package, within the agreed timelines and budget. One project might have a minor delay, but the overall programme stays on track.

Calibration Programme Adherence
The percentage of scheduled calibrations completed on time, ensuring no instruments go 'out of cal' due to missed maintenance.
Target · Achieve 99.5% adherence to the annual calibration schedule across all regulated equipment.

Out of 500 scheduled calibrations for the month, completing 498 on time, with the two missed ones having a documented, approved deferral or being proactively rescheduled before expiry.

Team Productivity & Efficiency
Overall throughput of your direct reports, measured by completed work orders, PMs, and project tasks per specialist.
Target · Increase average work order completion rate by 10% for your team, without compromising quality, by optimising workflows.

If your team typically closes 150 work orders a month, we'd expect to see that number climb to 165 or more, often by streamlining processes or better resource allocation.

R&D Scientist Satisfaction
How happy our researchers are with the reliability of their equipment and the responsiveness of your team.
  • Regular feedback from R&D leads, informal check-ins, and formal survey results (e.g., Net Promoter Score for lab support). Scientists proactively ask for your input on new experiments or equipment needs, showing trust. Fewer complaints about instrument availability or data quality.
Regulatory Audit Preparedness
The readiness and successful defence of our equipment management and metrology programmes during internal and external audits.
  • Zero critical findings related to equipment during regulatory inspections. Auditors comment positively on the clarity and completeness of documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ, calibration records, SOPs). Your ability to articulate and defend our processes to external bodies.
Strategic Vendor Management
The effectiveness of your relationships with key equipment vendors and service providers, leading to better service, pricing, and support.
  • Demonstrable improvements in service contract terms, faster response times for critical repairs, and proactive communication from vendors about new technologies or potential issues. You're seen as a valued partner, not just a customer.
Team Mentorship & Development
Your ability to guide, develop, and technically upskill your direct reports, fostering a strong, knowledgeable team.
  • Successful promotion of 1-2 junior specialists to higher levels. Positive feedback from team members about your guidance and support. Your team consistently meets or exceeds performance targets, indicating strong leadership and training.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Enabling Scientific Discovery

You get a real kick out of knowing your work directly supports groundbreaking research. When a scientist gets a critical result because the instrument you qualified was perfectly accurate, that's your win too.

You've just finished a complex IQ/OQ/PQ on a new gene sequencer, and a week later, the R&D team announces a breakthrough in a novel therapeutic. You know your meticulous work made that possible.

Solving Complex Technical Puzzles

You thrive on the challenge of diagnosing an obscure instrument fault or designing a robust metrology programme from scratch. The more intricate the problem, the more engaged you are.

An instrument is showing intermittent, inexplicable errors. You spend days digging through schematics, software logs, and vendor notes, eventually pinpointing a subtle firmware bug that no one else could find.

Building & Leading High-Performing Systems

You enjoy the process of designing efficient workflows, building a strong, knowledgeable team, and seeing the entire equipment management system operate like a well-oiled machine.

You successfully implement a new predictive maintenance strategy that reduces critical instrument downtime by 20%, and your team is now proactively addressing issues before they impact research.

What frustrates people
  • The 'urgent' request at 4:30 PM on a Friday for an instrument that's been 'critical' all week, but no one bothered to mention it until now.
  • Dealing with vendor technical support that feels like a black hole, especially for obscure or older instruments.
  • Budgetary handcuffs: knowing a relatively small investment could prevent major downtime, but being told it's not a priority until a catastrophic failure occurs.
  • The constant tension between scientific speed and regulatory thoroughness—sometimes it feels like you're always saying 'no' or 'not yet'.
  • Investigating an instrument fault where the user provides zero useful information, and the problem mysteriously vanishes the moment you arrive.
What this role does not give you
  • A purely reactive, 'break-fix' day-to-day. You're expected to think strategically.
  • Complete freedom from regulatory oversight. Compliance is a fundamental part of the job.
  • A static, unchanging environment. New instruments, new regulations, and new scientific needs mean constant evolution.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the operational effectiveness and regulatory standing of our R&D labs. By ensuring equipment reliability and compliance, you're safeguarding the integrity of our scientific data, accelerating research timelines, and protecting the company from significant regulatory risks. Your decisions on equipment strategy and validation directly influence capital expenditure and operational efficiency across the entire Research & Development department.

Inside the business
  • R&D Scientists (all levels)
  • Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs
  • Facilities & Engineering
  • Procurement & Finance
  • IT & Data Management
Outside the business
  • Equipment Vendors & Service Providers
  • Calibration Service Houses
  • Regulatory Auditors (e.g., MHRA, FDA)
  • Industry Consortia & Standards Bodies

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven experience (5+ years) as a Senior Laboratory Equipment Specialist or similar role in a regulated R&D or manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrable experience leading complex equipment qualification projects (IQ/OQ/PQ) from start to finish.
  • A track record of successfully mentoring junior team members and improving team performance.
  • Expert-level proficiency with at least one major LIMS and CMMS platform, including configuration and data analysis.
  • Strong understanding of metrology principles and experience in designing and managing calibration programmes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Spectroscopic & Chromatographic Troubleshooting

As our R&D pushes into more complex molecules and analytical challenges, the instruments (e.g., advanced Mass Spectrometry, multi-dimensional Chromatography) become more intricate. Diagnosing subtle issues that affect highly sensitive analyses will require a deeper, more nuanced technical understanding.

Ionisation Techniques & Mass Analysers · Chromatographic Separation Theory · Data Interpretation for Instrument Diagnostics · Vacuum Systems & Cryogenics

  • This quarter: Attend advanced vendor-specific training courses for our most complex analytical instruments (e.g., a 3-day Mass Spec maintenance course).
  • Next quarter: Shadow R&D scientists during complex analytical runs to better understand their challenges and instrument limitations.
  • Month 6: Take ownership of the most challenging recurring troubleshooting issues for a specific instrument type, documenting your findings.
  • Month 9: Present a 'lessons learned' session to your team on advanced troubleshooting techniques for a particular instrument.

Quick win: Spend dedicated time reviewing the most complex instrument manuals and schematics that you typically defer to vendors. Start building your internal expert knowledge base.

Digital Twin & Simulation for Lab Design

Before we even buy new equipment or design a new lab layout, we'll be using 'digital twins'—virtual models—to simulate performance, workflow, and even maintenance scenarios. This saves huge amounts of time and money by identifying issues before anything is physically built or purchased.

3D Modelling Software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) · Workflow Simulation Tools · Predictive Maintenance Simulation · Virtual Reality (VR) for Training & Design Review

  • This quarter: Research companies offering digital twin solutions for laboratories and attend relevant webinars.
  • Next quarter: Work with our Facilities team to understand their use of CAD software for lab layouts.
  • Month 6: Propose a small-scale digital twin project for a new instrument installation, perhaps just for workflow optimisation.
  • Month 9: Explore free or trial versions of simulation software to understand their capabilities for equipment planning.

Quick win: Talk to our Facilities and Engineering teams about how they currently plan new lab spaces. Understand their pain points and identify where a digital twin approach could solve them.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend industry conferences and workshops focused on laboratory automation, metrology, and regulatory compliance (e.g., Pittcon, Analytica, ISPE events).
  • Participate in professional organisations like the Institute of Measurement and Control or the Royal Society of Chemistry to stay current with best practices.
  • Enroll in advanced training courses offered by major instrument vendors to deepen your expertise on specific technologies.
  • Seek out opportunities to present on equipment management topics, either internally or at external forums, to build your reputation as a thought leader.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Advanced Data Analytics for Equipment Performance

We're moving beyond basic CMMS reports. The sheer volume of data generated by modern lab instruments and maintenance systems means we can extract much deeper insights into equipment reliability, failure patterns, and maintenance optimisation. Competitors are already using this to gain an edge.

  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection
  • Predictive Modelling for Asset Lifespan
  • Data Visualisation Dashboards

IoT & Smart Lab Integration

The 'Internet of Things' is rapidly coming to the lab. Instruments will be increasingly connected, generating real-time data, and requiring remote monitoring and control. Understanding how to integrate and secure these 'smart' devices will be crucial for efficiency and data integrity.

  • Network Protocols for Lab Devices
  • Data Security & Cybersecurity in IoT
  • Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
  • Edge Computing in the Lab

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • IQ/OQ/PQ (Installation, Operational, Performance Qualification)
  • GMP/GLP (Good Manufacturing/Laboratory Practices)
  • Metrology & Calibration Principles
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Strategy
  • SOP Authoring & Lifecycle Management

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    From Senior Laboratory Equipment Specialist

    Typically 3-5 years as a Senior Specialist.

    Skills to master

    • Mastering complex troubleshooting, leading multiple IQ/OQ/PQ projects, authoring critical SOPs, and informally mentoring junior staff. You'll need to show you can take full ownership of a technology area.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently delivers complex projects on time and to a high standard.
    • Proactively identifies and solves systemic equipment issues, not just symptoms.
    • Trusted by R&D scientists and Quality Assurance as a subject matter expert.
    • Demonstrates strong leadership potential and a desire to take on more strategic responsibilities.
  2. 2

    From Metrology Engineer (other industries)

    Roughly 8-10 years experience, with 3-5 years in a lead role.

    Skills to master

    • Adapting your metrology expertise to the specific regulatory demands of R&D (GMP/GLP). Understanding the unique challenges of scientific instrumentation and data integrity in a drug discovery context. Building relationships with R&D scientists.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Can articulate how your metrology experience translates directly to a regulated R&D environment.
    • Demonstrates a strong understanding of GMP/GLP and data integrity principles.
    • Proven ability to design and implement robust calibration programmes.
    • Excellent communication skills to bridge the gap between metrology and scientific research.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to managing larger lab operations, moving into a specialist metrology role, or shaping R&D infrastructure strategy.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions for laboratory use, worked against Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist.

Measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions for laboratory use Level 3

Applied to your work in Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to accurately measure, weigh, and prepare compounds and solutions for laboratory use, adhering to safety protocols and quality standards. Learners will develop proficiency in using measuring equipment, preparing solutions to specified concentrations, and evaluating the quality of prepared substances, ensuring consistency and accuracy in laboratory procedures.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist
  • IQ/OQ/PQ (Installation, Operational, Performance Qualification)
  • GMP/GLP (Good Manufacturing/Laboratory Practices)
  • Metrology & Calibration Principles
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Strategy
  • SOP Authoring & Lifecycle Management
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Laboratory Equipment Specialist Manager (Level 5)

    Roughly 3-5 years in the Lead role.

    This is a significant step into formal people management and broader functional oversight. You'll move from leading programmes to leading a department.

    • Strategic planning for lab infrastructure (beyond just equipment).
    • Risk management at a departmental level, including disaster recovery planning.
    • Talent acquisition and retention strategies for technical specialists.
    • Presenting departmental performance and strategic plans to executive leadership.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Imagine spending less time on tedious diagnostics, manual record-keeping, and chasing down parts. AI isn't here to replace you; it's here to give you superpowers, making your work as a Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist more strategic, proactive, and frankly, more interesting. We're building an AI Productivity Hub to help you get there.

In Research & Development, every minute saved on equipment maintenance and management means more time for groundbreaking science. AI tools can handle the grunt work, predict issues before they happen, and even draft your compliance documents. Here's a glimpse of how you'll be working smarter, not harder:

Predictive Maintenance Alerts

AI models will analyse real-time sensor data (think pressure, temperature, vibration) from our critical instruments. It'll predict component failures before they actually happen, automatically generating a work order in our CMMS. This means fewer emergency breakdowns and more planned, efficient maintenance. You'll shift from reactive firefighting to strategic prevention.

Accelerated Root Cause Analysis

When an instrument does go down, an AI tool will ingest thousands of historical error logs, maintenance records, and vendor manuals. It'll then suggest the top 3 most probable root causes based on patterns that are often invisible to the human eye. This drastically shortens the diagnostic phase of complex repairs, getting our scientists back to work faster.

Smart Parts & Vendor Sourcing

Need a specific, hard-to-find replacement part? Use an AI assistant to scan global supplier databases for obsolete components, comparing specs, price, and lead times instantly. No more manually searching multiple vendor websites or spending hours on the phone. This streamlines your procurement process and ensures faster repairs.

Automated SOP & Report Drafting

AI can generate a first draft of an SOP, a validation summary report, or even a deviation report based on the instrument's technical specifications and a standard template. You'll then edit and refine the draft, converting a writing task into a much quicker editing task. This speeds up compliance documentation significantly, freeing you up for more technical work.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist?

Common routes in include From Senior Laboratory Equipment Specialist (Typically 3-5 years as a Senior Specialist.) and From Metrology Engineer (other industries) (Roughly 8-10 years experience, with 3-5 years in a lead role.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist progress to?

This role can lead on to Laboratory Equipment Specialist Manager (Roughly 3-5 years in the Lead role.), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Lead Laboratory Equipment Specialist?

Increasingly, Advanced Data Analytics for Equipment Performance and IoT & Smart Lab Integration. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 5

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in research and development

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

The skills involved, regulated equipment management, metrology and quality systems, apply across pharmaceutical, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing settings where precision and compliance matter.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Data Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.