Field of Expertise
Entrepreneurship and open innovation
Expertise
I am a versatile and dynamic consulting manager, specialising in business innovation, knowledge exchange, collaborative research and operational excellence. Acknowledged as a perceptive communicator with an inventive nature, I create opportunities for businesses to create value from new technology and market change, using far-reaching understanding of industry developments and customer drivers. Through business and management roles I have contacts across several sectors, including aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, utilities and renewable energy. Roles in central government included development of inter-departmental policies to foster academic-business innovation. I had Director roles in programmes to facilitate the knowledge economy, science communications and R&D investment. I am a qualified PRINCE 2 Practitioner and have been commended for leading high-performing teams of technical specialists. My leadership and organisational skills are evidenced by successful management of multi-million pound knowledge transfer and business innovation grant programmes on behalf of government and Innovate UK. With a background in chemical technologies, I have a broad understanding of science and technology principles and my entrepreneurial spirit quickly recognises opportunities for commercialisation. I have direct experience of supporting innovative businesses to secure funding and deliver new technologies through Knowledge Transfer Networks. Personally, I am a strong and perceptive communicator who quickly and easily creates rapport at board and operational levels, to encourage collaborative working and networking. Specialties: Analytical and creative business development strategies; Cross-sectoral technology integration; Commercialisation of R&D; Social benefits of innovation; Science communication; Planning, project and budget management; Networks and customer relationships