OUR FOUNDERS
Andrew Carlin
CEO, CFO
Director of Strategy and Programmes at EIT Food, Europe’s largest agri-food innovation network, Andrew developed and delivered cutting-edge mission-based strategy and impact funding campaigns.
He has extensive experience in setting strategic direction, facilitation and evaluation of impact funding spend of over 50m Euros p/a.
Andrew brings strong European and UK researcher and innovator networks built on 20+ years’ experience in technology transfer and start-up investment.
Vanessa Bailey
CIO, CTO
Vanessa developed the SEED EI (Social, Economic, Environmental Development through Ecosystem Innovation) consulting approach in her innovation and design consultancy Three Rise, which is being scaled through ID Chambers.
Vanessa has a powerful combination of experience working with GOs, NGOs, SMEs, academic institutions and corporate clients to embrace system design techniques and leading-edge entrepreneurship, commercialisation and knowledge exchange strategies.
She has architected and delivered academic accelerators including Northern Accelerators’ Future Founders Programme that has been running successfully for over 8 years.
Abi Hird
CDO, CSO
Founder of DeFankle Innovation consultancy, Abi previously worked as Head of Design for Innovate UK’s KTN.
Abi's specific expertise includes bringing manufactured products to market, forecasting resource requirements for innovation, inculcating design into innovation and more latterly she is leading the way in inclusive design.
Abi has a Doctorate in Systems Engineering and post graduate qualifications in Operational Research and Academic Practice.
Tony Doherty
COO, CMO
Founder of Clerkenwell Training, Tony is an executive coach, expert facilitator and highly skilled trainer with more than twenty years’ experience of consulting, training and coaching on leadership, organisational change and programme management.
Tony is perfectly placed to support leaders as they navigate innovation in established and challenger organisations.
He has a strong base of corporate clients and a background in business strategy and marketing.