James joined BIC Innovation in December 2020 following a successful 30 year career in Higher Education, Public Sector Business Support and the Medical Diagnostics Industry where he had an international business development role.
An effective team player, James has been responsible for securing multi-million pounds funding deals for a variety of capital projects but has also successfully delivered engagement projects involving university and wider communities. He is a qualified executive coach who brings a collaborative leadership style to every project he’s involved with. James is an experienced leader of innovation projects, project management, evaluation and transformational change management. He puts a very high value on communication.
WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND?
Recently, James was responsible for oversight of £80m of EU funded business engagement projects and North Wales Growth Deal at Bangor University.
Over 17 years he has held a number of roles including Pontio Deputy Director leading on wider engagement. He ran a successful commercial research unit that linked business school expertise with external projects. He secured the funding and governance structure for the Bangor Business School Management Centre dealing with legal and VAT issues.
Before that he was business services manager for Gwynedd Council running a series of business incubators. He was on the board of United Kingdom Science Park Society.
WHAT IS SOMETHING GROWING SMES HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT YOU WANT TO FIX?
Finding time to work ON the business rather than working 24/7 IN the business.
WHAT UPCOMING INNOVATION WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPACT THE INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
Acceleration of mixed virtual and in person working and augmented reality visualisation in a variety of domains such as the Metaverse.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first job after leaving university was caretaker in a large city centre church!
WHAT ARE YOUR KEY SKILLS?
Strategic planning, persuasive communicator, team worker, collaboration & strong attention to detail.
