Innovate Cambridge appoints Kathryn Chapman to spearhead global ambitions

A molecular bioscientist, Chapman has had a distinguished career in diverse leadership and strategic roles across the public and private sectors.

Following a successful research career at the University of Manchester, Harvard Medical School, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and GlaxoSmithKline, Chapman has played a pivotal role in shaping inclusive innovation landscapes, building cross-disciplinary virtual and physical communities and creating novel models to remove barriers to success.

This includes a decade building and leading the innovation strategy for NC3Rs, a UKRI Research Council, establishing the Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge to deliver an innovation hub for life sciences and directing the innovation strategy at the Babraham Research Campus.

Throughout these roles. Chapman’s focus has been on spearheading initiatives that propel startups, entrepreneurs and businesses towards success and driving meaningful change at a national and international level.

At Innovate Cambridge, Chapman will lead the organisation’s strategy to amplify and enable the city’s world-class innovation system. The Cambridge tech ecosystem was recently valued at £148 billion, representing 18 per cent of the entire UK ecosystem according to research by Dealroom, with Cambridge startups producing over £12.86 in value for every pound of venture capital investment. That is way ahead of the UK and London (£4.11 and £3.65, respectively).

The city’s 5,500+ knowledge-intensive companies turn over £24 billion annually and employ more than 73,000 people.

Cambridge is well placed to drive prosperity through economic growth, solve local issues and tackle global challenges thanks to the innovation community that has been cultivated and supported in the city.

The Innovate Cambridge strategy, underpinned by a partnership with over 200 organisations and Charter Signatories and over 500 key stakeholders, aims to ensure that Cambridge’s science, innovation and business communities have what they need to be successful – maximising economic and social return and sharing that growth with the wider community and the UK.

The success of Innovate Cambridge to date, under the leadership of Tabitha Goldstaub, has enabled the organisation to secure funding for the next three years to take the organisation into a new phase of delivery and impact.

This includes nurturing people who will deliver pioneering discoveries; translating ideas into successful businesses; collaborating outside and within the region to amplify impact; and leading on sustainable, inclusive and green growth. Progress on the strategy will feature at the Innovate Cambridge Summit, which takes place in the city on October 23.

Chapman said: “The momentum and strong support for Innovate Cambridge, alongside its ambitious strategy co-developed by all stakeholders, provides a fabulous opportunity to further enhance Cambridge as a global innovation hub that benefits the world.

“I’ve spent eight years in the Cambridge innovation ecosystem and am very excited to lead Innovate Cambridge and mobilise the collective brilliance and energy of Cambridge to deliver real value across the city, region and the UK through innovation-driven economic growth.”

Diarmuid O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Cambridge and CEO of Cambridge Enterprise, said: “Kathryn is well known for her commitment to building Cambridge’s innovation ecosystem so that it can challenge the very best ecosystems around the world.

“As a research scientist herself and having spent the past 15+ years working in innovation, there is no better person to continue the work that has been started by Innovate Cambridge to support the exceptional businesses, large and small, that make up the Cambridge ecosystem.”

Michael Anstey, Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital, said Cambridge was at a critical phase of its global growth and influence. He commented: “As we gear up for the upcoming Innovate Cambridge summit and roll out the region's innovation strategy amidst a new trajectory for the UK, this is a remarkable opportunity for Kathryn to spearhead the initiative and amplify an environment that encourages groundbreaking discoveries, growth, and ambition.

“This is a crucial juncture for Cambridge and Kathryn's experience and determination will be instrumental in advancing growth throughout the region and the UK.”