Catherine has many years of experience of working at the interface between academia and the commercial world, building partnerships and programmes across that interface.
She has led and supported high performing teams working in the knowledge exchange sphere, and is passionate about the impact that can be generated through external collaboration and commercialisation of research.
Prior to joining the University, Catherine worked in the pharmaceutical industry, initially for AstraZeneca in drug discovery and later moved into pharmaceutical development, leading programmes to develop and implement novel technologies for API synthesis and manufacture with Avecia. Her research training and background is in synthetic organic chemistry, where Catherine has delivered research projects at the universities of Manchester, Oxford, Nottingham and Leeds.
Catherine also leads Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange in the University, overseeing the University’s extensive portfolio of business partnerships and alliances.
She joined the Innovation Factory in March 2024 as long-term interim CEO, supported by Deputy CEO, Roisin McCallion. Andrew Wilkinson, former CEO, continues to provide advice and strategic guidance to the Innovation Factory’s Board and management team.
University of Manchester Innovation Factory Limited® (Company No. 05177409). The registered address is Core Technology Facility, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9NT. University of Manchester Innovation Factory Limited acts solely as agent for the University in relation to any matter relating to intellectual property ("IP") and know how created at the University. This is whether such IP is created by employees, students or others. University of Manchester Innovation Factory Limited does not represent anyone else in such matters. If anyone else requires advice in relation to such IP then they must take their own independent legal advice.