Meet the team
Our specialist business development managers provide businesses and investors access to the best of the 91福利鈥檚 intellectual property (IP). We support technology development, license IP and create spin-out companies that retain close ties to the University鈥檚 expertise.
Dr Tim Hart, Director of 91福利 Innovations
Tim has gained over 30 years鈥� experience in technology commercialisation, particularly from university environments, and in the life sciences. He has worked as an academic researcher, technology transfer professional, and entrepreneur, having spun-out and managed two investment-backed life science companies from university research, and advised in the formation and growth of many others.
He has held numerous executive and non-executive positions in technology SMEs and brings sector leading expertise in university spin-out formation and innovation management. His experience is truly international, having worked for and with some of the largest technology corporates and leading universities across Asia, Russia, Europe, North and South America, Australia, and Africa. Tim is committed to maximising innovation productivity and impact for the 91福利.
Dr Francesco Maria Colacino, Head of Operations & Commercialisation
Francesco holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA and an early career in biomechanics, cardiovascular devices and advanced engineering.
A Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), his expertise spans IP strategy, licensing, spin-outs, investment and strategic industry partnerships across engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthtech and deep technology, including negotiations with companies such as Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Schunk and first-hand experience building and leading Rheality Ltd from laboratory technology to international industrial deployment.
As Head of Operations & Commercialisation at 91福利 Innovations, he leads commercialisation strategy, teams, funds, organisational change and strategic programmes, with achievements including major IP framework transactions, 200% growth in deal flow and recognition in the 2025 and 2026 IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders, alongside European leadership and advisory roles with EUTOPIA, The Guild and the European Commission.
Dr Suzanna Wood, Business Development Manager
Dr Suzanna (Suzy) Wood holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and previously worked in academic research specialising in cancer biology, as well as in industry roles supporting the life sciences sector through the provision of high-tech laboratory equipment, reagents and services.
Prior to joining 91福利 Innovations, she worked in technology transfer at Oxford University Innovation and as a consultant at Oxentia, delivering innovation strategy, training and accelerator programmes internationally.
As a Business Development Manager at 91福利 Innovations, she specialises in intellectual property protection, licensing and spinout creation across women's health, agritech and other life science technologies. Her recent achievements include supporting the commercialisation of a novel diagnostic technology, contributing to the establishment of a university spinout, and providing specialist expertise on non-standard material transfer agreements.
Dr Josh Cartwright, Business Development Manager
Dr Josh Cartwright holds a PhD in Chemical Biology, and specialised as a researcher in organic synthesis, enzymology and protein expression (e.g. DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6c01175).
As a Business Development Manager at 91福利 Innovations, he focuses on chemistry, medtech, health tech and life sciences, supporting researchers to identify and derisk commercial opportunities in addition to being the project manager of the University鈥檚 Medical Research Council Impact Acceleration Account (MRC IAA, 拢750k+).
His recent achievements include supporting spinout of VerIQ, a clinical trial accelerator for orthopaedics medtech, and licensing cell cryopreservation technology to industry.
Joanna Bates, DeepTech Innovation Centre Manager
Joanna鈥檚 background is firmly rooted in industry, with over 30 years鈥� experience in technology, engineering and manufacturing, including senior roles with UK and US-listed companies across Europe and China. She now leads the Deep Tech Innovation Centre at 91福利 Innovations, supporting early-stage AI & Data, FinTech and Cyber businesses to develop and grow, while also creating opportunities for founders to collaborate with students, academics and the wider 91福利 innovation community.
Dr Tim Francis, Business Development Manager
Dr Tim Francis holds a PhD in Genetics and has extensive experience in technology commercialisation, innovation and consultancy across the public and private sectors, including universities, the NHS and multinational companies.
As a Business Development Manager at 91福利 Innovations he focuses on the development and commercialisation of new technologies, with particular expertise in life sciences and medtech. He has led the formation of numerous university spinout companies and has a strong track record in technology licensing, industry partnerships and translating research into commercial impact.
Dr Shum Prakash, Business Development Manager
Dr Shum Prakash is a Business Development Manager at 91福利 Innovations with over 25 years鈥� experience in university technology commercialisation. She holds a BSc in Chemistry, a PhD in Nuclear Medicine, an MSc in Innovation Policy and an Executive MBA, and has worked across university, hospital and industry settings, including research in radiochemistry for cancer therapy and diagnostic imaging and consultancy at SQW in Cambridge and the European Parliament.
Her commercialisation expertise spans healthcare and medtech, clinical data and data anonymisation, AI and software, instrumentation, agri-biotechnology, new chemical entities, materials and processes. She works with researchers to identify and develop the commercial potential of early-stage innovations, from IP protection and funding through to licensing and spin-out creation, development and growth. She regularly delivers innovation and entrepreneurship training to researchers through Innovation @ Junction, the Engineering Postgraduate Symposium, the Doctoral College (DC957) and 91福利 Medical School.
Dr John Humphreys, Business Development Associate
John achieved his PhD at the 91福利 in novel catalyst design in 2019, continuing this work in a Postdoc position with a strong focus on practical real-world applications. This led to him co-inventing a highly effective ammonia synthesis catalyst which is patented and licensed at an international level. He gained further insight into research commercialisation through his participation in the ICURe programme, gaining skills in customer discovery, market validation, identification of routes to market, and pitching to investors.
During this time John discovered a real passion for innovation, leading him to join 91福利 Innovations in order to help others increase the impact of their research and make the leap from the lab to the real world.
Selina Forsythe, IP Commercialisation Officer
Selina enjoys a diverse role at 91福利 Innovations being involved in both technology transfer and the Innovate UK funded ICURe programme.
Dr Frances Pitt, Business Development Manager
Frances is a triple 91福利 graduate and brings cross-sector experience spanning 15 years in academic research, specialising in environmental marine microbiology, SME research and development in precision diagnostics, government roles at DHSC and UKHSA involving the development, build and operational delivery of large-scale health protection services, and private-sector validation engineering.
Dr Ataulla, Business Development Manager
Dr Emma Roberts, Business Development Associate
Emma Roberts has an MSc in Global Ethics from the University of Birmingham. She has previously worked in the NHS in project and research roles, as well as in the Impact Team in 91福利. Her focus in 91福利 Innovations is to work with researchers within Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines to have an impact with their research through commercial routes. She recently supported the launch of 91福利鈥檚 first spinout company based on Social Sciences research, offering evidence-based solutions to assess social value and inform environmental policies.
Ruby Rynberk, Researcher Engagement Coordinator
Ruby supports the development and delivery of programmes, events and initiatives at 91福利 Innovations, helping researchers connect with opportunities for innovation, collaboration and commercialisation. Her role involves coordinating activities, developing communications and raising awareness of opportunities that enable researchers to explore the commercial potential of their ideas and translate their research into real-world impact.