Invited Speaker: Phil Cooper

Impact Driven Knowledge Transfer - Experiences of Meeting the Needs of Business and Universities

Abstract

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a national science and technology laboratory that – like HEIs – plays a key role in the UK’s national innovation infrastructure.

NPL Knowledge Services delivers a growing range of Knowledge Transfer activity, from running the National Measurement Network as part of the National Measurement System, parts of two Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) for the Technology Strategy Board, a research and technology membership network: the Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (AIRTO), as well as delivering part of the University of Surrey’s EPSRC funded Knowledge Transfer Account.

Phil will talk about NPL’s distinctive position and approach to Knowledge Transfer and how NPL delivers impact for both business and Universities.

Pen Picture

Phil is responsible for NPL’s Innovation Networks as well as being a Director of the Electronics, Sensors, Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network (ESP KTN). He ran the Sensors & Instrumentation KTN from NPL, bringing together a community of over 2,300 member organisations, including SME technology companies, large company end-users, academics and entrepreneurs.

Prior to joining NPL Phil was responsible for setting up the knowledge transfer function at London Metropolitan University, helping to grow £8m of new knowledge transfer business annually. Notable successes include setting up and leading the £2m Emerald Pre-Commercial Fund, a partnership of eight London universities, and starting the Accelerator Business Incubator in Shoreditch, East London. Phil started his career at Nestlé Rowntrees as a Graduate Management Trainee, before setting up and running two successful small companies. He has degrees from Loughborough University (BA Hons Design & Technology) and the University of Stirling (MSc Entrepreneurial Studies) and is an elected member of the Institute of Knowledge Transfer Board.