Expertise

Ben is CEO of Innovation Catalyst Ltd and has over 20 years executive and non-executive experience working with and for higher education institutions, public and private sector organisations in leading and delivering research, innovation, commercial and economic development portfolios, functions and programmes. 

Ben held a number of senior leadership roles, including Director of Business and Enterprise at Northumbria University and Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Teesside University. Prior to this, Ben spent 10 years in the civil service, public and private sectors working in senior science, innovation, industry strategy, commercial and delivery roles.   

An economic geographer with a PhD from Newcastle University, Ben has published in peer review journals, secured research and knowledge exchange funding, and contributed to regional and national innovation and industrial policy. Ben supports a number of organisations in a professional capacity, including as a non-executive director of Knowledge Exchange UK, vice-chair at New College Durham and director of the Association of Technology Transfer Professionals.