The Innovators’ Assembly Speakers 2020
Global Landscape
Prof Richard Herrington, Head of Earth Sciences, the Natural History Museum
Richard is a researcher investigating the behaviour of metals critical for our modern economy in earth systems, specifically metals concentrated by deep weathering processes in surface systems. Projects include looking at cobalt and rare earth metals in particular. Other interests include investigating the links between mineral deposit formation and the earths geodynamic history and the association of mineral deposit formation and biota in the deep ocean. Through collaboration with industry and the results of his research, he provides new information enabling better and more sustainable mining techniques for consideration.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Richard enlightens us about aspects of rare earth element availability, supply chain considerations for manufacturers using REEs, and innovations in mining.
John Patsavellas, Experienced CCO and Senior Lecturer in Manufacturing, Cranfield University
An experienced C-suite director/MD with a large portfolio of success, strategically shaping multi-national businesses, his motivational style of engagement morphs the right blend of people and technologies into sustainable growth realities. In his academic role he is a leading advocate and influencer of high supply chain-performance, and his pioneering research is looking at the carbon footprint of the Cloud.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, John lets us in on the “dirty secret” of the Cloud and of digitisation, offering valuable advice to manufacturers and any businesses that generate considerable volume of data.
Stephen Potter, Emeritus Professor, The Open University
Stephen’s research has included exploring the human and institutional aspects of transport innovation, the diffusion of cleaner vehicle technologies, low carbon transport systems and more sustainable travel behaviours. He has undertaken work in several applied research project teams on smart cities and transport including the Milton Keynes Plugged in Places programme, the £16m smart grids Project Falcon with Western Power Distribution and the £16m HEFCE funded MK:SMART. He is presently part of an industry-led £3m Innovate UK project exploring the viability of on-street wireless charging infrastructure for EVs.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Stephen discusses the systemic landscape of unfolding technologies in transportation globally, and the social factors that can play such a pivotal role in their adoption.
National Landscape
Jon Saltmarsh, Deputy Director Engineering and Research, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Jon has a successful track record in trans-Atlantic business development, strategic planning and general management, achieved by developing close relationships with the key players within industry and governments. Possessing a rare blend of excellent technical insight, central government and industry experience and commercial acumen, John finds practical solutions to difficult problems and develops profitable new business from novel technology or concepts.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Jon discusses the trends in energy demand and progress in decarbonising supply, all in the UK in the context of the ambitious 2050 net zero target.
Paul Noonan, MD, Latrigg Technology
Paul is a creative and rigorous problem solver with excellent communication, coaching, motivating and engineering management skills. Particular technical expertise in cryogenics and superconductivity.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Paul candidly discusses the technology challenges in the production of energy via Fusion, and lessons learned from his extensive experience leading research teams on long term projects.
Keith Freegard, Co-Founder of Axion, experienced advisor and thought leader in plastics recycling
Keith is an experienced Director in the materials resource recovery industry with a proven history of delivering results in Business Development, having led successful start-ups of new businesses in packaging and recycling sector. Now working as a Plastics Recycling Industry Consultant, working on projects from technology assessment to business strategy for a more sustainable materials policy, he brings a wealth of knowledge in Sustainability, Plastics, Metals, Environmental Awareness, and Renewable Resources. He has held respected senior positions in British Plastics Federation and Non-Exec for OPRL packaging label organisation.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Keith discusses the current state of plastics recycling in the UK, how it’s been influenced by external change, and the goals for 2030.
Organisational Landscape
Mark Sorsa-Leslie, CO-Founder and CEO of Beringar
Mark qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1994 working in Aberdeenshire Council and Chesterton. In 2001, he found Open Era Systems, one of the UK’s first online property management systems companies gaining clients including BNP Paribas Real Estate. After eight years in Finland running a VC-backed start-up, he returned to form Beringar with Co-founder Paul Byrne. The vision – to take the real estate industry to the next level using the power of IoT.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Mark will discuss the application of sensor technology for surveying the human occupation of buildings and how they may be of use in the management of social distancing.
Dr Clive Savory, Senior Lecturer in Innovation Management, Cranfield University
Clive is a creative and innovative practitioner, balancing teaching, academic research and direct involvement with industry. Having a wealth of expertise in the strategic management of innovation processes across many sectors, Clive’s research into technological innovation has focused upon user-centred innovation processes, especially those spanning the public and private sectors. One important theme is the adoption and diffusion of innovations into practice that trigger the transformation of services. Another is the role of the wider innovation eco-system in supporting successful development, adoption and diffusion.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Clive will discuss how external disruption can prompt business model innovation.
Elvin Turner, Innovation & Culture Advisor, ETA Ltd
Elvin Turner is an innovation expert and author, and delivers on innovation, entrepreneurship and marketing for MBA and executive education programmes. His clients include organisations in the finance, technology, music, drinks and publishing industries. Elvin has coached hundreds of innovation initiatives around the world, helping leaders and managers overcome the barriers that they face when trying to turn new ideas into action. His has worked with new and disruptive technology start-ups, through to seasoned leadership teams inside conservative, global institutions.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Elvin discusses the barriers to innovation in high tech firms, and some important routes for overcoming them.
Individual Landscpe
Dave Wardle, MD, Rewyred, Industrial innovation and growth expert
Dave is an industrial innovation and growth expert who is passionate about innovation and early business development, and who enjoys turning ideas into commercial reality. Having been a prolific innovator in his early career, Dave now specialises in business development (turning technologies into enterprises), innovation as a process, low carbon energy, hydrogen energy, hydrogen generation, clean fuels, fuel cells, catalysts, government lobbying, fund raising, industrial gases, cryogenics, licensing, negotiating agreements and energy storage.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Dave shares what he has learned over his career about what makes a high performing innovation team.
Val Abl, Organisational and People Development Specialist
Valerie’s OD experience spans start–ups, business process change, new technology implementation and strategic business development initiatives, supporting SME’s, Corporate, Central Government, Local Government, Charity and Social Enterprises.
Valerie is a pioneering spirit in the field of transformational organisational change, coaching next-generation business leaders to ride the waves of uncertainty and helping their business to thrive amid disruptive change. She deploys a powerful blend of creative thinking techniques and social technology tools that foster collaborative working relationships, enhancing the organisation’s capacity to embrace diversity and to be resilient.
In this interview with our facilitator Siobhan Soraghan, Val gives us insights into novel organisational structures of the future.
Siobhan Soraghan, Founder of Active Insight and the Innovation Network facilitator
Siobhan Soraghan is the architect behind Active Insight and the Innovation Network. She designs inclusive processes for strategy formulation and acts as a confidential advisor to CEOs keen to harness the collective wisdom of their management teams. Her intellectual rigor, gained in an early career as a research scientist, combines with rich psychological insight from decades as a top-level executive coach, and is underpinned by business savvy from a top-flight MBA. Having a natural passion for innovation, she is particularly experienced in working with bright professionals holding senior positions within organisations where intellectual capital is key to the value proposition.
Siobhan will be interviewed by Network member Derek Bates of Materials Technology, and share highlights from the Assembly, along with insights for leaders and innovators on moving boldly forward in these unusual times.