About Us

The regional Science and Industry Council, known as East Midlands Innovation was launched in December 2004, following extensive consultation by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) with regional businesses and public sector partner organisations.

The Council operates through a Director, Dr Martin French with responsibility is to lead the development of the East Midlands Innovation Strategy and Action Plan – the aim of which is to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy. The Regional Innovation Strategy and Action Plan was launched in November 2006.

The plan identifies evidence based priority areas for investment by emda, allowing the Agency to target its resources more effectively where there is the opportunity to make the greatest impact, or where there is evidence of market failure. The Council will continue to work closely with emda to pro-actively commission projects that contribute to the delivery of the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan and give this agenda the drive and impetus it needs to succeed.

The Council is business-led and has a membership as follows:

Mr. Barry Stickings CBE –Chair (East Midlands Innovation)
Prof. Philip Tasker – Vice Chancellor (De Montfort University )
Prof. Phil Ruffles CBE FRS – Former Director of Engineering & Technology (Rolls-Royce Plc)
Mr. Mike Carr – Executive Director of Business Services (emda)
Mr. Paul Atkinson –  Director (Atkinson Design Consultants Ltd)
Dr. Carl Edwards – Director (NHS Innovations East Midlands)
Mr. Robin Southgate – former Technical Director (Northern Foods)
Dr. Frank Burdett – Pro VC R&D Development (University of Northampton)
Prof. Chris Rudd – Dean of Engineering (University of Nottingham)
Mr. David Wallace – International and Innovation Director (emda)
Dr. Gordon France – Vice President, Strategy and Development Group (Astrazeneca Plc)
Prof. Ron McCaffer – Former Director of Business Partnerships (Loughborough University)
Mr. Graham Mulholland – Managing Director (EPM Technology Ltd)
Dr. Dave Clarke (E.ON Engineering)