Oxford University Innovation has expanded its team further with the addition of Nicola Blackwood and Jonathan Flint as non-executive directors.
Oxford University Innovation (OUI), the tech transfer arm of University of Oxford, today named Nicola Blackwood and Jonathan Flint to its board as non-executive directors.
Blackwood was a UK member of parliament (MP) for Oxford West and Abingdon from 2010 to June 2017, and acted as a minister for public health and innovation from July 2016 until losing her seat in the general election.
During her time as MP, she also chaired the science and technology select committee, leading inquiries into a range of issues ranging from the science budget to big data and space. She also looked into how the UK science sector would be affected by Brexit.
Since June 2017, she has taken up positions as policy fellow at Public.io, which connects startups with the public sector, advisory board member at bioinformatics analysis company Eagle Genomics and board member at independent advocate Campaign for Science and Engineering.
Flint was the chief executive of the university’s first spinout, Oxford Instruments, a producer of technology tools and systems for research and industry.
He is the president elect of the Institute of Physics, a position he is set to take up from October 2019 and hold until September 2021. His curriculum vitae also includes managing director positions at businesses such as aerospace company BAE Systems and video technology firm Vislink.
Nigel Keen, chairman at Oxford University Innovation, said: “Nicola and Jonathan bring experience of the wider innovation community that will broaden the expertise available on the OUI board.
“Jonathan’s previous leadership roles in leading tech companies will be invaluable in mentoring and guiding Oxford spinouts, while Nicola brings unique insight into how to inform and influence policy around innovation.”
– Image courtesy of University of Oxford
