Wilkinson signs up to UMI3

University of Manchester yesterday appointed Andrew Wilkinson (pictured), currently the head of its 2D material product department, Graphene Enabled Systems (GES), as CEO of its UMI3 tech transfer office (TTO), Business Cloud reported yesterday.
Wilkinson will take the position in January 2019, overseeing UMI3’s efforts to ramp up the quality and quantity of its intellectual property output. He also hopes to further strengthen the TTO’s relationships with academic staff, industry, investors, funding bodies and the government.
Wilkinson succeeds Clive Rowland, who will move on next month to become Manchester’s vice-president for intellectual property matters.
GES took Wilkinson on in April 2016 and he has overseen the creation of university graphene spinouts such as Atomic Mechanics, also representing Manchester’s innovations in the field as a university director.
Wilkinson came to GES from electrical product supplier Somomec, where he had been regional managing director for North America and the British Isles for three years, after two years as managing director for the company’s UK electrical equipment business.
“The launch of successful university spinout business and the licensing of university IP creates significant economic and social impact,” Wilkinson said.
“Building on the excellent work that UMI3 has already achieved, I intend to evolve the organisation to meet the opportunities and challenges the university will face in the coming years.”
Luke Georghiou, deputy president and deputy vice-chancellor at University of Manchester, added: “Andrew has a strong track record of developing hugely successful spinout companies from some of the world-class research carried out by our academics.
“He will be an important driving force in effecting the step-change we are planning, to create the economic impact, jobs and social benefits which are an important contribution from the university to our city and nation.”
Photo of Andrew Wilkinson courtesy of GES.