John Lonsdale will oversee a new enterprise services team at Edinburgh Innovations tasked with matters including oversight of a local scheme targeting the formation of 400 data-orientated startups.
John Lonsdale (pictured) has left his role as director of innovation and enterprise at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to become head of enterprise services at Edinburgh Innovations, the tech transfer office of University of Edinburgh.
Lonsdale heads a new team tasked with overseeing the TTO’s enterprise development activities, which includes generating spinouts and other businesses and licensing out university intellectual property (IP).
The appointment is also intended to support Edinburgh Innovation in its role leading the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) scheme, which aims to spur the formation of 400 data-orientated startups over the next 15 years.
DDI is part of a £1.3bn ($1.7bn) local economic development strategy known as the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. Edinburgh Innovations will oversee measures such as administering executive education programs and building the university’s links with commercial and public sector organisations.
Lonsdale had been with UCLan since 2007, steering projects including an overhaul of the institution’s knowledge transfer service and conducting doctoral research focused on academic entrepreneurship and other entrepreneurial ecosystems in universities.
He worked as a commercial, contract and marketing manager between 2003 and 2007 for UK government-owned nuclear technology services provider Nexia Solutions, now known as National Nuclear Laboratory, after spending a decade at boiler manufacturer BIB Cochran, then a division of engine and car producer Rolls-Royce.
Lonsdale said: “My immediate goals include seeking new potential across academic disciplines and venture types, expanding the IP portfolio and aligning our priorities with those of the DDI program.”
– Image courtesy of Edinburgh Innovations
