3M BIC appoints new CEO

THE former Executive Head of Economic Services at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has become the new CEO of the University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC).

Sue Cooke brings with her a wealth of enterprise, strategy and academic experience.  Over the last nine years, she has led the development and delivery of LEP services in the Leeds City Region, including skills and employment, business growth and competitiveness, and more recently trade and inward investment.

She succeeds Professor Liz Towns-Andrews as CEO, who masterminded the 3M BIC.  Professor Towns-Andrews is stepping down to focus on her role within the University.

Sue Cooke has enjoyed success in a number of previous roles include directing strategy, policy and operations for Business Link West Yorkshire, managing key business relationships for Kirklees Council and delivering consultancy projects.  She has also taught business strategy on MBA programmes at business schools across the region, including at the University of Huddersfield.

The 3M BIC was one of the UK’s first business innovation centres and it has helped break down barriers between academia and industry over the last six years, allowing the transfer of knowledge and giving businesses access to growth support, research facilities and advanced technologies.

The new CEO’s remit will be to strengthen the Centre’s existing business support services and links to the University’s schools, help increase awareness levels and SME engagement, as well as expand its innovation and technical offerings.

“Innovation is at the heart of the 3M BIC,” said Sue Cooke, “and I want to build on its existing innovation strengths to help attract more businesses, not just from the Leeds City Region, but from across the UK and internationally.  My vision is to forge a dynamic eco-system of innovation and enterprise expertise at the 3M BIC, building on the University of Huddersfield’s growing international reputation for impactful research in collaboration with business.

“Our aim is to be inspiring, innovative and international and I’m looking forward to working with the team at the 3M BIC to make that happen.”

Professor Liz Towns-Andrews influenced the build of the 3M BIC and had a vision to create a hub that provided the key ingredients businesses needed to grow and thrive.  She will continue in her role as Director of Research and Enterprise at the University and will maintain her position on the board of the 3M BIC.

Professor Towns-Andrews said: “Since the 3M BIC’s conception six years ago, universities are now using it as a blueprint to replicate innovation centres on their own campuses.  In order to remain competitive and attractive to businesses, it’s imperative that we move the centre forward and constantly improve its offering and services for businesses.

“I have every confidence that Sue, with her background in strategy, enterprise and skills, will help grow the 3M BIC into the leading innovation centre in the region and beyond.”