Elizabeth Flint

Experience

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  Alstom Power

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Materials Engineer

  I worked first as a design engineer and then as a materials engineer at Alstom. I worked mainly on advanced materials for gas turbines for the power generation industry. Projects included work on nickel-based superalloys, aerospace Ti and Al alloys, in-service degradation, failure investigations including microstructures and operating condition analysis, coatings for high temperature components, new test development, and effects of gas contamination on different alloy compositions

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  University of Leicester

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

  Research & Business Development Officer

  This was my transition from hands-on engineering into Knowledge Exchange. I worked at the interface between industry and academia. My role included negotiating contracts, identifying protecting and licensing IP, seeking funding, and developing collaborative projects.

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  Aberystwyth University

  Sept 2006 - May 2013

  I moved to Aberystwyth to run the University's part of a European funded ERDF project, the WISE Network. I was then promoted to become the Business Development Manager for Commercialisation and Consultancy Services (CCS), the commercial office of Aberystwyth University, and this role incorporated within it management of the project I had initially been recruited to deliver. My role involved developing and facilitating links between the University and the business world, leading and developing the business development team at Aberystwyth, and seeking funding for projects. I successfully delivered the WISE Network project to budget and target, and grew the Business Development team from 2 to 7 staff through successful funding bids. Show less

  • Director of Commercialisation and Consultancy Services

    Nov 2011 - May 2013

  • Assistant Director of Commercialisation and Consultancy Services

    Feb 2010 - Nov 2011

  • Business Development Manager

    Sept 2006 - Nov 2011
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  IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers)

  Jan 2008 - Oct 2013

  Member of Professional Review Committee

  As a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IMechE I believe it's important to support the institution. My contribution is to have served as a member of the PRC for over 5 years. PRC is the IMechE committee which carries out the final review of applications from candidates wishing to become CEng, IEng, or EngTech, at either Member or Fellow level.

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  PraxisUnico

  Feb 2010 - Oct 2013

  Deputy Chair, Training Committee

  PraxisUnico is an educational not-for-profit organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact.PraxisUnico encourages innovation and acts as a voice for the research commercialisation profession, facilitating the interaction between the public sector research base, business and government. PraxisUnico provides a forum for best practice exchange, underpinned by first-class training and development programmes. Show less

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  Innovate UK

  Jun 2013 - Apr 2017

  I formed and managed Innovate UK's team of Regional Managers. The team's role is to seek opportunities to align national innovation strategy and regional innovation strategy, and to work with regional stakeholders to the benefit of innovative companies. The team was formed to strengthen Innovate UK's presence around the UK to ensure we worked closely with our regional stakeholders. Meanwhile Innovate UK's Innovation Networks - Knowledge Transfer Network and Enterprise Europe Network are our business-facing teams across the country.https://innovateuk.blog.gov.uk/2016/05/19/to-the-regions-and-beyond/ Show less Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board.We fund, support and connect innovative businesses to accelerate sustainable economic growth.We’re an organisation of around 250 staff, drawn mainly from business and based in Swindon.Our responsibilities are to:- provide new support for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high-growth potential - make sure that government initiatives such as SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) attract innovative UK businesses and give companies access to important customers in the public sector - identify and invest in the sectors that have the greatest potential for innovation to speed up economic growth - help innovative companies work with their backers so their ideas can be developed commerciallyOur plans for 2014 to 2015 include: - launching more than 80 competitions for up to £536 million government funding, including our Smart and Launchpad competitions, in specific sectors such as energy, digital, health and care, and transport, and in new areas such as urban living and emerging technologies - developing our Knowledge Transfer Network and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme - helping UK business make the most of the innovation funding and opportunities in Europe such as Horizon 2020 - improving our customer services and application processes Show less In this role I was part of the Technology Strategy Board's Energy Team. My role was to focus on innovation and opportunities for UK business in 1) the sustainable use of fossil fuels, including carbon abatement technologies, and 2) Fuel Cells and Hydrogen.The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy.Two of the major issues facing the energy sector are the need to reduce costs and to develop the supply chain. The Technology Strategy Board can minimise risk and remove barriers to innovation in both these areas. Our investment is focused on opportunities for innovation in: identifying affordable, sustainable and secure sources of supply; integrating both demand and supply into a flexible and resilient energy system; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions at point of use. We have a growing, four-year programme of investment to help business develop technologies which can integrate future demand and energy supply into a flexible, secure and resilient energy system. It benefits from cross-over into other Technology Strategy Board programmes such as transport, the built environment and Future Cities.For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org Show less

  • Head of Cities and Regions

    Apr 2016 - Apr 2017

  • Head of Innovation Networks

    Jan 2015 - Apr 2016

  • Lead Technologist - Energy Generation and Supply

    Jun 2013 - Dec 2014
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  Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult

  May 2017 - Sept 2019

  The Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult supports industry's ability to exploit UK advancements in compound semiconductor technologies. Our objective is to bridge the gap between companies developing novel semiconductor materials and devices, and those developing systems for end-user applications.As part of the start-up team of the CSA Catapult, I have been responsible for the establishment of a strong structure and a high achieving Catapult team. Alongside the CEO (appointed in October 2017) and interim CBDO, I have developed our strategy and 5 year plan, and ensured approval of our 5-year, £50m+ budget. A key element of my role has been to establish and deliver sound governance, portfolio management and delivery management processes. This has required ensuring proper integration and prioritisation of resources to drive a focus on our strategic priorities as well as hiring, leading and motivating a strong team. My areas of responsibility include: Health & Safety, Facilities, Recruitment and Retention, Staff Development and Wellbeing, Governance and Compliance, Risk Management, Legal and IP, Capital Investment and Planning, Budget Management, Procurement Show less

  • Chief Operating Officer

    Feb 2018 - Sept 2019

  • Interim Chief Operations Officer

    May 2017 - Feb 2018
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  Flint Innovation

  Sept 2019 - now

  Founder

  www.flintinnovation.co.ukliz@flintinnovation.co.uk

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  Great CV

  Sept 2019 - Jan 2023

  Founder

  I've decided to wind down Great CV. I love helping people with their CVs but I simply don't have time as Flint Innovation has grown so fast. A shame, but we all only have a certain amount of time and we have to choose where to spend it. There's exciting Flint Innovation news coming soon - watch this space!

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  Team Fightback CiC

  Sept 2019 - Oct 2021

  Non Executive Director

  We have reluctantly wound up Team Fightback CIC due to the impact of Covid-19 on martial arts clubs around the country. We stand ready to get things moving again as soon as the clubs are on a sound footing and ready to support our veteransTeam Fightback CIC is a not-for-profit company which aims to support veterans with PTSD to overcome their issues through martial arts. Team Fightback CIC works with martial arts clubs around the UK, who offer free or discounted places to veterans. We provide support to the clubs and the veterans themselves, and work with other support organisations to ensure veterans are fully supported Show less

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  Brunel University London

  Dec 2019 - Jul 2021

  Chief Business and Innovation Officer

  I was responsible for all external engagement across the University. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, I was a key member of the 6-strong leadership team that steered the University through the Covid-19 crisis, and was a member of the Executive Board. Key AchievementsI developed and implemented the University’s new External Engagement, Innovation and Entrepreneurship strategy, including:• A new focus on delivering business skills development • A project to harmonise Brunel’s innovation offering to SMEs• A new emphasis on managing and growing Brunel’s external relationships in a proactive and strategic way• Harmonising and increasing internal training offer for staff and students Show less

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  Flint Innovation Ltd

  Aug 2022 - now

  Director

  www.flintinnovation.co.ukliz@flintinnovation.co.ukWe’re Flint Innovation, and we're here to help you thrive, whether you're a University, an RTO, a Government body or a business.We are also part of the delivery team for Help to Grow: Management https://smallbusinesscharter.org/help-to-grow-management/ Our track record has been built at the interface of Government, academia, and industry, and we speak your language and those of your partners.We're on a mission to improve business support for neurodivergent business leaders - announcement coming soon!FOR UNIVERSITIESHow do you plan for innovation? What does strategy mean in a Research, Innovation & Engagement environment? How do you develop new collaborations and win buy-in? How are you training your academic staff and your KE team?FOR THE PUBLIC SECTORAre enough businesses starting and growing in your region? What more could you be doing to drive economic development through innovation and business starts?​How confident are the businesses in your region in adopting new technologies?​Do your teams really understand innovation, or is it just a word they use?​How well connected are the business support services in your region? What about connections to the wider support ecosystem?​FOR BUSINESSESHow confident are you identifying and deploying new technology in your business?​Are you crystal clear about your value proposition to your customers? How do you test new ideas?​Are you ready to grow, with an understanding of how to deal with your barriers to growth?​We have many years experience working in the areas above, and can help you to succeed and thrive. We also have experienced mentors and NEDs, and we will work with you to solve problems and optimise your organisation. Show less