Member Article

New North East LEP Innovation Board chair announced

Professor Alan Lowdon has been announced as the successor to Professor Roy Sandbach as the Chair of the North East LEP’s Innovation Board.

Alan, who has been on the board since October 2014, will draw on his 30 years’ experience in the energy and utilities markets working with multinationals like Shell and British Gas as he and the Innovation Board look to drive innovation and economic growth in the region.

The move comes after previous incumbent Roy Sandbach becomes Director of the National Centre for Ageing Science and Innovation (NASI).

Commenting on his new role, Alan said: “Innovation is just one part of the spectrum of activity which is carried out at the North East LEP as it works to create more and better jobs for the region.

“In terms of innovation in manufacturing, energy and transport, the North East set the bar and we have a legacy of innovation which other UK regions simply don’t have.

“The role of the North East LEP Innovation Board is to build on this legacy, giving people the opportunity to flourish and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas of business and helping to match finance with innovation to allow new ideas to go from concept to commercialisation.”

The innovation board meets several times a year and brings together figures from business and industry in the North East on a voluntary basis to support innovation in the region.

One of its biggest upcoming initiatives is the Innovation Observatory at Durham University, which has been developed in conjunction with Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland Universities, to help identify innovation patterns and trends, promote good practice and seal more opportunities for North East firms on a global scale.

Touching upon the Innovation Observatory, Alan added: “I’ve spent a lot of time outside the region during my career and it’s rewarding to be able to bring my experiences and learning back to the North East.

“I’m looking forward to moving forward with the next phase of the Innovation Board’s work, which will include the development of the Innovation Observatory at Durham University.”