Meet the team
Contact us so we can discuss how we can work together.
Innovation and business partnerships team
Dr Sue Baxter
Director of Innovation and Business Partnerships
Dr Sue Baxter is responsible for managing and developing research-based innovation and commercialisation services across the University. This includes leading the Innovation and Business Partnerships Team, responsibility for the University’s annual Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) budgets and institutional accountabilities under the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 872887
Email: sue.baxter@sussex.ac.uk
Follow Dr Sue Baxter on LinkedIn.
Kate Thorpe
Head of Business Partnerships
Kate leads the Business Partnerships team connecting partners with academics across the University to deliver impactful and innovative solutions to real world challenges. Contact Kate to discuss partnering opportunities including collaboration for contract research, consultancy services, Innovate UK funding including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and IP licencing
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 873664
Email: k.thorpe@sussex.ac.uk
Follow Kate Thorpe on LinkedIn.
Nora Davies
ESRC/AHRC Impact Acceleration Account External Partnerships Manager and ASPECT broker
Nora works with researchers to develop and deliver the impact from their work. Her focus is on building collaborative projects with external partners and bringing forward opportunities to exchange knowledge with research users.
Email: n.davies@sussex.ac.uk.
Dr Lorna Hards
ESRC IAA Project Manager
Dr Lorna Hards manages the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, a block grant to build capacity for knowledge exchange and impact at Sussex. The IAA offers support, skills development and funding for researchers to work with partners from all sectors.
Email: l.hards@sussex.ac.uk
Follow Dr Lorna Hards on LinkedIn.
Keith O'Brien
Intellectual Property Business Partner
Keith O’Brien manages and develops the University's innovation and intellectual property portfolio and supports the creation of opportunities leading to use and exploitation of research by external organisations, such as by licensing and spin-out company formation. Contact Keith if you have an intellectual property, technology transfer or licensing enquiry.
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 873579
Email: K.E.O-Brien@sussex.ac.uk
Follow Keith O'Brien on LinkedIn.
Anna Saunders
Intellectual Property Coordinator
Anna Saunders administers patent applications to protect the University’s intellectual property and non-disclosure agreements (NDA) to open up opportunities for partnerships in research and commercialisation. Contact Anna if you have an intellectual property or NDA enquiry.
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 873862
Email: A.C.Saunders@sussex.ac.uk.
Nile Amos
Business Partnerships Manager (Engineering & Informatics and Mathematical & Physical Sciences)
Nile supports impactful and innovative collaborations with organisations working with academics across the School of Engineering and Informatics and School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Nile can connect you with a range of engagement opportunities including contract research, consultancy services, Innovate UK funding including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and IP licencing.
Email: N.J.Amos@sussex.ac.uk.
Nick Bull
Business Partnerships Manager (BSMS & Life Sciences)
Nick supports impactful and innovative collaborations with business working with academics across the School of Life Sciences and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Nick can connect you with a range of engagement opportunities including contract research, consultancy services, Innovate UK funding including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and IP licencing.
Email: N.Bull@sussex.ac.uk.
Jo McKinney-Green
Consultancy Services Manager
Jo manages the University's consultancy services portfolio and provides support to business wishing to engage with academic consultants across all disciplines.
Email: J.Mckinney-Green@sussex.ac.uk.
Tom Wolfenden
Senior Knowledge Exchange Initiatives Manager
Tom provides programme and project support to the team managing the University’s innovation portfolio and generates new commercial leads, supports academics to engage with businesses and the public sector. Tom also provides support to the RISE programme.
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 873252
Email: T.Wolfenden@sussex.ac.uk.
Contact
Email us at: collaborate@sussex.ac.uk.