TenU Appoints New President

TenU, the collaboration of leading UK, US and mainland European technology transfer organisations, has appointed Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, as its new president. Andrew takes over the role from Anne Lane, CEO of UCL’s technology transfer company UCLB.

New TenU President Andrew Wilkison, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory

TenU comprises the technology transfer organisations of the Universities of Cambridge (UK), Columbia (USA), Edinburgh (UK), Imperial College London (UK), Leuven (Belgium), Manchester (UK), MIT (USA), Stanford (USA), Oxford (UK), and University College London (UK). The informal group has the objective of capturing and sharing insights and best practice in the area of University IP commercialisation. TenU works closely with government, the early-stage technology investment community and licensees to create an environment that supports the translation of high-impact academic research into successful spinout companies and valuable intellectual property (IP).

“I am very excited about taking over the presidency and building on the fantastic work done by Anne and our other TenU colleagues. TenU provides an invaluable informal platform to understand how national governments, investors and the Universities can collaborate together more effectively to ensure that the fantastic research from our world-leading institutions can create positive social, economic, and environmental impact.  Having members from the UK, the USA and mainland Europe enables us to identify the differences and similarities between the approaches we all take to IP commercialisation and dispel some of the misunderstandings about the way things are done and challenges in different geographies,” said Andrew.

In 2023 TenU is rolling out a fantastic program of events and reports, which will continue to support closer collaboration and understanding between all those involved in the translation of innovative University research into new businesses and IP.

Anne added: “Research commercialisation and knowledge transfer has an enormous role to play in answering the most significant global challenges we all share, like climate change and improving our healthcare. TenU’s members, across the UK, EU and USA, have a shared opportunity to do this in a way that creates growth and prosperity by offering best-in-class support to outstanding researchers. During my presidency, I have been proud to see this forum go from strength to strength, and I know Andrew will continue to build on its value as its new President.”

Former TenU President Anne Lane, CEO of UCL Business, at a public TenU event in May 2022 next to Paul Van Dun, Managing Director of KU Leuven R&D.