About me:
Role

Jim joined the Universty of Exeter in 2008. He is currently Head of Business Development, Cornwall where he has managed teams delivering business-facing collaborative projects worth over £40 million, working with businesses and other stakeholders to access knowledge and expertise within the University.

Jim is energy and marine technology sector lead for the University’s multi-disciplinary approach to the development of research activities in all aspects of energy technologies and marine technology. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Marine-i project in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly a £15 million programme of business-focussed research, development and innovation.

He has been a member of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP's Employment & Skills Board 2014-2020, and is a current member of the Cornwall Digital Skills Partnership. He is also a member of the Society for Underwater Technology’s Marine Renewable Energy Committee.

Prior to joining the University of Exeter, Jim spent ten years in the oil and gas sector, working for a research agency as Technology Transfer Manager which generated over £80 million of industry and Higher Education Institution (HEI) collaborative research and development.

He has also set up and ran a European university association in marine technology to work alongside major European shipbuilding and shipping interests, designed to exploit European Union research opportunities. Jim spent seven years working for Plymouth University; in this role he was responsible for knowledge transfer across their marine portfolio.

He is passionate about the role of renewable energy in the drive towards net zero. He has an MBA and is particularly interested in business development and especially the development of circular business practice and the associated skills development.