The Henry Royce Institute (Royce) is delighted to announce three new Directors to its Governing Board (GB), strengthening the focus on accelerating translation of materials innovation. The GB provides strategic oversight to ensure Royce delivers significant impact for the UK in the field of advanced materials research.
Commenting on the new appointments, Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Royce Chair said:
“I am delighted to welcome these new Non-Executive Directors to our Governing Board. They combine a fantastic blend of industrial, scientific and commercial expertise and will work with us to support delivery of the Royce vision of advanced materials for a sustainable society, including ensuring that we fully optimise the investment in Royce’s cutting-edge facilities for the benefit of the UK.”
The new Royce GB Directors are:
Dr Tony Raven FInstP MIoD
Dr Tony Raven is the former Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise, with over 30 years experience of start-up company management. He was the inventor behind the formation of Summit Technology, the Boston-based market leader in laser refractive surgery, and a co-founder of Sagentia Group plc, a technical and management consultancy based in Cambridge, UK. In 1991 he founded Diomed Inc, the pioneer and world leader in therapeutic medical diode lasers. Prior to Cambridge Enterprise, Tony held the Directorship of Research and Innovation Services at the University of Southampton for 10 years, during which time he established Southampton’s reputation as a leading entrepreneurial university creating a portfolio of 11 spin-out companies, of which four were listed on the London Stock Exchange. Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a member of the Institute of Directors.
Dr Liz Rowsell OBE CChem FRSC
Dr Liz Rowsell is the Corporate R&D Director for Johnson Matthey plc. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List for her services to Chemistry, Commercialisation and Promoting Diversity in STEM. Liz joined the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre in 1993 as a Research Scientist working in Biomedical Research where the focus was the development of metal-based medicines. In 2000 Liz became manager of the Liquid Phase Catalysis Group looking at the development of platinum group metals (PGMs) homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for use in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry. In 2004 Liz moved into the development of new technologies based on the properties of PGMs. During her career Liz has worked on technologies in low temperature catalysis, thermochemical biomass processing, mercury removal from gas streams, and new materials for energy production. In her role Liz is now responsible for delivering cross sector science to support JM’s vision of creating a cleaner and healthier world. Key focus areas are developing catalyst solutions for: hydrogen production and use, conversion of renewable feedstocks to fuels and chemicals, and in the abatement of harmful gaseous emissions.
Dr Kirsty Salmon
Dr Kirsty Salmon is bp’s Vice-President for advanced bio and physical sciences for low carbon energy. She is leading bp’s Biosciences Team in San Diego, a chemistry team at the low-carbon innovation center at Hull, and a chemistry team at the Dalian Institute of Chemistry and Physics which are all focused on early-stage low-carbon technology development and fundamental science research. Kirsty joined bp in 2011 as the Head of Research for the bp Biofuels Global Technology Center that focused on the development of a GEN2 lignocellulosic ethanol platform. She completed her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and her postdoctoral research in microbial physiology at UCLA. Prior to working at bp, Kirsty held positions as the Director of Renewable Fuels at Verdezyne, Inc. and a faculty research position at UC Irvine.
About the Royce Governing Board
The Royce Governing Board, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gregson, provides oversight to ensure that the Henry Royce Institute delivers significant impact for UK plc aligned with its four mission pillars:
- Enabling national materials research, collaboration, foresighting and strategy
- Providing access to world-leading facilities and research expertise
- Catalysing industrial collaboration and accelerating translation
- Fostering materials science skills development, innovation training and outreach
-ends-
