In my role as Innovation Adviser with the Enterprise Europe Network, I work with businesses to explore their innovation potential. Using design methodologies I aim to facilitate the development of well researched, considered ideas, products and services. I then help to identify how they can maximize this ability and seek R&D partnerships in European markets. The Enterprise Europe Network North West consists of a team of professional advisers and personnel providing practical support for companies, universities and research centres. The network offers support and advice to businesses throughout Europe and assists to capitalise on all relevant opportunities in the European Union and beyond. Services are available to businesses, research centres and universities across Europe.The Enterprise Europe Network now spans 51 countries and consists of nearly 600 partner organisations promoting competitiveness and innovation at the local level, in Europe and beyond.

In this role I developed and managed the Innovation Cells programme where small informal groups were formed to explore and develop ideas and opportunities and generate solutions to real-world challenges.Innovation Cells provided a platform for multi-disciplinary creative problem solving using a facilitated approach. This helped break down barriers, encourage creativity and stimulate ideas. This programme was run internally as well as externally as part of our Open Innovation Challenge Series.As part of our Open Innovation Challenge Series I also project managed a series of Cells externally. I had an ongoing series of Innovation Cells which tackled real business needs by forming mixed Cell’s with both external industry and internal expertise.

My role in the Design and Innovation Research Group at the University of Salford included me working on research projects examining design, design process, innovation and new product development. I conducted an EPSRC research study called Telegenesis - a collaborative project working with Cranfield & Loughborough Universities aimed at providing future scenarios for distributed design teams in the Aerospace, Construction & Product Designsectors.