Prof Mark Jefferies CEng FIMechE FRAeS AFAIAA RTTPChief of University Partnerships & Policy, Rolls-Royce GroupAccountable for leading the overall effectiveness, delivery, and strategic development of key academic research partnerships for the Rolls-Royce Group. This includes the Company’s highly successful and worldwide network of University Technology Centres, engaging hundreds of academics & researchers and over 500 Doctorate students at any one time. These partnerships with leading universities enable a critical mass of collaborative research, developing the fundamental technology, skills, and tools essential to Rolls-Royce’s global business whilst maintaining scientific excellence.Mark is a senior leader in the Rolls-Royce Future Technologies group, with extensive experience in leading and developing complex industry-academic partnerships. He represents and speaks on behalf of the Company on matters relating to scientific and engineering collaboration between industry and academia.A Chartered Engineer, he has over 30 years industrial experience, originally specialising in gas turbine combustion, working on in-service projects, and leading multiple research programmes to improve the environmental performance of gas turbine propulsion. These include successful UK, European, and US collaborative research projects involving industry, academia, and Government stakeholders. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.Mark is an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University, and an Industrial Fellow at the University of Bristol.