Paul Halliday

Local Innovation Connector – Tameside

Vastly experienced, Paul has supported over 500 businesses of varying sizes and sectors over the past 20-plus years, across Tameside and the wider Greater Manchester area – helping them to unblock R&D barriers and speed up their time to market.

As such, he has a tremendous ability to quickly grasp the issues impacting on growth potential and identify tangible, realistic and innovative solutions that drive the business forward – whether that’s establishing access to research, knowledge transfer, expertise and facilities, or innovation funding targeted at accelerating commercialisation

Paul has worked with a range of industries at board level – covering, but certainly not limited to, advanced manufacturing and materials, digital and creative, green tech, and life sciences – carrying out holistic reviews and diagnostics, and pinpointing improvement opportunities that add real value to the business and its bottom line. His myriad projects have included new product development, new market development, business process improvement, collaboration and partnering, and business diversification.

As well as being an SFEDI-accredited business advisor, Paul holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and postgraduate qualifications in Finance and Accounting,

He says: “I help companies in Tameside that are working with emerging technologies to take things off the backburner and put them on the frontburner! Having worked with any number of cutting-edge businesses, connecting them with the right solutions for their specific challenges, I can safely say that Innovation Navigator is the ideal catalyst for taking ideas forward, overcoming issues, and bringing new products and services to market.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-halliday-848a9630/

Mark Tibbenham CEng

Local Innovation Connector – Rochdale

An award-winning business leader and entrepreneur, Mark was formerly Chairman and Managing Director of a Rochdale manufacturing company for 18 years, acquiring what was a seasoned business and successfully doubling turnover within the first six years.

He went on to maintain numerous multi-million pound contracts with international market-leading organisations, and subsequently received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade.

Passionate about innovation and using the latest technology to deliver enhanced performance and  business competitiveness, Mark holds vast experience in the design and launch of innovative products, managing the full life-cycle of projects from inception through to completion and commercialisation.

No better was this illustrated than during Covid, when, quick to recognise the changing needs of the market, he led the company out the other side of the pandemic in a strong position, thanks to new products, an efficiency drive and an innovative business strategy.

With first-hand knowledge of successful funding applications and technical collaborations, Mark is  able to quickly understand the specific challenges that a diverse range of businesses face, and help them access the research, knowledge transfer, expertise, facilities and finance they need.

Mark says: “Having owned a business in Rochdale, I’m a proud ambassador and advocate for the area, and am very much looking forward to connecting with companies in the clean growth, digital and creative, health, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

“Innovation Navigator from the GM Business Growth Hub is a fresh kind of support programme for specific sector businesses. So, if you’re involved in AI, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; or sustainable advanced materials, then I’d love to talk with you to discuss how your business can benefit from this unique opportunity to commercialise and accelerate your innovation.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tibbenham-4401a732/

Helen Fish

Local Innovation Connector – Manchester

Amongst Helen’s extensive entrepreneurial background is co-founding Beatstream Media, a Manchester-based technology company that stands at the forefront of music streaming innovation.

Dedicated to transforming the way music and the spoken word is experienced and enjoyed, Helen co-developed a unique platform that enables customers to listen to live events across the country, from DJ sets to concerts.

With its focus on pushing boundaries and specialising in cutting-edge solutions, Beatstream won the Best Start-Up Award at Venturefest 2017, the region’s biggest showcase of business innovation, while Helen was included in Business Cloud’s Female Founders of Tech list, celebrating those who drive growth and innovation.

As an innovative business owner – she is also Co-founder and Managing Director of a premium corporate wine tasting events company – Helen has valuable experience of overcoming obstacles, from tech hurdles to funding challenges, and has enjoyed huge success in convincing investors and angels that her innovations are worth investing in.

Actively engaging in networking within Manchester's business communities, Helen has cultivated a rich network over several years.

She says: “I’m eager to bring some of my keen innovation sense to help local businesses create and launch new products and services, and accelerate this process – whether they’re in the field of AI, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; or sustainable advanced materials.

“I’m all about finding ways to accelerate commercialisation and bring new investment in, and can’t wait to connect with companies that are open to collaborating with the wonderful research base we have here in Greater Manchester and the wider UK. Innovation Navigator is a new programme and one I am confident is an ideal support solution for any number of relevant businesses in Manchester.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenfish/

Stephen Slater

Local Innovation Connector – Salford

Passionate about delivering new and scalable solutions to business challenges, Stephen draws on extensive knowhow spanning the entire life cycle of innovation and product development projects.

His diverse design and advanced manufacturing experience ranges from the toy industry to military, aviation and marine sectors, equipping him with a comprehensive knowledge base across compliance, testing, validation and certification, and commercialisation.

As Technical Manager for a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) protective garment manufacturer, Stephen created links with specialist research centres around the globe to help deliver innovative equipment, as well as building major supplier partnerships.

Previous roles include the design and development of products for UK and international markets; positions in media, graphic design and packaging; and central involvement in garment trials and certification for the US Department of Defense and UK Ministry of Defence. He also managed the design and certification of helicopter passenger and crew flight jackets, working with numerous suppliers to deliver multi-location manufactured parts into a final assembled system.

This multi-sector experience puts Stephen in an ideal position to engage with innovative companies and foster opportunities for collaboration. Able to quickly understand and break down projects, he is skilled at identifying the right support and partnerships to quickly move things forward – empowering businesses to benefit from specialist research, knowledge transfer, facilities and funding, all laser-focused on commercialising their innovation.

Stephen says: “I’ve seen first-hand on multiple occasions the benefits of collaboration in transforming innovations into tangible realities – and, more importantly, improved performance and competitiveness. Using my commercial and technical aptitude, I want to assist businesses in Salford to create, accelerate and launch new products and services.

“So, if you’re working with emerging technologies in one of Greater Manchester’s frontier sectors, then I’d love to talk with you, as I am confident that our new Innovation Navigator programme will be of valuable support for relevant Salford businesses.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steslater/

Karen Fitzpatrick

Local Innovation Connector – Oldham

Karen has been embedded within the Oldham business community for several years, and counts more than two decades’ experience of supporting and developing small, medium and large enterprises.

She has worked extensively across a wide range of business sectors – including manufacturing, advanced engineering, construction, healthcare and digital – to support new product, process and service innovation.

It’s a background that means Karen is uniquely positioned to help accelerate route to market and commercialisation for companies involved in AI, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; or sustainable advanced materials.

Business expertise and strong analytical skills allow her to quickly diagnose an organisation’s needs and barriers to growth, from where she is able to identify innovation opportunities, draw on specialist support from commercialisation experts, and tap into the huge amount of expertise and resources available within Greater Manchester and the broader UK research base.”

A born networker, Karen is a regular at Oldham Council’s Strategic Business Breakfasts, GM Business Growth Hub Match events, First Friday Small Business Networking, Oldham Start-up Huddle and other business events in the borough and further afield.

She is brilliant at building long-term productive and sustainable relationships, and passionate about encouraging companies to explore how local business support stimulates profitable growth to create commercial success.

Karen says: “If you’re an Oldham business working in advanced materials and manufacturing; clean growth; digital, creative and media; or health innovation then I’d ask you to give me a few minutes of your time. There’s a massive amount of support out there for companies like yours, from niche finding pots to specialist innovation and R&D assets – I’m here to connect you to the resources that will accelerate your route to market .”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fitzpatrick-b309b8153/

Matt Walsh

Local Innovation Connector – Stockport

A successful entrepreneur, Matt is dedicated to using his extensive knowledge of business processes and innovation to help Stockport companies of all sizes unblock the barriers to R&D and find a clear pathway to new commercial opportunities.

Experienced in all aspects of business, with a special emphasis on using technology to solve problems and create streamlined processes, he has a diverse background that includes strategic positions within the construction, distribution, pharmaceuticals, and creative industries.

As co-founder of Beatstream Media, Matt created a streaming application that enabled music enthusiasts to immerse themselves in live events from across the UK. The groundbreaking platform was honoured with the Best Start-Up Award at Venturefest 2017, which celebrates business innovation in the region.

CEO for almost a decade, he is adept at navigating tech and funding obstacles, and can vouch for the tangible benefits of capitalising on Greater Manchester’s innovation assets in terms of enhancing performance and competitiveness, Beatstream itself having benefitted from GM Business Growth Hub support.

Matt is dedicated to collaborating with those working in three technology clusters: AI, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; and sustainable advanced materials. His broad perspective and a versatile skill set means he is quickly able to understand a client’s specific goals and identify the relevant resources and funding opportunities.

He says: “What I love about Innovation Navigator is its proactive approach, which takes the pain away for businesses trying to find a way through the plethora of support offers and get to what’s best for them.

“There’s a mountain of resources and expertise out there for innovation projects, and now it’s so much easier for Stockport firms to access it, as it all starts with a conversation with me!”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-walsh-beatstream/

Russell Mansfield

Commercialisation Specialist

Russell is dedicated to increasing the commercial readiness of organisations working within artificial intelligence, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; and sustainable advanced materials.

With expertise in diagnosing the needs of those wishing to scale and grow their business, he uses his position at the heart of Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem to identify collaboration, R&D and investment opportunities that will accelerate commercialisation.

Russell has a background in ecological consultancy and project management across various industries. This includes working on prominent large-scale development projects, such as HS2, the M4 motorway and extensive housing developments, as well as in the alcohol manufacturing sector. Here, he took products from their initial concept through to market launch, increasing revenue by over £2million inside two-and-a-half years.

Demonstrating a global business acumen, Russell has handled material sourcing from the UK, Poland and China, as well as exporting to European markets. He has also worked extensively with product designers to create bespoke innovations to meet the demands of some of the UK's leading retailers.

Drawing on his in-depth innovation funding knowledge and key connections, Russell has helped over 100 companies to develop eco innovations and, harnessing a passion for addressing natural world and ecological issues, he also co-designed and delivered the GM Business Growth Hub’s successful Eco-FORCE workshops.

He says, “My goal is to drive projects to successful fruition, from the prototype trials stage right through to the marketplace. I’ve got a load of experience of working with innovative companies and want to help those that need knowledge transfer and investment partners to get their project moving quickly.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellmansfield1/

Karen Dudley

Commercialisation Specialist

Karen has supported businesses of all sizes throughout Greater Manchester for 30 years, an invaluable asset to organisations across numerous sectors and at all stages of their innovation journey.

She has vast experience of developing business strategies focusing on commercialisation, and strong knowledge of the funding and support landscape across the city-region and beyond, facilitating countless collaborations between industry and local and national research entities.

Empowering businesses to tap into a wealth of innovation assets, Karen not only connects them to the right solution to accelerate their journey to market, but also shoulders much of the time and resource burden: from analysing R&D needs, to developing and distributing a technical project brief, to finding the right facilities and expertise.

Amongst Karen’s many successes was her support of a Salford shoe business, which went on to receive £50,000 investment from one of the BBC’s ‘dragons’ and received first prize at The European Awards for its trail-blazing approach to sustainability and innovation in the fashion sector.

Karen moved the initial idea through to a stage where the start-up attracted global interest and increased sales by £300,000, facilitating a project with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Print City to aid with design and prototyping, as well as securing funding to support the collaboration.

She says, “I want to help innovative companies to advance their projects, using the tools, techniques and experience at my disposal, to create commercial success. Let me help to speed up the process of launching your new product or service to market.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dudley-1a884b2a0/

Jeremy Goodwin

Commercialisation Specialist

With a robust background in research and development, and product and development expertise from conception to commercialisation, Jeremy is primed to meet the needs of Greater Manchester businesses wishing to scale and grow. 

His skills cover the entire innovation life-cycle, from the generation of insights and conceptualisation, through to research, prototyping, and delivery.

Holding a PhD in Chemistry, he has over 20 years of experience in consumer-centric innovation and new product development, previously working within the R&D team at PZ Cussons (UK) Ltd. Amongst his many achievements there, Jeremy advanced the knowledge of skin-cleansing formulations upon skin health, hygiene and the microbiome – identifying opportunities to turn scientific understanding into category-leading claims that resonated with customers.

He also possesses extensive experience in collaborative endeavours with research institutions, including the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Liverpool, as well as with consumer product and microbiology contract services throughout the UK.

Jeremy says, “Operating at the intersection between technological innovation and problem-solving, I’m committed to empowering businesses in eligible sectors to grow and thrive. What drives me is the potential to create a positive impact on the environment and society through the successful commercialisation of innovation projects.”

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goodwinjeremy/

Nick Avis

Commercialisation Specialist

With deep knowledge of Greater Manchester’s research assets, Nick supports companies to accelerate growth and the launch of new products and services, focusing on emerging technologies across artificial intelligence, data and advanced computing; diagnostics and genomics; and sustainable advanced materials.

He holds a PhD in Medical Physics and has held multiple university posts, conducting successful multidisciplinary projects with both academic and major industrial partners, alongside hands-on experience of forming university spin-out companies – including a role as scientific director of an award-winning global provider of advanced ultrasound training simulators for medical professionals.

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Chester, Nick played a key role in cultivating a strong research environment rated in the UK’s top 10 places to carry out postgraduate research.

He was a driving force behind the One Wales Research Institute for Visual Computing, as well as the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) Biomedical Research Unit in Advanced Medical Image Analysis and Visualization, a collaboration involving the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea.

He has a passion for promoting green sustainable growth and, as CEO of a clean energy start-up, was responsible for commercialising an innovative hydrogen fuel cell system.

Nick says, “I’m delighted to be part of the new Innovation Navigator programme and am convinced that it will be of tremendous benefit to businesses needing technical or technological support. I know the transformational nature of the right collaborations and am looking forward to opening up R&D opportunities that will deliver very real results.”

 LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-avis-885177211/