UNIVERSITY – BUSINESS – RESEARCH – TECHNOLOGY – INNOVATION – INVESTMENT – COLLABORATION
University-Business interactions are of increasing importance to universities, governments and societies. Universities play important roles in teaching and training young people, undertaking fundamental and applied research, and acting as promoters of economic development. Universities play vital roles in local economies as employers and consumers, but also increasingly as hubs of entrepreneurial and business activity. University research feeds new ideas into business and industry; university graduates are the dynamic workforce of new and existing enterprises.
Universities and governments are pouring huge effort and resource into developing environments that allow entrepreneurship and business interactions to thrive. Developing the most appropriate strategy for a university in a certain place at a certain time is a highly complex task. Setting the right governance framework to oversee the implementation of the strategy, and then leading and managing the effective operations and implementation are also complex tasks. Technology Transfer Innovation provides consulting expertise on the strategy, governance and operations of university-business interactions, university technology transfer and entrepreneurship.
Tom Hockaday is a highly effective leader and manager, skilled in dealing with complex situations and divergent interests. Tom is one of the leading figures in the world of university technology transfer and university-business interactions. He has led Isis Innovation Ltd at the University of Oxford from 2006 until March 2016, growing Isis into a world leader in technology transfer. Under Tom’s leadership Isis has grown sales income from £3m to £24.6m, a staff level from 35 to 100 people, supporting the creation of 70 new companies, and with a strong international presence, including subsidiary company in Hong Kong.
Tom Hockaday was the CEO of Isis Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford’s Technology Transfer company from 2006 to March 2016. He is now an independent technology transfer consultant. Tom joined Isis Innovation in March 2000 and became Managing Director / CEO in 2006. During this period Tom has overseen the rapid expansion of Isis Innovation as it has grown into one of the world’s leading university technology commercialisation organisations with its activities greatly contributing to the substantial impact of the University of Oxford around the world. He led the international expansion of Isis including establishing Isis Innovation offices in Hong Kong, Madrid and Kyoto, and a number of joint ventures in China.
Before Oxford, Tom spent seven years in technology transfer at Bristol University, where he was Managing Director of Bristol Innovations Ltd, and four years previously at University College London. In 2003 Tom was Chairman of UNICO, the UK’s university technology transfer association. Tom has advised numerous universities and organisations on technology transfer and innovation management, and spoken at conferences around the world.
Tom has specific expertise in the following areas: technology transfer; intellectual property management; innovation management; early-stage investment finance; seed-fund management and governance; university management; entrepreneurship; company growth, from research to market.
Tom has held a large number of professional positions and appointments during his career in university technology transfer: UNICO – Chairman 2003 (the UK trade association for university technology transfer) Praxis – founding committee member (UK training association, university technology transfer) Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council - Strategic Advisory Network Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council – Advisory Board Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) – Emerging Technology & Industry Strategy Group Oxford Entrepreneurs – Senior Member of University student society Oxford Entrepreneurship Centre – Advisory Board Member Oxford Ltd – non-executive director 2001 – 2011 (University brand licensing programme) Non-executive directorships – a number of technology start-up companies.
Tom has extensive international experience, involving invited keynotes & lectures, seminar presentations, review panels, in a large number of countries: Africa: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa Americas: USA (Boston, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco); Colombia, Chile Asia: Australia, China (15 visits), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey Europe: Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain Middle East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman.
Tom is part of the Critical Friends for Peer Review programme run by ASTP-Proton Peer Review is a service for the members and by the members of ASTP-Proton. The Board of ASTP-Proton will authorize volunteering TTO directors and Senior Technology Managers to provide services under ASTP-Proton auspices. Only experienced, RTTP, Technology Transfer Managers from European TTOs are eligible. More details here ...
