Innovation Alliance Director, Pam Waddell, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Innovation in the West Midlands.
Pam is the founding Director of the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, a regional partnership working to stimulate science and technology-based innovation to improve prosperity and quality of life across the West Midlands.
Pam is a recognised authority, locally and beyond, in the role of innovation as a driver for economic growth and improved public services, with extensive experience of leading, building and supporting strong innovation networks across diverse sectors and types of institution. She has had demonstrable success in partnership and project development, including winning of major project funds and collaborations between public, private and research sectors, and has an excellent track record of developing strategy and operation plans for delivery, both in her current role and from her 16 years in the Research Support team at the University of Birmingham.
Responding to the news Dr Pam Waddell said:
“Receiving an OBE is both a great personal honour and an endorsement for the ongoing work of the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, and all those who have made it so successful at connecting innovators around the West Midlands. I am particularly grateful to the IAWM Executive team, my current and past Chairs, and all our supporting partners for their contributions to building such an effective alliance, and I hope the recognition this award brings helps us to go from strength to strength.”
The principle objectives of Innovation Alliance are to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem for the West Midlands and to catalyse collaborative activity focussed in demand-led innovation. The Innovation Alliance built on the legacy of Birmingham Science City, which Pam directed from 2009-2017 and works closely with the Black Country LEP and Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP to ensure a joined-up approach to innovation.
Sarah Middleton, Chief Executive of the Black Country Consortium and Chair of Innovation Alliance WM Steering Group said:
“Pam has had a huge impact on innovation across the West Midlands bringing organisations together across the region to support economic growth. This honour is incredibly well-deserved and the whole Steering Group and I offer our whole hearted congratulations.”
