Norwich Research Park has announced the appointment of Dr Pete Jackson as the new non-executive chair of Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP, the body governing the Park. He succeeds Prof Nick Talbot, Executive Director of The Sainsbury Laboratory, who has been the interim chair for the last six months and who will remain on the board.
Dr Jackson (pictured) , who takes up his new role on 1 May 2021, is an experienced UK life sciences leader and entrepreneur, having founded seven biotech companies after a career in research and business management at major international firms. He is the Executive Director at Infex Therapeutics, a company that acquires, develops and licenses innovative drugs to treat pandemic infections, based at Alderley Park in the North West of England.
Dr Jackson said, “Norwich Research Park is home to a unique mix of four world-leading research institutes, as well as the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Their shared commitment to globally-relevant science is the essential element behind my commitment to this new role. I am looking forward to helping the Partners and the Park team deliver a very exciting plan over the years ahead.”
The appointment of Dr Jackson marks a significant step forward for the Research Park as it embarks on its planned expansion, with several new buildings to house more laboratory and office space to meet the growing demand from the businesses who are currently based there and to accommodate future spin-outs and companies relocating to the Park.
Mr David Parfrey, Chief Executive of the Park said: “I am delighted to welcome Dr Jackson to Norwich Research Park. He brings considerable experience in the science sector, and track record of translating research into successful commercial enterprises. This entrepreneurial spirit will drive our ambitious plans to make Norwich Research Park globally recognised as a world leading research, development and commercialisation community.
Dr Jackson added, “There is an enviable amount of critical research being carried out daily on the Park that can really benefit humankind globally. By creating more commercial successes from these innovations, as well as attracting more companies to locate to the Park, we will be able to bring substantial economic benefits to Norwich, East Anglia and the UK. That’s more investment, high-value jobs and opportunities in the wider supply chain.”
Dr Jackson has strong connections with Norwich and Norfolk having gained his first degree in physical chemistry at UEA in the early 1980s and has a family home in the county.
In addition to Dr Jackson, Mr Parfrey and Prof Talbot, the other members of the Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP Board are Prof Neil Hall, Earlham Institute, Prof Ian Charles, Quadram Institute, Prof Dale Sanders, The John Innes Centre, Prof Dylan Edwards, UEA, Mr Sam Higginson, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Prof David Richardson, UEA, Mr Peter Innes, John Innes Foundation and Dr Karen Lewis, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
