Iain Gray, former managing director of Airbus UK, has taken up his post as the first Chief Executive of the government-funded body set up to promote and invest in R&D for technology and innovation.
Flying in from Airbus: Iain Gray.
Gray said, “Understanding the needs of business, and what it takes to innovate effectively, is vital to the Technology Strategy Board’s work.”
The TSB was established on 1 July 2007, to advise the government on polices that relate to technology innovation and knowledge transfer and in delivering a national technology strategy.
Gray’s appointment coincides with the announcement by UK innovation minister John Denham of a further £100 million to be invested by the board in collaborative R&D in innovation and new technology.
The eight technology areas for which submissions are invited are:
- Phase 1, opening 8 November 2007 – Materials for Energy; High Value Manufacturing; Cell Therapy.
- Phase 2, opening 19 December 2007 – Low Carbon Energy Technologies; Advanced Lighting, Lasers and Displays; Technologies for Health.
- Phase 3, opening 30 January 2008 – Gathering Data in Complex Environments; Creative Industries.
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