Vince Cable appoints new Innovate UK Chief Executive

Dr McKernan will take up the appointment on 1 May 2015 until 30 April 2020.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

"I am delighted to appoint Ruth McKernan as Chief Executive of Innovate UK. As the government’s innovation agency, it plays a critical role in funding innovative businesses to develop new technologies, helping them to bring new products and ideas to the marketplace.

"Innovate UK have gained a talented woman in a key leadership position. She brings with her the knowledge and expertise needed to steer this expanding organisation as it provides the financial support and connections to expert business advice that increasing numbers of businesses need to drive economic growth. Making the UK a truly leading knowledge economy."

Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, said:

"Innovate UK is doing excellent work in helping a wide range of individuals and organisations bring to life their innovative ideas for new goods and services. With Ruth’s appointment, Innovate UK will have strong leadership as it moves forward to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

Ruth McKernan said:

"I am delighted to be appointed Chief Executive of Innovate UK. It is an honour to be able to build on the superb work of Iain Gray in leading this public body. The UK is world renowned for the quality of its research; turning that knowledge into businesses, jobs and sustainable economic growth is an absolute necessity for the future.

"I look forward to doing all I can to ensure that we create and grow science and technology-based companies in the UK and encourage partnership right across the innovation ecosystem.

The Chair of Innovate UK, Phil Smith, said:

"I’m really excited to see Ruth taking up the post of CEO of Innovate UK. Her commercial and research experience in a major innovation-based company are exactly what we need to lead our organisation in the coming years. At Innovate UK, we offer a wide range of effective programmes to help businesses to innovate, grow and deliver economic growth. I look forward to working with Ruth as Innovate UK moves to its next phase.

In addition to the new Chief Executive, the Business Secretary has also today announced the appointment of Harry Swan and Tera Allas as members of Innovate UK’s Governing Board.