Dr Kirsty Hewitson

As Interim CEO and Director of Capability, I oversee the following teams at Innovate UK KTN:

• Complex Systems (including Space, Robotics & AI, Industrial Maths, and Security & Defence)
• Enabling Technologies (including Sensors, Photonics, and Electronics)
• Design
• Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology
• Materials
• Manufacturing

I previously held the position of VP Strategy and Innovation at the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) where I was responsible for identifying, translating and commercialising early stage technology opportunities together with embedding a culture of innovation across the organisation. In addition, I led the development of NNL’s four strategic themes that incorporated diverse targets areas from clean energy to nuclear medicine.

Prior to NNL, I was VP Life Sciences at Ploughshare Innovations, converting defence and security innovations, from across the Ministry of Defence, into civilian applications. Before Ploughshare, I was Director of Life Sciences at Helsinki Innovation Services and held responsibility for all innovation matters, across the life sciences, at the University of Helsinki. Previously, I worked within the field of pre-clinical drug discovery including a spin-out company from the University of Oxford.

I hold a MChem and a PhD in bio-organic chemistry, both from the University of Oxford. I am also currently a Director and Executive Committee member of Women in Nuclear UK that is driving gender equality across the nuclear sector.