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Loughborough graduate returns to University to drive regional innovation

Posted on 03/04/2009

Loughborough University Website

Loughborough graduate returns to University to drive regional innovation

A Loughborough University graduate, James Reeves, has returned this month to become an Innovation Adviser at the Transport Innovation Network (iNet). The new team are tasked with boosting innovation among businesses in the aerospace, rail, marine, automotive and motorsport sectors.

James graduated with an honours degree in product design and manufacture in 2002, and went on to carve out a career centred around technology and innovation within the East Midlands. Most recently, as Business Manager for the Motorsport Academy, he facilitated a number of business support programmes for motorsport related companies. His other roles have included managing research projects across small and medium sized enterprises and blue chip organisations, giving him a breadth of experience across automotive, motorsport and aerospace industries.

On returning to Loughborough, James said: “I am pleased to be based back in Loughborough and at the university which kick-started my career. We are keen to make a real difference in helping businesses and research organisations in the transport sector to innovate, through the advice, support and signposting that my new colleagues and I can offer.”

Located at the Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC) at Loughborough University, the Transport iNet is a business-led organisation funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund. It provides support to help businesses and individuals in the aerospace, rail, marine, automotive and motorsport sectors to become more innovative.

emda has created four iNets with support from East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council) covering healthcare and bioscience, sustainable construction, food and drink and transport. The overall objective is to increase the level of innovation in the East Midlands to improve business competitiveness, margins, sustainability and growth. They encourage individuals and organisations to work together, share ideas, technologies and intelligence and create a link between operational industries and the academic community.

James joins two other new recruits at the Transport iNet, fellow advisor Georgette Hall, and programme administrator Carol Wright. Georgette Hall has over two decades of manufacturing experience spanning academia, industry and publicly funded projects in the automotive sector. Carol Wright brings a wealth of post graduate administrative experience and will be the main point of contact as programme administrator.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk or contact Carol Wright on 01509 635270.