The Team
The Bionow team manage a portfolio of projects, in order to enhance the NW biotechnology infrastructure.
Dr Geoff Davison
Director of Bionow
Dr Geoff Davison - Director of Bionow
Geoff leads the Bionow team and is also Biomedical
Sector Head for NWDA. His role is wide ranging and covers strategic
engagement with regional companies large and small, identification,
development and sponsorship of strategic projects to develop the
biomedical sector and leadership of all biomedical foreign and
direct investment (FDI) activities. In addition to local engagement
Geoff has a strong focus on developing and maintaining strategic
links and relationships with national and international
organisations to develop opportunities for local biomedical
companies.
Geoff joined the Bionow team in July 2007 as
Sector Development Manager for the biomedical cluster and secured
his current role in 2009. Prior to this Geoff was founder of
Biorite Ltd., a spin-out company from the University of Manchester,
which merged to form Advanced Biomedical Ltd. in 2003 where he was
Technical Director. Geoff has a PhD from the School of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manchester University and a
BSc (Hons.) degree in Biochemistry. He began his career as a
Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of
Manchester.
Dr Diane Cresswell
Business Development Manager
Dr Diane Cresswell - Business Development Manager
Diane
joined the Bionow team in February 2006 as Biomedical Business
Development Manager. NWDA operates a formal programme of
strategic relationship management with the major companies in each
strategic sector. Biomedical is recognised as a strategic
sector for growth and embraces biotechnology, pharmaceuticals,
medical devices and healthcare. Diane directly supports
over thirty Biomedical Key Account companies across the region,
working with them to understand strategic business direction and
requirements, to identify new investment opportunities (or threats
to existing investment) and to proactively deliver public sector
support via a virtual team. The aim is to maintain and grow a
strong framework of larger Biomedical companies which will bring
critical mass towards creating a supportive environment for
innovation and growth. Diane has a BSc (Hons) degree and PhD
in Physics from the University of Liverpool and a strong background
in technical manufacturing and operational management.
Dr Ben Cliff
Sector Development Manager
Dr Ben Cliff - Sector Development Manager
Ben has a wide ranging role
within the Bionow team, involved in management of NWDA funded
biomedical projects in addition to business
support initiatives at both a cluster and individual company
level. He also works towards building cluster links and
relationships with other bio-regions and supports foreign direct
investment programmes on an international basis. Previously
Ben has worked both in
technical and commercial management roles within small start-up and
FTSE 100 scientific companies in the Northwest providing
analysis and testing services to pharma, biotech and medical device
clients. His academic background is Chemistry with a PhD on the
application of surface mass spectrometry to biological
systems.
Mr Damien Roberts
Investment Manager
Mr Damien Roberts - Investment Manager
Damien joined NWDA in 2008, working to secure foreign-direct
investment for the Northwest region across industry sectors. He
moved into the biomedical team in 2009 as Investment Manager and
works attracting biomedical companies to the region from North
America, China, India, Japan and the rest of the world. Damien has
a degree in Management from Liverpool John Moores University, and
was previously employed as a lecturer in the Management School at
Liverpool John Moores University whilst studying for his PhD in
Strategic Operations Management. Damien has also worked in retail
management and for University of Liverpool Libraries.
Miss Helen Williams
Co-ordinator
Miss Helen Williams - Co-ordinator
Helen has qualifications in business management and joined the team
in October 2006. Her key responsibilities are for the planning and
management of marketing activities within the biomedical sector. In
her previous roles Helen worked within the sales division of
Pirelli Cables focusing primarily on the Middle East market and was
most recently an Office Manager for several years for an events
company.
More Information
Northwest Regional Development Agency,
Renaissance House, PO Box 37, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1XB
Telephone: 01925 400100 | Fax: 01925 400400 | Email: bionow@nwda.co.uk
