Professional Summary

Professional Overview

Aby Iyer is a seasoned programme manager with extensive experience in innovation, partnerships, and impact evaluation. As the Senior Programme Manager at the University of Bristol's UKTIN (UK Technology Innovation Network), he spearheads initiatives that drive technological advancements and foster collaborative research between industry and academia. Concurrently, Aby holds a secondment role as the Impact and Evaluation Manager for the MyWorld project, where he leverages his expertise to measure and optimize the programme's societal and economic impact.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Senior Programme Manager - UKTIN, University of Bristol (2023-Present)

Oversees the strategic development and implementation of UKTIN's innovation programmes, focusing on technology transfer, commercialization, and industry-academia partnerships.

Manages a team of project coordinators and researchers to ensure the successful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Fosters collaborative relationships with industry partners, securing funding and facilitating joint research projects.

MyWorld Impact and Evaluation Manager (On secondment), University of Bristol (2022-Present)

Responsible for designing and implementing robust impact measurement frameworks for the MyWorld programme, which aims to transform the West of England region through digital innovation.

Collaborates with project stakeholders to identify and track key performance indicators, ensuring the programme's social, economic, and environmental impact is effectively captured and communicated.

Provides strategic recommendations to the MyWorld leadership team to optimize the programme's delivery and maximize its positive influence.

Non-Executive Director, Babbasa (2022-Present)

Serves on the board of Babbasa, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship.

Contributes to the organization's strategic direction, governance, and impact assessment, leveraging his expertise in programme management and evaluation.

Career Progression

Head of Innovation and Partnerships, Science Creates (2021-2022)

Led the development and implementation of innovation strategies to support the growth of early-stage tech companies within the Science Creates ecosystem.

Facilitated collaborative partnerships between startups, corporates, and academic institutions, driving technology transfer and commercialization.

Managed a portfolio of innovation programmes and secured external funding to support the growth and development of the Science Creates community.

Industrial Partnerships Manager, University of Bath (2020-2021)

Cultivated and managed strategic partnerships between the university and industry partners, focusing on joint research, knowledge exchange, and talent development initiatives.

Secured external funding for collaborative projects and supported the commercialization of university-developed technologies.

Contributed to the university's overall innovation and enterprise strategy, aligning industry engagement with broader institutional goals.

Industrial PhD Programme Officer, Bristol Doctoral College, University of Bristol (2017-2020)

Developed and managed the university's Industrial PhD programme, which embedded doctoral candidates within industry organizations to drive research and innovation.

Facilitated the placement of PhD students in partner companies, ensuring mutually beneficial research projects and fostering strong university-industry connections.

Provided administrative and pastoral support to the programme participants, ensuring successful completion of their doctoral studies.

Academic Background

Aby Iyer holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Bristol, where he specialized in the development of advanced functional materials for energy applications. His doctoral research was conducted in collaboration with a leading manufacturing company, demonstrating his aptitude for bridging academic research and industrial needs.

Areas of Expertise

Programme management and strategic planning

Innovation and technology transfer

University-industry collaboration

Impact evaluation and performance measurement

Stakeholder engagement and partnership development

Research commercialization and entrepreneurship support

Professional Impact

Spearheaded the launch of several successful industry-academia partnership programmes, resulting in the commercialization of novel technologies and the creation of new spin-out companies.

Designed and implemented innovative impact measurement frameworks for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, enabling data-driven decision-making and the optimization of programme delivery.

Secured over £2.5 million in external funding to support the growth and development of technology-focused ecosystems and entrepreneurial communities.

Contributed to the regional economic development of Bristol and the West of England through his leadership in digital innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives.

Conclusion

With his proven track record in programme management, innovation, and impact evaluation, Aby Iyer is a valuable asset to the University of Bristol and the wider academic-industry ecosystem. His multifacete

Aby Iyer