Research commercialisation boost thanks to Royal Society funding

Researchers at the University of Reading will benefit from a new post to help them commercialise innovation, thanks to funding from the Royal Society.

Professor William (Bill) Kilgallon, an alumnus of Henley Management College, will support Reading researchers as he joins the University as a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence, one of 65 current and former postholders around the UK. He will work with the university to develop an assessment and change programme that will accelerate ideas to market.

Prof Kilgallon is hosted by the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and will work with researchers in this School, and others within the Agriculture, Food and Health research theme, as well as supporting the wider development of university-industry collaboration by the Knowledge Transfer Centre.

Professor Bill Kilgallon said:

“It’s a real pleasure and a unique challenge to be the new Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence for the University of Reading. I’ve already met some of the talented people at the University and hopefully I can facilitate a radical transformation in the commercialisation of research and accelerate ideas to market.”

Dr Susan Matos, Director of the Knowledge Transfer Centre at the University of Reading said:

“Securing the EiR is a real win for the University and extremely timely.  The knowledge exchange landscape is undergoing a number of changes with the introduction of the Knowledge Exchange Framework and KE Concordat, having Bill on board will enhance and accelerate our efforts.”

Professor Carol Wagstaff, Head of the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy at the University of Reading said:

“Our research and expertise are hugely valuable to the health and wellbeing of the general public, and to the UK life science economy. I welcome this new and exciting opportunity to expand our commercialisation activities and further drive health innovation for public benefit.”