This approach also builds on the successful national collaboration model developed through the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS), which connects businesses with existing specialist expertise and facilities across the UK. Rather than duplicating national innovation assets, CEAMS makes it easier for companies to find and access them, bringing together the right capabilities around their needs.
The University is also lead delivery partner for the £16.4 million Atom Valley Innovation District programme, supported by UK Research and Innovation’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), a flagship £500 million UK Government programme investing in regional innovation economies across the country. This investment will accelerate the development of an advanced materials and manufacturing ecosystem around SMMC, supporting business innovation and the growth of the wider cluster.
As Managing Director, Steve will lead the development of the centres’ commercial and operational strategy, building industry partnerships and attracting new business activity while strengthening connections with regional and national innovation partners.
The role sits within Unit M, the University’s innovation directorate, and supports the university’s Manchester 2035 strategy in its ambition to become Europe’s most inclusive and impactful innovation ecosystem.
Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, and Chief Executive of Unit M at the University of Manchester, said: “Steve brings an exceptional combination of industrial leadership, commercial experience and a strong track record of working across industry and academia. His experience at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult makes him particularly well placed to lead the next phase of development for GEIC and our role within SMMC.
“Steve’s leadership will be central to our ambition to create the UK’s most connected advanced materials cluster, building on GEIC’s achievements and realising the potential of SMMC to support manufacturing innovation and industrial growth.
“Working with partners including Rochdale Development Agency, we’ve made significant progress in developing SMMC at Atom Valley. Steve’s appointment will help us build on that investment, connect it with GEIC’s established strengths and create new opportunities for businesses to innovate, scale and grow.”
Councillor Daniel Meredith, Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing said: “The Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre is a major investment in Rochdale’s future and a cornerstone of our ambitions for Atom Valley. We’ve worked closely with the University of Manchester to bring the centre to this stage, and Steve’s appointment is an important step towards realising its full potential.
“His experience of working with industry and developing successful innovation partnerships will be invaluable as we look to attract new businesses, investment and skilled jobs to Rochdale. We want Atom Valley to become a place where advanced manufacturing businesses can establish themselves and grow, and SMMC will have a central role in making that happen.”
Steve Foxley said: “The UK has some extraordinary strengths in research and engineering, particularly around advanced materials, but the challenge is making sure those strengths translate into successful businesses, competitive industries and real economic growth. That’s something I’ve been passionate about throughout my career, and it’s what attracted me to this opportunity at Manchester.
“GEIC has already built a strong reputation for working with industry, and the development of SMMC at Atom Valley creates an opportunity to take that capability further. By connecting the expertise, facilities and partnerships across both centres, we can help businesses overcome some of the practical challenges of developing, testing and scaling new technologies.
“I’m looking forward to working with the teams, our industry partners and the wider innovation community to build on what’s already been achieved and make a real difference to UK manufacturing.”
“The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester City Centre on Oxford Road.”
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