Supercharging Innovation

In this second series, our expert guests will explore how the UK must break down barriers to solve national and global challenges and how this can be realised through the power of science, innovation and technology. 

Episode 1 considers a number of pressing questions, including: What is the 'human cost' of digitalisation? Is AI a friend or a foe? What prevents businesses from seizing digital tech opportunities? And vitally, how do we break down common barriers to accelerate technology adoption? Find out the answers to these questions by listening to this episode of the Supercharging Innovation podcast.

Hear from our panel of experts, including Rosa Wilkinson, Director of Policy at High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Phil Young, Director of Policy at Research & Strategic Engagement at Digital Catapult, Amar Abid-Ali, Chief Commercial Officer at Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult and Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, Liberal Democrat Peer and Lords Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology

Learn more about our panellists here: 
  • Rosa Wilkinson, Director of Policy at High Value Manufacturing Catapult:
    Formerly Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Department for International Trade, Rosa Wilkinson joined the High Value Manufacturing Catapult in September 2017. Previous roles have included Director of Innovation and Strategic Communication at the Intellectual Property Office and as Director of Public Policy for Lloyds TSB. Her earlier career includes a variety of Whitehall policy roles including as Managing Director of the Government’s Small Business Service and Director of Manufacturing at the then Department for Trade and Industry.
  • Phil Young, Director of Policy at Research & Strategic Engagement at Digital Catapult:
    Digital Catapult’s Director of Policy, Research & Strategic Engagement, Philip Young has a strong background in emerging technology policy, research and strategic decision-making with both domestic and international experience. Named in Forbes 30-under-30 in 2016 as the co-founder of the charity, Future Foreign Policy and has worked in various roles in startups, scaleups, technology companies and policy/government. Adept at building networks and eco-systems to help bring about greater technology innovation, disruption and breakthroughs for the UK Economy.
  • Amar Abid-Ali, Chief Commercial Officer at Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult:
    With a clear vision to address the major challenges of Net Zero, Future Telecoms, and Intelligent Sensing in the UK, Amar oversees the business development, DER-IC, strategic development, and market intelligence teams to drive the commercial adoption of Compound Semiconductors. Before joining the Catapult team in February 2019, Amar led the European Vertical Markets and business development team for Future Electronics. His expertise in Semiconductors, RF, Power Electronics, FPGAs, Embedded Processors, DSPs, and Sensors made him an asset to the team. As the Chief Commercial Officer, Amar is responsible for driving the generation of commercial business and collaborative R&D projects for the Catapult.
  • Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, Liberal Democrat Peer and Lords Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology
    Lord Tim Clement-Jones was made CBE for political services in 1988 and life peer in 1998. He is the Liberal Democrat House of Lords spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology. He is the former Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on AI which sat from 2017-18 and a current member of the House of Lords Select Committee on AI in Weapons Systems. He is Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI and Vice Chair for a number of All-Party Parliamentary Groups - including Data Poverty; Data Analytics; Digital Skills; Digital Regulation and Responsibility; Intellectual Property; and the Future of Work. He is a founding member of the OECD Parliamentary Group on AI and former member of the Council of Europe’s Ad-hoc Committee on AI (“CAHAI”). He is Chair of Trust Alliance Group (formerly Ombudsman Services), the not-for-profit, independent ombudsman providing dispute resolution for the communications, energy, and parking industries. He is Chair of Council of Queen Mary University of London. He is a Consultant on AI Policy and Regulation to global law firm, DLA Piper.
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What is Supercharging Innovation?

In the Catapult Network’s Supercharging Innovation podcast, knowledge experts and leaders from the Catapult Network talk with some of the UK’s top industrial and academic leaders and parliamentarians to get their views on science, innovation and technology. Together, they are putting UK innovation under the spotlight and exploring the role of Government, businesses, the research community, private investors, and other innovative organisations in strengthening the economy through collaboration. Welcome to the Catapult Network’s Supercharging Innovation Podcast, subscribe now.

The Catapult Network supports businesses in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services. Catapults are a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres established and powered by Innovate UK. Catapults deliver impact across the UK economy, enabling businesses to thrive in global markets.