Jonathan Abra

I am Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA) for Lancashire and Cumbria, helping to deliver Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

KTPs support businesses to engage with expert academic teams on a project-based collaboration, delivering sustainable innovation with positive economic impact and additional societal or environmental benefits. I look after businesses, supporting their projects with knowledge bases in many parts of the country. I also maintain relationships with a number of designated universities in relation to their participation in the programme.

I am keen to engage with businesses, business clusters and regional agencies to ensure that Lancashire and Cumbria benefits as much as possible from this world-leading innovation investment mechanism.

Prior to taking on this role, I worked as lead for Water and Wastewater activity at Innovate UK Business Connect for 13 years. I worked closely with the UK Water and Wastewater sector and its supply chain to help drive innovation in the treatment, distribution and use of water, the recovery of value from wastewater and the protection of the water environment. I also worked as part of the Innovation Exchange delivery team and have led on brokerage activity, supporting the Energy Catalyst competition.

Before joining Innovate UK Business Connect, I worked in the minerals industry and environmental consultancy. I live in Lancaster and have an MBA from Lancaster University Management School.