Jon Kingsbury

I became the interim CEO of Innovate UK Business Connect in September 2023.

Previously, as Executive Director – Global, Investment and Insights at Innovate UK Business Connect, I led the directorate which includes our Global and EU Programmes teams, Business Growth, Policy and Insights and Investment.

My industry experience includes 15 years of senior business, production and commissioning roles at Channel 4.com and at BBC Online, including responsibility for operational technical and editorial quality across bbc.co.uk.

As Head of External Supply, I oversaw the opening up of BBC Online’s production to a wide range of more than 500 innovative digital companies. I was also Director of Creative Economy programmes at Nesta, where I set up and ran the Creative Business Mentor Network and the Digital R&D Fund for the Arts, and funded several open data initiatives. A passionate advocate of design and media education, I am a former board governor at Ravensbourne University’s College of Art & Design.