Matthew Wasley

I lead on photonics with the Emerging and Enabling team at Innovate UK Business Connect and work broadly across a range of other technologies. I help companies to grow by developing collaborations, driving the innovation process, and enabling access to funding and finance.

I began my career in defence science, moving from applied research to project management and then business development. I have also worked in a number of innovation and business development roles in the higher education sector, most recently with the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA).

I work with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to multinationals, with academia, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) as well as with local and national government stakeholders and leadership groups. I am particularly proud to have played a part in founding the Opening Up Photonics initiative, aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in the photonics sector.