The Leeds Innovation Partnership brings together leaders from the education, health, business and government to create a driving force to foster innovation across Leeds.
Dame Linda Pollard CBE DL Hon LLD
Since Linda joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals as Chair in Feb 2013, she has led the Trust to a number of significant successes. She is a successful entrepreneur and highly experienced chair who has worked in the public and private sector in a number of high profile and successful organisations.
Linda Chairs the Leeds Innovation District Partnership, a partnership between LTHT, the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council, including the LEP and private sector. Linda has led the ambition to create a world-class hub for research, innovation and entrepreneurialism for the City and a key part of this will be the development of two new hospitals for Leeds, and the new Innovation Village on the Leeds General Infirmary site.
This year Linda was presented with Yorkshire Woman of the Year and is a recipient of the Dr Neville Bain Memorial Award by the Institute of Directors for excellence in Director and Board practice.
Since Linda joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals as Chair in Feb 2013, she has led the Trust to a number of significant successes. She is a successful entrepreneur and highly experienced chair who has worked in the public and private sector in a number of high profile and successful organisations.
Linda Chairs the Leeds Innovation District Partnership, a partnership between LTHT, the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council, including the LEP and private sector. Linda has led the ambition to create a world-class hub for research, innovation and entrepreneurialism for the City and a key part of this will be the development of two new hospitals for Leeds, and the new Innovation Village on the Leeds General Infirmary site.
This year Linda was presented with Yorkshire Woman of the Year and is a recipient of the Dr Neville Bain Memorial Award by the Institute of Directors for excellence in Director and Board practice.
Tom Riordan
Tom has been Chief Executive of the council since 2010 helping to attract £6 billion of investment to Leeds, including the first direct Arena, a transformed retail core and low carbon district heating. Tom was instrumental in securing a range of successes to the city, notably the Channel 4 headquarters, the UK Infrastructure Bank, the Bank of England’s northern hub, Burberry and numerous technology firms, and world leading sporting events such as the Tour de France and World Triathlon. Tom’s top priority is for Leeds’ growth to be inclusive, championing mental health and diversity causes in the city. Tom is a trustee on the Centre for Cities Board and is the Council's mental health champion. He chairs the UK Core Cities chief executives forum and has held various roles promoting local and central government engagement, including devising the local COVID contain framework during the pandemic.
Tom has been Chief Executive of the council since 2010 helping to attract £6 billion of investment to Leeds, including the first direct Arena, a transformed retail core and low carbon district heating. Tom was instrumental in securing a range of successes to the city, notably the Channel 4 headquarters, the UK Infrastructure Bank, the Bank of England’s northern hub, Burberry and numerous technology firms, and world leading sporting events such as the Tour de France and World Triathlon. Tom’s top priority is for Leeds’ growth to be inclusive, championing mental health and diversity causes in the city. Tom is a trustee on the Centre for Cities Board and is the Council's mental health champion. He chairs the UK Core Cities chief executives forum and has held various roles promoting local and central government engagement, including devising the local COVID contain framework during the pandemic.
Councillor James Lewis
Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021, having previously been Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2015. In May 2021, the newly elected Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, also appointed Cllr Lewis as the Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Cllr Lewis has responsibility in Leeds for devolution and local freedoms as well as leading the Council’s budget and strategic planning matched to the needs of the citizens and communities in its area and ensuring the delivery of strategic priorities.
Cllr Lewis was first elected as a Labour Councillor to represent the Barwick and Kippax ward, now the Kippax and Methley ward, in 2003. He has held numerous positions during his time as a Councillor, including being the Chair of Metro (West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority) between 2011 and 2015.
Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021, having previously been Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2015. In May 2021, the newly elected Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, also appointed Cllr Lewis as the Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Cllr Lewis has responsibility in Leeds for devolution and local freedoms as well as leading the Council’s budget and strategic planning matched to the needs of the citizens and communities in its area and ensuring the delivery of strategic priorities.
Cllr Lewis was first elected as a Labour Councillor to represent the Barwick and Kippax ward, now the Kippax and Methley ward, in 2003. He has held numerous positions during his time as a Councillor, including being the Chair of Metro (West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority) between 2011 and 2015.
Eve Roodhouse
Eve leads on Culture and Economic Development at Leeds City Council. Her portfolio is wide ranging spanning everything from oversight of Leeds Museums and Galleries through to visitor economy, international relations, economic policy and business support. Her team have provided extensive support to businesses across the city during Covid-19 and delivered the Leeds Economic Recovery Framework in 2020.
Prior to joining Leeds City Council in July 2018, Eve worked at NHS Digital for 15 years on the delivery of the first Prison Health IT system in England and the delivery of the Child Protection Information Sharing Project across the NHS and Local Authorities.
Eve is a member of the Leadership Group of the Chamber of Commerce, a Director of North Invest and a Board member of WILD (formerly known as Women in Leeds Digital).
Eve leads on Culture and Economic Development at Leeds City Council. Her portfolio is wide ranging spanning everything from oversight of Leeds Museums and Galleries through to visitor economy, international relations, economic policy and business support. Her team have provided extensive support to businesses across the city during Covid-19 and delivered the Leeds Economic Recovery Framework in 2020.
Prior to joining Leeds City Council in July 2018, Eve worked at NHS Digital for 15 years on the delivery of the first Prison Health IT system in England and the delivery of the Child Protection Information Sharing Project across the NHS and Local Authorities.
Eve is a member of the Leadership Group of the Chamber of Commerce, a Director of North Invest and a Board member of WILD (formerly known as Women in Leeds Digital).
Angela Barnicle
Angela has a passion for cities, economic development and with it delivering transformational change and inclusive growth. Having worked extensively across the UK advising on large scale city development and transport schemes, organisational design and place positioning, Angela now leads the Asset Management and Regeneration Service for Leeds City Council. Here Angela focuses on realising the development opportunities and optimum real estate solutions to support the growth of the City.
The Service is currently engaged in a number of Place Programmes across the city including the delivery of new affordable homes across Leeds, the redevelopment of Leeds Station, East Leeds Orbital Extension, which will release an additional 5,000 homes for the City, the delivery of new schools, the ongoing redevelopment of the South Bank which will knit together the network of neighbourhoods which make up the city centre and the Leeds Innovation Arc.
Angela has a passion for cities, economic development and with it delivering transformational change and inclusive growth. Having worked extensively across the UK advising on large scale city development and transport schemes, organisational design and place positioning, Angela now leads the Asset Management and Regeneration Service for Leeds City Council. Here Angela focuses on realising the development opportunities and optimum real estate solutions to support the growth of the City.
The Service is currently engaged in a number of Place Programmes across the city including the delivery of new affordable homes across Leeds, the redevelopment of Leeds Station, East Leeds Orbital Extension, which will release an additional 5,000 homes for the City, the delivery of new schools, the ongoing redevelopment of the South Bank which will knit together the network of neighbourhoods which make up the city centre and the Leeds Innovation Arc.
Julian Hartley
Julian has been Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2013 after working in a number of NHS management posts at hospital, health authority and regional level.
Since joining Leeds Teaching Hospitals he has introduced ‘The Leeds Way’ to drive cultural change and improve patient experience and outcomes. This has led to a step change in staff engagement and Leeds Teaching Hospitals is now among the best performing Trusts in the national staff survey. Over 6,000 of our staff have so far engaged with The Leeds Improvement Method leading improvement projects across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas.
Julian also plays a key leadership role in the local and regional health economy acting as the Chair of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts which is a collaboration of the six hospital trusts across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to work together to deliver the best possible services for patients. Julian is also a core part of the leadership team for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Care Partnership.
Julian has been Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2013 after working in a number of NHS management posts at hospital, health authority and regional level.
Since joining Leeds Teaching Hospitals he has introduced ‘The Leeds Way’ to drive cultural change and improve patient experience and outcomes. This has led to a step change in staff engagement and Leeds Teaching Hospitals is now among the best performing Trusts in the national staff survey. Over 6,000 of our staff have so far engaged with The Leeds Improvement Method leading improvement projects across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas.
Julian also plays a key leadership role in the local and regional health economy acting as the Chair of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts which is a collaboration of the six hospital trusts across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to work together to deliver the best possible services for patients. Julian is also a core part of the leadership team for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Care Partnership.
Dr Martin Stow
Martin is Chairman and Director of Nexus, a vibrant community for innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Leeds.
Nexus brings together the brightest minds from business, technology and academia. It provides bespoke support to help its members stimulate innovation and deliver rapid commercial impact. Their expert team bridge the gap between business and academia, helping members to access the knowledge, people and workspace their business needs to thrive across the University of Leeds, the city and the region.
Martin has a passion for driving innovation and has been responsible for bringing over 25 new products to market in the Medical Device, Diagnostics and Consumer sectors, most of which have been launched globally.
His breadth of experience, having held senior leadership roles in organisations - from start-ups to global healthcare giants such as Johnson & Johnson - gives him rare insight into the challenges facing business of all sizes, specifically promoting and enabling research and innovation within businesses.
Martin is dedicated to driving economic and societal change for the Leeds City region and beyond through his role as MIT REAP Team Champion. MIT REAP is a global initiative designed to help regions accelerate economic growth through innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Martin is Chairman and Director of Nexus, a vibrant community for innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Leeds.
Nexus brings together the brightest minds from business, technology and academia. It provides bespoke support to help its members stimulate innovation and deliver rapid commercial impact. Their expert team bridge the gap between business and academia, helping members to access the knowledge, people and workspace their business needs to thrive across the University of Leeds, the city and the region.
Martin has a passion for driving innovation and has been responsible for bringing over 25 new products to market in the Medical Device, Diagnostics and Consumer sectors, most of which have been launched globally.
His breadth of experience, having held senior leadership roles in organisations - from start-ups to global healthcare giants such as Johnson & Johnson - gives him rare insight into the challenges facing business of all sizes, specifically promoting and enabling research and innovation within businesses.
Martin is dedicated to driving economic and societal change for the Leeds City region and beyond through his role as MIT REAP Team Champion. MIT REAP is a global initiative designed to help regions accelerate economic growth through innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Richelle Schuster
Richelle has a track record of building successful partnerships and national programmes within the private and public sector, to deliver real and measurable outcomes. As the Head of Innovation Programmes at Leeds City Council, she leads the creation of support strategies for startups and scale ups and advises the region on investment priorities and partnerships to support innovative entrepreneurs. Richelle is driven by challenge, breaking down barriers and creating impact-led strategies which can deliver both economic and societal gain - a central and motivating purpose that continues to shape her career.
Richelle has a track record of building successful partnerships and national programmes within the private and public sector, to deliver real and measurable outcomes. As the Head of Innovation Programmes at Leeds City Council, she leads the creation of support strategies for startups and scale ups and advises the region on investment priorities and partnerships to support innovative entrepreneurs. Richelle is driven by challenge, breaking down barriers and creating impact-led strategies which can deliver both economic and societal gain - a central and motivating purpose that continues to shape her career.
Tracey Lancaster
Tracey is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Resources) at Leeds Beckett University with strategic responsibility for the business operation of the University. This includes oversight of the finance, human resources, IT, student recruitment, strategic insight and the estate as well as internal and external communications services.
She is the current chair of the Leeds City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) as well as the Chair of the Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) widening participation consortium of further education colleges and universities.
Educated at the University of Cambridge, Tracey started her senior career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving into the higher education sector in 2002. She was the University of Birmingham's first director of marketing and, subsequently, director of external relations at Sheffield Hallam University before joining Leeds Beckett in 2016.
Tracey is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Resources) at Leeds Beckett University with strategic responsibility for the business operation of the University. This includes oversight of the finance, human resources, IT, student recruitment, strategic insight and the estate as well as internal and external communications services.
She is the current chair of the Leeds City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) as well as the Chair of the Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) widening participation consortium of further education colleges and universities.
Educated at the University of Cambridge, Tracey started her senior career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving into the higher education sector in 2002. She was the University of Birmingham's first director of marketing and, subsequently, director of external relations at Sheffield Hallam University before joining Leeds Beckett in 2016.
Professor Nick Plant
Nick is Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation and leads on the development of the University of Leeds’ research and innovation strategy, creating a research culture and environment which delivers high quality research and impact for the region and beyond. His brief includes promoting partnerships in a number of key sectors, accelerating collaboration across a wide range of academic disciplines and driving recruitment of world-leading academics.
Nick came to Leeds as Dean of Research Quality and Impact in 2017, leading on the development and enhancement of the University’s research profile, including the implementation of an institutional-wide quality and impact delivery plan and preparations for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. He is also responsible for ensuring that the University continues to invest in its greatest asset: its staff.
Before joining the University he was an Associate Professor in Systems Biology at the University of Surrey. He is a science graduate of the University of Nottingham.
Nick is Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation and leads on the development of the University of Leeds’ research and innovation strategy, creating a research culture and environment which delivers high quality research and impact for the region and beyond. His brief includes promoting partnerships in a number of key sectors, accelerating collaboration across a wide range of academic disciplines and driving recruitment of world-leading academics.
Nick came to Leeds as Dean of Research Quality and Impact in 2017, leading on the development and enhancement of the University’s research profile, including the implementation of an institutional-wide quality and impact delivery plan and preparations for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. He is also responsible for ensuring that the University continues to invest in its greatest asset: its staff.
Before joining the University he was an Associate Professor in Systems Biology at the University of Surrey. He is a science graduate of the University of Nottingham.