Lou Cordwell OBE biography

Professor of Innovation and Special Advisor (Innovation & Regional Ecosystem) to The Office of the President and Vice Chancellor, University of Manchester

Chair, Greater Manchester Business Board

‌Lou began her career working for WPP before founding Manchester-based digital design studio, magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK's leading design and innovation consultancy, Magnetic, where Lou was Chief Creative Officer until March of this year.

Lou spent two years through to Autumn 2023 establishing the JV team and Strategic Masterplan for ID Manchester, Europe's most ambitious Innovation District project.

In January 2024, Lou joined the University of Manchester as a Professor of Innovation and Special Advisor to the President and Vice-Chancellor. She also acts as an advisor to a number of other place-based innovation projects and tech start-up/scale-up companies across the UK.

Alongside her day jobs, she is Chair of Greater Manchester's Business Board (LEP), working in collaboration with Greater Manchester's Mayor and Leaders to help drive the region's economy.

Lou was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year's Honours for services to the creative and digital economy