UMI3 Ltd appoints Dr Luke Hakes as its new Chairman

21 Dec 2016

The University of Manchester’s Innovation Company (UMI3 Ltd) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Luke Hakes as its new independent Chairman, following a search exercise by the University (advised by Odgers Berndtson – nationally recognised headhunters)

Luke will commence his role on 1 January 2017. A triple graduate of the University in biochemistry with biotechnology; bioinformatics; and computational genetics, Luke completed a PhD in 2006. He is currently Investment Director at venture capital firm, Octopus Ventures, based in the City of London.

Over the last eight years Luke has advised and been a board member of a number of University spin-out companies. In addition he has held numerous non-executive directorships at start up and growth companies and has considerable experience of building and exiting businesses in the disruptive technology arena.

Outside of Octopus, Luke is an angel investor and advisor to a number of early stage companies with a particular interest in the artificial intelligence and genomics spaces.

Dr Hakes comments: “I am delighted to be joining UMI3 as Chairman. Universities play a hugely important role in fostering innovation and talent and nowhere is this more true than at The University of Manchester. I am incredibly excited to work with the fantastic team at UMI3 to support its continued growth and success.”

Clive Rowland, UMI3 CEO, comments: “Luke’s appointment is an important step for us as we embark on a new business plan in an exciting time of development for the University and the Northern Powerhouse. Luke’s enthusiasm for technology venturing, his commitment to help the University further enhance its standing in this area and his expertise and wide investor networks all bring a new and refreshing dimension to our approach which is crucial for our next phase”.

Luke succeeds Dr Krishnamurthy Rajagopal in the role.