INSIGHTS / News

Bringing a wealth of experience spanning technical and commercial roles in Scotland, he now joins the SETsquared consortium to transform academic research into impactful business and entrepreneurship opportunities for the region.

Formerly the Head of Commercialisation at Heriot-Watt University, Paul has held roles from patent-holding software researcher and spin-out company founder to investor and has worked with diverse teams to bring new products and services from lab to market.

In addition to helping high-growth start-ups commercialise disruptive technology, Paul established the Scottish office for Mercia, one of the most active UK university investment funds and headed up student entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh as Company Formation Manager.

As Cardiff’s new Head of Research Commercialisation and Impact, he will work closely with business communities at the university’s two incubators, Cardiff Innovations and Cardiff Medicentre to harness research and transform it into market-ready ideas.

Speaking on the appointment, Paul said: “I’m delighted to be joining Cardiff University’s commercialisation and impact team. The University has an outstanding track record for translating academic research into spin-outs and startups, forming and building industry partnerships, and supporting students to turn creative ideas into business opportunities.”

“I’m looking forward to the meaty challenges of this role, in particular driving research impact and commercialisation generated through Cardiff’s new Innovation Institutes, and by nurturing exciting new partnerships in the University’s incubator facilities. Cardiff Innovations, based in the new sbarc|spark building, and the Medicentre offer a fantastic environment for our spin-outs and also external high-tech companies which see the advantages of co-location alongside our world-class researchers.”

“I’ll also be working closely with the SETsquared Partnership to develop our relationship further. The business incubator and enterprise partnership comprise of six research-intensive universities – Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey – and is dedicated to taking research to market.”

In September 2021, Cardiff joined the SETsquared Partnership, bringing with it its entrepreneurial credentials, facilities and team. The recent appointment of Paul Devlin only strengthens its offering to not only the wider partnership but the Welsh business community too.

Dr David Bembo, Cardiff University’s Director, Research and Innovation Services, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to Cardiff. Paul’s track record of achievement in research commercialisation and technology transfer, coupled with his proven ability to collaborate with senior university leaders, researchers and external organisations, provides us with the impetus we need to grow our entrepreneurial activities and deliver innovation with impact.”