Will Lovegrove

Background

About Will Lovegrove

I bring a broad perspective to innovation strategy, having worked across the full spectrum of technology commercialisation: as a founder and entrepreneur building ventures from scratch, leading digital transformation at scale (Universal Music Group), and now driving strategic university-industry partnerships. This breadth gives me practical insight into what actually works when connecting research with commercial impact.At UCL, I lead strategic innovation partnerships that connect world-class research with industry to drive economic growth and technological advancement developing sector-focused strategies that support and enhance the full innovation lifecycle - from fundamental research translation through IP protection and technology transfer, to seed investment, spin-out support, and scale-up partnerships with international corporates and high-growth SMEs. My approach is sector-agnostic but deeply informed by innovation expertise in frontier technology research, materials, space systems, quantum technologies and software engineering/AI.Previously at the University of Surrey I led Surrey, Warwick & University for the Creative Arts in securing £1.5M from Research England's Connecting Capability Fund for GAIN (Games and Innovation Nexus).Current Leadership Positions:Chair, Space South Central - Leading a UKSA-funded partnership of four universities (UCL, Surrey, Southampton, Portsmouth) to strengthen the UK space economy in Southern England. Chair, London Quantum Cluster - Building strategic partnership between UCL, Imperial College London, and King's College London to accelerate quantum technology commercialisation and establish London as a global quantum hub. This work combines innovation ecosystem optimisation, pan-university accelerator design, creation of bespoke/specialist incubation facilities, technology transfer coordination, and sector-focused VC engagement to create clear pathways from laboratory breakthroughs to commercial deployment, whilst remaining mindful of trusted research considerations given quantum's dual-use nature and national security implications.Deputy Director, UCL Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Centre (GITCC)- Strengthening bilateral innovation bridges between the UK and South Korea, with particular focus on collaborative industrial R&D and foreign direct investment. Coordinating launch activities including high-level networking at the British Embassy in Seoul, and creating programmes that enable researchers and companies to navigate cross-border multi-cultural collaboration.