Mackay leaves Bruntwood to join Innovate UK

Departing the post of chief scientific officer at Bruntwood SciTech, Kath Mackay has taken an interim position as managing director of the national innovation agency.

Mackay left Bruntwood SciTech – the joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and GMPF – last month, and has now revealed her appointment at Innovate UK, part of UK Research & Innovation.

She previously worked at Innovate UK, leading on the health and life sciences portfolio, before joining Bruntwood in 2019, first as MD of Alderley Park, then taking on an expanded role.

Mackay has worked prolifically as a non-executive director, with various sector bodies and organisations as Cheshire & Warrington LEP.

Posting on Linkedin, she said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved during my time there; helping to build innovation ecosystems and infrastructure, supporting the growth of science and technology businesses, and working alongside exceptional colleagues and partners across the UK.

“I’m now excited to be starting a new interim appointment as Managing Director at Innovate UK. Innovation, and growing R&D intensive businesses, has always been at the heart of my career, and there is huge potential ahead.

“Innovate UK has strong foundations and ambitious plans to help high-potential UK businesses move from breakthrough ideas to global scale, delivering real impact for the economy, society and UK citizens.”