AUTM 2016 Board Director-at-Large (Non U.S.) Tom Hockaday Chief Executive Officer Isis Innovation Ltd Candidate s Background Tom Hockaday is the Chief Executive Officer of Isis Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford s Technology Transfer company. Tom joined Isis Innovation in March 2000 and became Managing Director in 2006 (this position became the CEO position in 2015). Tom has led the international expansion of Isis including establishing Isis Innovation offices in Hong Kong, Madrid and Kyoto, and a number of joint ventures in China. Tom s move to Oxford followed seven years in technology transfer at Bristol University, where he was Managing Director of Bristol Innovations Ltd, and four years previously at University College London, having started in 1989, the early days of university technology transfer in the UK. Isis Innovation is an international technology transfer and innovation management company. Established in 1988 to provide Oxford University researchers with commercial advice on patenting, licensing, spin-out company formation, and proof of
concept and seed funds, Isis Innovation has grown over the years and now includes the Isis Start-up Incubator which supports entrepreneurs, Oxford University Consulting which provides access to the expertise of Oxford University s academic researchers, and Isis Enterprise which offers consultancy to government, university and industry clients around the world. Tom has been involved in managing the Oxford University Challenge Seed Fund since it started in 2000. The initial 4m has been regenerated by successful exits and the Fund has invested 8m in over 100 proof-of-concept and seed investments. Isis also manages the Oxford Invention Fund which Tom is involved in and works with external managers on other seed funds. In 2003 Tom was Chairman of UNICO, the UK s university technology transfer association. In 2003 Tom was a founding member of the Praxis Committee in the UK; UNICO and Praxis have since merged to form PraxisUNICO, the UK Technology transfer membership association. International Tom managed the set up and growth of Isis Asia, setting up the company and office in Hong Kong in 2009. Isis Asia has now created four joint venture companies in China with local government and local investor involvement in Changzhou & Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, Liuzhou, Guangxi Province and Shenzhen, Guandong Province, and Tom has substantial experience in understanding China. Tom has advised numerous universities and organisations on technology transfer and innovation management, and spoken at conferences around the world. Tom has been a member of review panels at a number of universities: Cork, Ireland; Sydney, Australia; Tufts, Boston, USA; Stellenbosch, South Africa. In 2011 Tom was an invited international expert on a panel in Paris to evaluate proposals and allocate 900m of French government funding to establish regional SATT s - Sociétés d Accélération du Transfert de Technologie. These are the foundation of the French national technology transfer strategy.
In 2011 Tom participated in the founding meetings of GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) held in Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco. GIST is an initiative organized by CRDF Global, Arlington, VA and funded by the US Department of State. GIST s purpose is to accelerate technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in the MENA and Asia regions through global networking, entrepreneurship skillbuilding, mentorship and strategic funding. Tom has extensive international experience, involving invited keynotes & lectures, seminar presentations, review panels, in: Africa: Egypt, Morocco Americas: USA (Boston, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco); Colombia, Chile Asia: Australia, China (15 visits), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey Europe: Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain Middle East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman Professional Engagements UNICO Chairman 2003 (the UK trade association for university technology transfer) Praxis founding committee member (UK training association, university technology transfer) Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council - Strategic Advisory Network Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council Advisory Board Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) Emerging Technology & Industry Strategy Group Oxford Entrepreneurs Senior Member of University student society Oxford Entrepreneurship Centre Advisory Board Member Oxford Ltd non-executive director 2001 2011 (University brand licensing programme) Non-executive directorships a number of technology start-up companies. NB Isis Innovation announced in April 2015 that this will be Tom Hockaday s last year in charge at Isis. In late 2015 Isis will start looking for a new CEO, and when this person starts, Tom Hockaday will step down as CEO. He will continue with Isis in a part-time role involved in supporting Isis Enterprise in the UK and Hong Kong. Tom Hockaday has been at Isis since early 2000, on the Board since late 2000 and MD/CEO since April
2006. For the obvious reasons, we are currently planning to change the name of Isis Innovation Ltd, to a new name which will include the word Oxford and will not include the word Isis. We have been called Isis Innovation since 1988. Isis is a second name for various organizations in Oxford, based upon the associations with the river Thames. Whilst the change has not been fully ratified, it is likely to take place in the first half of 2016. Candidate s Vision Statement AUTM is the pre-eminent university technology transfer organization in the world. In the 1990 s I learned huge amounts of information at AUTM Meetings and gained huge amounts of experience from talking to AUTM colleagues at these Meetings. I have remained involved with AUTM colleagues ever since and attended AUTM Meetings from time to time. As a Board Member I wish to maintain and develop AUTM as the pre-eminent university technology transfer organization in the world. I believe AUTM should focus on meeting the needs of its Members and achieve this by listening to Members in North America and around the world, as well as focusing on making connections with the events, organizations and people involved in technology transfer outside the Membership. As a Board Member I wish to promote the AUTM vision of a better world by bringing research to life and pursue the AUTM mission to support and advance academic technology transfer globally. I will work with the Board to support the AUTM vision, mission and four core values in the following ways: It is essential for the technology transfer community globally to promote the positive impacts to people that derive from the technologies and expertise we help transfer from universities to society. This involves promoting both the stories and the data, selecting the right messages to the diverse audiences we address. This includes our universities; I wish to help universities understand the benefits of growing strong and sustainable technology transfer capabilities in their institutions. The AUTM meetings are outstanding professional development events and help technology transfer professionals develop networks for life. The most effective
events will be delivered through listening to Members and understanding and identifying their needs and aspirations. I will support AUTM in continuing to develop events and on-line platforms that develop skills, promote the culture of sharing of information and knowledge, and ensure all understand the importance of professionalism and ethical behavior. As Non-U.S., At-Large Member I wish to promote AUTM around the world and connect AUTM with the existing and evolving technology transfer networks around the world. My base in Europe and experience all over the world will enable me to do this. Technology knows no boundaries and technology transfer is an increasingly global activity. AUTM Members should have access to support advice and expertise from fellow technology transfer professionals around the world. I am committed to fulfil the general responsibilities of an AUTM Board Member as well as the specific responsibilities of the position of Non-U.S., At-Large Member. I am well-respected in the Technology Transfer profession, having been involved since 1989 and holding leadership positions. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of the finances of a business, having led the growth of Isis Innovation since 2006. Leadership Tom Hockaday is a highly effective leader and manager, skilled in dealing with complex situations and divergent interests. Tom is one of the leading figures in the world of university technology transfer. He has led Isis Innovation Ltd at the University of Oxford since 2006, growing Isis into a world leader in technology transfer. Under Tom s leadership Isis has grown sales income from 3m to 24.6m, a staff level from 35 to 100 people, supporting the creation of 100 new companies, and with overseas offices in Hong Kong, Kyoto, and Madrid; and Isis representatives in Australia, Mexico and Oman. Tom has had full responsibility for leading the organization and managing the I&E since 2006 Strategic Planning Capabilities Tom has led the strategic planning process for Isis Innovation since 2006. This has involved developing Strategic & Operational Plans for the company in 2008, 2012 and 2015 and presenting these to the University of Oxford for approval. Tom led the strategic planning for the development of Isis international activities, and the establishment of the subsidiary company office in Hong Kong. Tom is Chairman of Isis Innovation (Hong Kong) Ltd.