Liz Towns-Andrews is a chemist by training and has extensive experience of working at the academic-industry interface. She was Director of Innovation for the Science & Technology Facilities Research Council before joining the University of Huddersfield and led the development of the national science and innovation campuses in Cheshire and Oxfordshire.
She is 3M Professor of Innovation and Director of External Engagement for Huddersfield Business School, identifying opportunities for development of research activity and strategic partnerships. Until December 2020, she was Director of Research and Enterprise for the University and in 2013, received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion for establishing the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. In 2017, she was elected Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. She received an OBE in the 2020 New Years Honours list for services to Business, to Enterprise and to Public and Private Sector Collaboration and is the Regional and Business lead for the University’s major development – the National Health Innovation Campus.
Liz believes that her past experience and commitment to responsible leadership and management will be of value to the Business in the Community Yokrshire & Humber Regional Board. Liz is married to Steve and has a daughter Emma and outside work loves to spend her time gardening in her allotment, travelling and researching her family tree.