Mark Tock has been appointed Chief Operations Officer at the University of Warwick Science Park as part of a strategy to drive innovation across the West Midlands.
Tock, a life scientist with a PhD in Biology and a Masters in Business Administration, has joined the University of Warwick Science Park from Nexus Leeds, the Innovation Hub of the University of Leeds. He previously sat on the board of the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA).
The University of Warwick Science Park’s network includes its main site adjacent to the University’s main campus and sites at Blythe Valley in Solihull, Warwick, and Binley in Coventry. It works with businesses to support growth, innovation, job creation, and engagement with the University and works in partnership with the established Warwick Innovation District.
The Science Park will continue to work with the University of Warwick to foster collaboration between business and academic research. This includes access for major initiatives such as global innovation platform Plug & Play’s Mobility Platform, based at the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC).
Mark Tock, Chief Operations Officer at the University of Warwick Science Park said: “The University of Warwick Science Park is already highly regarded both as an institution and for the role it plays in the regional economy.
“It acts as an innovation hub, bringing businesses across the West Midlands together with cutting-edge research and development, whether at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Warwick Business School or any other internationally leading department.
“The world is changing at a rapid pace and there are some immediate and fundamental challenges before us – for example, Net Zero, economic growth and productivity, advanced manufacturing, and automation. These are challenges, but also exceptional opportunities.
“It is therefore an exciting time for the Science Park, and I am looking forward to playing a key role in its future development and contributing to solving these challenges across both Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.”
Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick said: “Mark is a highly experienced operator, and his vision is completely aligned with the University’s ambitious innovation and growth agenda.
“The University of Warwick Science Park is a unique proposition within the West Midlands and an opportunity for local SMEs, start-ups, and established businesses to engage positively and productively with our world-leading academic institutions.
“Under Mark’s leadership, those businesses based at the Science Park will continue to benefit from support to drive growth, innovation, job creation, and graduate retention across our region.”
