Professor Graham Wren

Personal statement

I am a Senior Executive and Special Adviser to the Principal. My role supports the Principal, our industry partners and our academic teams. During my time at Strathclyde, my team and I have overseen a number of ambitious projects where in areas as diverse as renewable energy, aerospace, nuclear and pharmaceutical manufacturing. I was the initial Project Director for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) along with the Weir Advanced Research Centre, PNDC, ANRC, AFRC, CMAC, MMIC and others. The projects we have supported have grown to collectively raise over £1Bn to support research with industry and attract £M investments from across the globe. I sit on over 20 research centre Boards and University Executive Committees, and Chair the Professors of Practice community meetings - a distinctive and distinguished group of senior KE staff whose experience in business, industry, academia and public service play a key role in delivering the University’s Strategy. I have over 40 years of technology business experience, most of which has been spent in advanced technology and science areas - particularly in translating science into business. I worked with many international companies assisting them in business strategy, I was MD of the world’s first private sector full service forensic science service, ran Government laboratories and was also European Chairman and MD of the world’s largest power plant systems simulation company. I have sat on numerous committees including the SSAC, given evidence to UK Parliamentary select committees and represented the UK as a nominated expert to the OECD. At the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) I hold a Chair, supporting the senior officers and business school. I have contributed to a range of business engagement projects and worked to connect UK and Australian Industry to both UTS and Strathclyde.