Nicola Blackwood, the former Minister for Public Health and Innovation and MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, and Jonathan Flint, the former chief executive of the University’s first spinout company Oxford Instruments, have joined Oxford University Innovation’s (OUI) board as non-executive directors.
Nicola Blackwood was Chair of the Science & Technology Select Committee while in Parliament. There, she led inquiries into the science budget, big data, digital skills, space and satellites, and how UK science would be affected by the EU Referendum. As Minister for Public Health and Innovation, she held a portfolio that covered life sciences, mental health, global health security, and public health. Since leaving office, she has taken up a number of board roles, and acts as an advisor to innovation-focused companies.
Jonathan Flint is the President Elect of the Institute of Physics and the former Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Instruments. He has held managing director positions at BAE Systems, Vislink and EADS. At present, Jonathan holds board positions with Stadium plc, the Oxford Trust, and now OUI.