New Managing Director appointed to lead advanced materials innovation centres
04 Nov 2026
The University has appointed Steve Foxley as Managing Director of its Advanced Materials Innovation Centres, strengthening its commitment to innovation and its ambition to become Europe's most inclusive and impactful innovation ecosystem.
Steve, who joined the University on Monday, 2 November, will provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership across the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) and the University's role in the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), as part of Unit M.
The appointment is a significant investment in the expertise and leadership needed to deliver Manchester 2035. It directly supports the University's ambition to become a powerhouse of innovation by accelerating the journey from research excellence to real-world impact, strengthening industry partnerships and creating clearer routes for businesses to access Manchester's research and innovation capabilities.
Steve brings extensive industrial and commercial experience. He was previously Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), one of the UK's leading collaborations between industry and academia. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 20 years with Siemens in senior international leadership roles.
His appointment comes at an important stage in the development of the University's advanced materials innovation capabilities. GEIC has an established reputation for helping businesses develop and commercialise graphene and related technologies. Meanwhile, the SMMC at Atom Valley Innovation District in Rochdale, developed in partnership with Rochdale Development Agency, is progressing towards specialist fit-out and operation in 2027.
Steve will lead the development of a more connected, commercially focused offer across both centres, building stronger industry relationships, attracting investment and supporting the growth of advanced materials and manufacturing businesses.
The appointment is an important step towards the University's ambition to create the UK's most connected advanced materials cluster, demonstrating how Manchester 2035 is being translated into practical investment, leadership and new opportunities for innovation-led growth.
Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation and Chief Executive of Unit M, said:
“Steve brings an exceptional combination of industrial leadership, commercial experience and a strong track record of working across industry and academia. His experience at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult makes him particularly well placed to lead the next phase of development for GEIC and our role within SMMC.
“Steve's leadership will be central to our ambition to create the UK's most connected advanced materials cluster, building on the achievements of GEIC and realising the potential of SMMC to support manufacturing innovation and industrial growth.”
Steve Foxley said:
“I'm delighted to be joining The University of Manchester at such an exciting time for advanced materials innovation. Manchester has an outstanding reputation for research and innovation, and GEIC has already demonstrated what can be achieved when academic expertise and industrial ambition come together.
“With SMMC now taking shape at Atom Valley Innovation District, there's a real opportunity to create something distinctive for UK industry. I'm looking forward to working with colleagues and partners to help realise the potential of these two centres.”