Our people
Meet the expert team helping take your idea to market
We are innovators ourselves: scientists, academics and industry experts from a wide range of specialisms, which reflect the diversity of UCL’s academic disciplines.
Whatever your specialism at UCL, we have the right person to explore it with you. We build exceptional relationships, grounded in trust and understanding, and use our commercial acumen and skill to get the deal done - and to get it done in the best way.
Our independent Board
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of UCL, we’re able to act completely independently. We have a separate Board, comprising experts who have built successful businesses themselves and understand the worlds of venture capital and academia.
A highly experienced team with a specialist approach
Recruited from diverse backgrounds, our Business Managers bring commercial acumen, technical knowledge and creative problem-solving to really understand your technology, idea or invention and find its best route to market.
We also provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary in-house support from legal, marketing and IP protection to business strategy and project management, ensuring every idea gets the right focus at the right time
Our people
David Philips
Senior Business Manager
Cancer Institute
David brings 20+ years’ IP management/licensing experience from Oxford technology transfer and life sciences firms. His genetics and virology background includes GlaxoSmithKline and Mercury Pharma.
Dr. Harriet Story (away from office)
Senior Business Manager
Centre for Clinical Pharmacology
Dr. Story supports BioPharm opportunities across pharmacy, liver, digestive health and rheumatology, with NHS trust and technology transfer experience. She completed an interdisciplinary PhD at UCL.
Dr. Sara Garcia Gomez
Senior Business Manager
Medical School
Dr. Garcia Gomez supports BioPharm technologies across cancer, GOSH, pharmacy and rare disease, bringing IP assessment experience. She holds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Dr. Barny Cox
Senior Business Manager
Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Dr. Cox supports healthcare and life science IP. He held positions with the British Medical Association and two internationally-acclaimed patent and trademark firms. He holds a UCL doctorate.
Dr. Rick Fagan
Director of BioPharm
Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology
Dr. Fagan brings extensive cell biology, pharma and technology transfer leadership experience, including AstraZeneca, SanofiAventis and UCL Ventures. He holds a PhD from McGill University.
Marina Santilli
Interim Director of Physical Sciences & Engineering
UCL School of Management
Marina brings vast expertise in computer science, AI inventions and deep-tech venture building, including developing E-lucid. She graduated in Physics from Imperial College.
Dr. Mark Fisher
Associate Director
Global Business School for Health
Dr Fisher is responsible for the BioPharm patent portfolio and strategic business support. He brings more than 30 years' experience in life sciences and healthcare licensing and company development.
Ioannis Takkides
Analyst
Ioannis previously worked in data management for a disease forecasting company in London and holds an MSc in Cancer and Molecular Biology from Queen Mary. He joined the team in January 2026.
Chloë Howard
Digital Communications Manager
Chloë has been a strategic communications advisor since 2020, bringing more than 12 years' experience in CMS management, social media strategy and content creation, and SEO.