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
Michelle Huggins (Away from office)
Head of People Services
Michelle manages the HR, payroll and pensions functions, plus payments and IR35 compliance. She was previously UCL's Payroll Manager and is an associate member of the CIPD and full member of the CIPP.
Louise Hammond
Director of Operations
Louise manages the Project Management, People Services, IT, and Admin teams. She holds qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and Chartered Management Institute.
Dr. Giorgia Perli
Senior Counsel Corporate
Dr Perli has a background in commercial and corporate law. She has experience with cross-border M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, acquisition of distressed assets and PE investments.
Dr Christina Panaretou
Senior Business Analyst
Dr Panaretou is responsible for market analysis, technology / deal assessment and project valuations, including transaction valuations. She holds a PhD in cell biology and intracellular signalling.
Professor Geraint Rees
Non-executive Director
He is Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement). Geraint's research career focused on understanding the neural basis of consciousness using functional neuroimaging.
Tania Holt
Board of Directors
Tania is a Senior Partner for McKinsey & Company’s London office with global experience leading diverse teams and delivering transformative impact in the private, public and social sector.
Jessica Yuille
Board of Directors
Jessica is currently Executive Director of Strategic Finance at UCL, working in a job share with Stephen Glover.
Stephen Glover
Board of Directors
Stephen is currently Executive Director of Strategic Finance at UCL, working in a job share with Jessica Yuille.
Lucy Armstrong
Board of Directors
Lucy has spent over 30 years working with mid-corporate businesses to accelerate their development and success by focussing on stakeholder and management development and succession. Her experienc