CPI appoints Professor Patrick Grant FREng, University of Oxford Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Vesuvius Chair of Materials, as Non-Executive Director 

Patrick Grant is one of the UK’s foremost research engineers. At Oxford, he has been the Vesuvius Professor of Materials since 2004, Deputy Head of the Mathematical Physical and Life Sciences Division from 2012 — 2014, and Head of the Department of Materials from 2015 — 2018. 

In that time, he has led groundbreaking research projects in a diverse range of fields at the interface between advanced materials and manufacturing. This includes the manufacture of supercapacitors and batteries, 3D printing, and new alloys for cleaner power generation. 

Patrick has played an important role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Oxford, he has worked with external funders to secure investment for world-leading applied research. He was also a founding academic of the Begbroke Science Park and is a Non-Executive Director of Oxford University Innovation. 

As a Non-Executive Director at CPI, Patrick will play a key role in deepening the company’s expertise networks in academia and in offering strategic guidance and support to CPI’s executive team. His knowledge of the material science field will be a significant boost to CPI’s existing work in that space, including in the company’s National Formulation Centre in County Durham, and The Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) in Greater Manchester. 

Patrick’s appointment enables CPI to provide even greater value to the founders, entrepreneurs and investors who CPI works with. 

Commenting on his appointment, Patrick said:

“I am excited to be joining CPI, helping to navigate the next stage of its journey and to increase the depth and reach of the impact it creates through fantastic science and engineering – for the region, the UK and beyond.”

CPI’s CEO, Frank Millar, said:

“We are excited to announce that Patrick Grant will join our board, bringing with him a wealth of experience in academia. He is one of the country’s most distinguished materials science researchers, whose knowledge and experience will strengthen our offering in the field. I’m looking forward to working with him to pioneer the environmentally friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing processes of the future.”

CPI’s Chairman of the Board, Jennie Younger, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Patrick Grant to the board. His track record of bridging the gap between academia and industry aligns perfectly with CPI’s mission to connect founders and entrepreneurs with the expertise networks they need to scale up. Working together, we can power a new generation of sustainable, home-grown innovation in materials science.”