University of Manchester Appoints Business Development and Strategy Director for Graphene

The University has appointed a Business Development and Strategy Director for graphene to attract some of the world’s biggest companies to partner with the National Graphene Institute.

Nathan Hill, who originally trained as a physicist before moving into sales and business management, will focus on strategy and business development for the £61m National Graphene Institute. This marks a pivotal phase in the engineering and commercial development of graphene as an industrial material.

Nathan has a background of working with industry, starting his career at Oxford Instruments where, as a Managing Director, he worked on thin film and bulk superconductors and semiconductor materials and devices. He has set up three companies, one of which, Qi3, has worked extensively with CERN, the European Space Agency, the Technology Strategy Board and UK Research Councils.

His most recent business is Qi3 Accelerator, which he set up to bring a selected portfolio of businesses to market, sales growth and profit by providing hands-on expertise and investment. The company is a syndicate of angel investors with over a dozen investments in engineering & manufacturing companies.

Nathan’s first goal will be to set up a graphene Industry Club and a number of strategic partnerships with major companies.

He will also work with senior University figures to develop a graphene strategy to ensure The University of Manchester remains the home of graphene research.

Nathan said: “Having lived through the development cycle of superconductor and semiconductor materials and devices, working with the great team and resources at Manchester was too good an opportunity to miss.

“I’m very much looking forward to supporting the next stage of making graphene a powerhouse for further research, manufacturing and jobs in Manchester”.

Professor Colin Bailey, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, added: “Nathan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of dealing with industry, and we are delighted to welcome him to the University.

“His expertise will prove invaluable in attracting some of the world’s foremost companies to work with the National Graphene Institute on creating the next generation of graphene applications.”