Derek Waddell

BA (Hons), MIMgt

Chief Executive Officer, Edinburgh Research and Innovation Limited
Director of Research Services and Commercialisation, University of Edinburgh

Derek Waddell was appointed Director of Research Services and Commercialisation at the University of Edinburgh, and Chief Executive Officer of Edinburgh Research and Innovation Limited (ERI), at the end of October 2005.

Derek started his career at as a contracts executive in a major UK electronics company where he negotiated large development contracts with both UK and international clients. He joined UnivEd technologies (the forerunner of ERI) in 1988 as European Contracts Manager, where he helped the University to develop and grow its research activities with European sponsors. In his time at the University, Derek has also managed the ERI Business Development and Consultancy teams, and has led negotiations on many major licence deals and spinout company formations.

Derek is chairman of the Edinburgh Technology Transfer Centre, a Director of the Edinburgh Technology Fund, and a member of the Advisory Board for Interface - the knowledge connection for business. Within the University, he is a member of the Central Management Group, the Equity Management Group, the Company Formation Advisory Group and the Corporate Services Directors Group.