The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) has welcomed a health innovation specialist to strengthen its health expertise ahead of a new health and wellbeing innovation centre that will be opening on the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus in 2025.
Dr James Allen joins the team to advance ongoing efforts of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership to build a pipeline of organisations wanting to connect with the health and wellbeing innovation centre and the wider National Health Innovation Campus to help drive innovation across the region.
Situated on the top floor of the second building on the National Health Innovation Campus and due for completion at the end of 2025, the new health and wellbeing innovation centre will act as an incubator for local entrepreneurs and growing companies in health and wellbeing arenas and will include offices, labs, co-working and event spaces and a Maker Space and Visualisation Suite offering access to bespoke equipment and facilities.
James will be responsible for establishing and developing the maker space and supporting new enterprises through technology adoption, including AR/VR, data analytics, proof of concept, AI, CAD and additive manufacturing, as well as collaborative R&D with academic researchers from the University of Huddersfield. An interim maker space is operating out of the 3M BIC until the new centre opens.
With a PhD from the University of Huddersfield, James brings a wealth of expertise in design processes and manufacturing methods.
Over the past seven years, he has gained extensive experience in industry working across various design stages, from research and development to manufacture and installation.
His PhD focused on design for wellbeing, and has contributed to international research collaborations, giving him a strong understanding of both academic and industry research environments.
Commenting on his new role, James said: “I am thrilled to join the 3M BIC and contribute to the development of the new health and wellbeing innovation centre.
“This is a great opportunity to support the growth of pioneering health and wellbeing enterprises by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like additive manufacturing and virtual reality.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with entrepreneurs and researchers to drive innovation that will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing sectors across the region.”
Sue Cooke, CEO of the 3M BIC, said: “We are delighted to welcome James to the 3M BIC team. His passion for driving innovation within the health sector, combined with his deep expertise in design and manufacturing, aligns perfectly with our vision for the new health and wellbeing innovation centre.
“James’ role will be instrumental in helping us foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, businesses and academic researchers to accelerate advancements in health technology and product development.”
James is offering free consultations to interested businesses seeking advice to advance their product development in health and wellbeing from the interim space at the 3M BIC. Interested parties can contact James on j.allen2@hud.ac.uk
Image by: Northern Exposure
