Prof Mandy Parkinson
º£½ÇÂÒÂ× Business School
Current positions
Professor of Business Innovation
Biography
Professor Mandy Parkinson is Associate Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor for Knowledge Exchange at the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×.
She provides strategic leadership for the University’s knowledge exchange and innovation agenda, overseeing the development of frameworks, partnerships, and delivery models that connect research, education, industry, government, and civic organisations. Her work focuses on enabling the effective translation of knowledge into economic, social, and civic impact.
Professor Parkinson’s research and professional practice span knowledge exchange, innovation ecosystems, organisational innovation, and digital transformation, with a particular interest in place‑based and system‑level approaches to collaboration. She has extensive experience designing and leading large‑scale partnership models that support business growth, public sector innovation, and inclusive regional development.
Alongside her academic leadership role, Professor Parkinson works closely with regional and national stakeholders to shape innovation strategy, funding, and delivery, supporting organisations to build capability, adopt new technologies, and respond to complex societal challenges.
Prior Achievements:
Prior to joining º£½ÇÂÒÂ×, held the role of Director of the Centre for Enterprise. As Director of Centre for Enterprise, led the growth of provision to over 16 research and innovation programmes at a value of circa £45 million from 2017 to 2023.
Leading consortiums across 4 North West HEI’s, including University of Manchester, University of Lancaster, the º£½ÇÂÒÂ× and University of Bolton.
Established as the lead partner in 3 strategic consortium partnerships
In 2022/23 led the successful securement of investment in two Innovation Accelerator Initiatives (Innovate UK funded): Centre for Digital Innovation (£8 million) and Greater Manchester Electrochemical and Hydrogen Cluster (£5 million)
Areas of Research
Research interests include innovation and socio-technology: in particular how society and technology interact, an interdisciplinary approach that considers the complex relationship between people and technology.
Research and Innovation Expertise and Experience
Knowledge Platform lead for the Work in Small Enterprise platform within Decent Works and Productivity Research Centre (ManMet)
Principle Investigator for the following projects:
o Innovation Accelerator: Centre for Digital Innovation (º£½ÇÂÒÂ×)
o NW Cyber Security Connect for Commercialization (º£½ÇÂÒÂ×)
o Innovation Accelerator Greater Manchester Electrochemical Hydrogen Cluster (ManMet)
o Innovation Accelerator Centre for Digital Innovation (ManMet)
o Shared Prosperity Fund: E19 (º£½ÇÂÒÂ×)
o Eco-I North West (ManMet)
o Smart Cheshire Innovation (ManMet)
o Greater Manchester High Growth Network (ManMet)
o Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth (ManMet)
Co-investigator for the following knowledge exchange projects:
o MediaCity Immersive Technology Hub (º£½ÇÂÒÂ×)
o GM AI Foundry (ManMet)
o GM Cyber Foundry (ManMet)
o PrintCity Network (ManMet)
o Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (ManMet)
o British Council (ManMet)
Programme Director for the following initiatives:
o Help to Grow: Management (ManMet)
o OPENSME (ManMet)
Chapter Author: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Build SMEs’ Resilience Amid the Global Covid - 19 Pandemic. (Book: Research and Innovation Forum 2022)
Areas of Supervision
innovation
micro business
tech adoption
Qualifications
-
PhD
2016