Ian Brotherston | Deputy Director Innovation Funding
Innovate UK

Dr Ian Brotherston is Deputy Director for Innovation Funding Products at Innovate UK, leading the development and delivery of funding mechanisms that support innovative businesses across the UK. He brings a wealth of experience from across the innovation ecosystem, having worked at the intersection of knowledge exchange, commercialisation, and research throughout his career. His background spans roles in research and technology organisations, start-ups, academia, and government funding bodies. At Innovate UK, Ian has held several senior positions, including Head of Government Levers and KTP Programme Manager, where he led strategic realignments and operational overhauls. He has also served as Head of Enterprise Services at Heriot-Watt University, focusing on IP commercialisation, spin-outs, and industry collaboration. His leadership is marked by a commitment to enabling innovation that delivers both economic and societal impact, and he is a strong advocate for using public sector levers like procurement and regulation to stimulate innovation.