Marty Reid will become the Head of Engine Shed from January 2020.
Marty joins from Future Space, the Bristol innovation centre which is home to 50 science and technology businesses at the University of the West of England. As Centre Director, he has led Future Space to its full capacity, with tenant businesses raising over £10m of finance in the past 12 months.
Prior to this, Marty worked at Rolls-Royce for over 10 years in roles spanning business and technology strategy, global account management and service delivery. Before this, he enjoyed an international career in Canada, Japan, Norway, Finland and Germany. He has lived in Bristol for the past seven years and is a regular speaker on innovation and strategy.
Marty also takes on the role of CEO of The Science Research Foundation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Bristol, which runs global number one university business incubator, SETsquared Bristol, and Engine Shed.
Dr Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Bristol said, “I’m delighted that Marty Reid is joining us to lead Engine Shed at this exciting time in its development. He brings the blend of qualities and experience that we need to lead the next chapter of Engine Shed, which is a flagship for the University’s business and civic engagement work.”
He takes over from Nick Sturge who has led the Engine Shed brand since its inception back in 2013. Under Nick’s leadership, the enterprise hub has become a collaborative space for resident startups, scaleups, social enterprises and members, and has pioneered experimental projects to drive long-term sustainable and inclusive growth in the local ecosystem.
Marty said, “I’m proud to have been given the opportunity to build on the fantastic work that Nick and the teams at Engine Shed and SETsquared Bristol have achieved.
“In my time living in Bristol, the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem has gone from strength to strength and I’ve experienced first-hand the spirit of collaboration that runs through the city’s institutions and entrepreneurs. There is still much potential to be realised, not only in supporting business growth, but also in ensuring this translates into genuine economic benefit and lasting social impact. I look forward to progressing these discussions with anyone who has ideas on how we can work together going forwards.”
Nick commented, “This is an exciting time for the Engine Shed and SETsquared projects. I am proud to be handing over to such an accomplished and well-respected individual to design and lead the next chapter. Engine Shed and SETsquared need to evolve and develop in an ever-changing city-region ecosystem and as part of the University’s exciting new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. This requires a new skillset and I believe Marty has the right values and strategic ability to fulfil the potential of what we have created.”