Dr Cathryn Hickey has taken up the position at the Applied Materials Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Company (AMRICC), which is being launched this month as part of the area’s new Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone (CVEZ). The CVEZ, which was announced last year by the government, is designed to capitalise on Staffordshire’s history of ceramics to explore advanced materials for use in industries including manufacturing.
AMRICC will feature a research lab, pilot plant and educational facility, and will join together science and business to capitalise on cutting-edge innovation. “AMRICC will play a significant role in the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, providing an international facility which translates materials, processes and technologies into real-world products through the commercialisation of innovative ideas,” said Dr Hickey. “It will offer an opportunity for inward investment, champion innovation and build a pipeline of talented people to lead and commercialise scientific breakthroughs by attracting students from across the globe.”
The centre is being established in association with international materials technology company Lucideon, as well as the local council and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. It will initially be based alongside Lucideon’s headquarters in Penkhull.
Lucideon’s chief executive, Tony Kinsella, said the company was “delighted” by Dr Hickey’s appointment, adding that she has “an exceptional blend of skills and experience to take AMRICC forward.”
Dr Hickey, who has a PhD in Organometallic Chemistry from Sheffield University, started her career at Esso and Shell UK before setting up a National Skills Academy from scratch.
