QUBIS, the commercialisation arm of Queen’s University has announced two new appointments to its Executive Board. In addition to the new appointments, current Board member Helen Kirkpatrick MBE will take over as Chair of the Board.
Nicola Broughton joins as a Board member and is a highly accomplished business leader, entrepreneur and investor in the life science industry, Nicola has over 20 years’ experience in sourcing, starting and growing life science businesses predominantly from the University sector including executive and non–executive director experience.
On the appointment, Nicola commented ‘I am delighted to join the QUBIS Board at a time such high activity within the organisation’s spinout portfolio, particularly in the life sciences sector. I am looking forward to using my experience to give the spinouts that are emerging from Queen’s University the best opportunities to succeed.’
Eoin McMullan joins the QUBIS Board as a member of Senate and Chair of Convocation at Queen’s University Belfast representing over 180,000 graduates of the university. Eoin is a Qualified ACA with Chartered Accountants Ireland and is a Partner at Hill Vellacott, a chartered accountancy firm specialising in Advisory, Audit and Tax.
Eoin commented ‘The is an exciting time for start–up companies in Northern Ireland and some of the most promising and innovative are emerging from Queen’s. I look forward to working with the QUBIS team and the spinouts to harness the opportunities that are out there for companies that are using cutting edge research and innovation to create real world impact both locally and globally.”
Commenting on the appointments, Brian McCaul, CEO of QUBIS and Head of Innovation at Queen’s University commented ‘It is fantastic to welcome Nicola and Eoin on to the QUBIS Board. Their wealth of knowledge, experience and networks will be of huge benefit in helping us achieve our future ambitions in driving economic growth though our spinout’s successes. I’m also delighted at the appointment of Helen Kirkpatrick and chair of the Board. I wish to thank her predecessor, James O’Kane for his enormous contribution in his role as Chair, I am in no doubt Helen will assume the role fantastically.”