
Prof. Simonetta Manfredi
Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise
Simonetta leads the Directorate and works closely with the PVC for Research and Global Partnerships to provide leadership for the implementation of strategies, policies and to support activities that underpin the university’s ambitions for Research & Innovation as set out in the R&I Pillar of the 2035 Strategy.
She also works closely with the Associate Directors on the strategic development of university-wide policies relating to research support and governance, KE and impact and entrepreneurship.
She represents and promotes the university RI&E community and its activities regionally, nationally and internationally and engages in forums related to policy development at regional, national and international levels.

Bev Blackman
Office Manager & PA to the Director
Bev provides support and administrative assistance to the Director and teams. She also manages, guides and advises on various day to day processes (HR confidential personnel matters/recruitment/etc, finance, and general administration/issues, induction and IT), as well as managing the Director's diary and liaising with staff on her behalf.

Helen Roberts
Research, Innovation and Enterprise Finance Manager
Helen provides support and guidance to the Director of RIE and the Associate Directors with all aspects of management accounting and financial reporting. She ensures that the Directorate Funds are appropriately managed and provides overall financial control of the directorate’s budgets. She manages the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) and the Central Research Fund (CRF) budgets, as well as working with the RIE IP and Commercialisation Manager to ensure appropriate distribution of royalties, and to manage the financial aspects of the IP portfolio. Helen also provides post-award support for externally funded research and consultancy projects, as required.