Martin Hunt brings to the post a strong background in the MedTech sector. Martin spent nine years at American Cyanamid in pharmaceutical and medical device divisions in the UK and Germany followed by five years with ConvaTec, the device division of Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was latterly VP Sales for the chronic care (ostomy) business in Europe. His first CEO roles were in two early stage companies, including a start-up where he was able to secure offers of finance from venture capital funds. He left this company – Medical Technologies Limited – to join Tissue Science Laboratories (TSL) in 1999.

Martin oversaw the growth of TSL from a small, privately funded entity without a management team, revenues or infrastructure to the European and US launch of their proprietary collagen technology and successful listing on the AiM market in December 2001. By 2007, revenues had grown to £13m and the company was a leader in the use of biologics in a variety of surgical applications. TSL was sold to Covidien in April 2008.

Since the acquisition, Martin has built a portfolio of Board and advisory roles in the field of emerging medical technologies. His major interest is in using his experience and contact network to assist in the development and commercialisation of intellectual property in the life sciences sector.

Martin Hunt looks forward to strengthening the i4i programme by working closely with the research community to support innovation to meet the needs of the 21^st century health service.