Bristol's co-working and event space Engine Shed has appointed a new head.
Marty Reid will take up the role in January 2020, taking over from current leader Nick Sturge.
Marty joins Engine Shed from UWE's innovation centre Future Space, where he has helped the centre grow to full capacity, with tenant businesses raising over £10million of finance in the past 12 months.
Marty worked at Rolls-Royce for more than 10 years before that in roles spanning business and technology strategy, global account management and service delivery.
Before this, he had 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 chief executive 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.
He 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.
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"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 said: “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 skill-set and I believe Marty has the right values and strategic ability to fulfil the potential of what we have created.”
Dr Jon Hunt, executive director of research and enterprise at the University of Bristol, added: “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.”
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