Jo Birch has clinched the chief innovation officer role at Woodbourne Group, a key anchor partner for Birmingham’s £360 million mixed-use Knowledge Quarter scheme.
Birch joins from Birmingham City University, where she was director for innovation, enterprise and employability. In that role she developed partnerships in creativity, sustainability and health, Woodbourne said.
As chief innovation officer, Birch will focus on developing strategic partnerships and build a "knowledge community", helping to expand the group's life sciences development pipeline.
Woodbourne added that she has been instrumental in shaping regional agendas and advocating for reinvestment in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands over the past decade, with "deep involvement across the innovation ecosystem".
Tani Dulay, chief executive of Woodbourne Group, said in a statement: “Jo’s appointment underscores our commitment to creating world-class life science facilities in Birmingham and driving regional growth. Innovation is at the core of our vision for Curzon Wharf and Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.”
Woodbourne Group’s Curzon Wharf development will make up part of Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter, which was the first site outside London to receive Investment Zone status. It will comprise circa 130,000 square feet of office, research and development and life science accommodation, in addition to 732 student flats, 265 residential co-living units and up to 498 residential units.
The recruitment of Birch follows the group's recruitment of Tes Adamou to head of life sciences and David Lupson as non-executive.