Meet the Team

Head of Strategy and Government Engagement at Glass Futures (GF), Sarah previously led the £250m Transforming Industries Challenge at Innovate UK. In her role at FISC partner GF, she develops coalitions, programmes, and strategies for adoption of disruptive innovation.

With a background in materials science and engineering, she met Lucy (below) when she set up the Innovate UK Future Leaders Group which Lucy co-chaired. As part of this group, they wrote the business case for, and launched, Foundation Industries Ventures (FIVe) supporting startups and entrepreneurs to accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of disruptive, sustainable technologies.

When she's not in Parliament or convening industrial roundtables, you'll find Sarah out running with her dog or travelling the world.

"The FIs are essential to everyday life and underpin all UK supply chains, playing a huge role in communities and our economy, but manufacturing these materials currently comes at a cost to the planet. Having been part of the team that initiated FISC, and then worked closely with FISC through FIVe, we're already getting stuck in using our industry knowledge and expertise in strategy, commercialisation, and stakeholder engagement to build on the consortium's delivery of innovation in low-carbon, resource efficient solutions. Our focus will be on key markets including packaging, the built environment and energy systems, and using our convening power to create the market opportunities for innovative solutions."

Commercial Strategy Manager at Glass Futures (GF) has a background in materials engineering and sustainability and used to be Commercial Director at FISC partner the Material Processing Institute (MPI). She worked to transform MPI into a commercially-focussed organisation, established opportunities for spin-outs, and delivered FIVe whilst acting as Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Association Circular Economy Committee and the Transforming Foundation Industries Future Leaders Group.

A keen triathlete and strongwoman, you'll usually find her up a mountain or in a lake when she's not supporting industry to achieve net zero.

"Throughout my career, I've always worked in the FIs in one way or another. They're exciting industries to work in, with stimulating career opportunities, and the pending challenge to achieve net zero. But to be sustainable and reach net zero we need to change the way we do things - we need to advance new materials and processes and support sustainable innovation with quicker and easier pathways to commercialisation. We're excited to build on FISC's success and support and accelerate seed projects and innovation pilots across our world-leading centres. They have vast capabilities and expertise and can support industry and government to create the future sustainable materials that we need for everyday life."