Mark our project director, brings over 20 years of experience as an operating executive and entrepreneur to Inventorium.  He focuses on seed, early and expansion stage ideas in the technology space.  Mark is experienced in on-demand and internet software business models, with particular background in SaaS, Cloud, Financial and Media technologies. He has held senior management positions in startups and multinational businesses in the UK, US and Ireland.   He is currently CEO of Nootrol, a green-tech business enabling multinationals to understand the sustainability and risks embedded within their supply chain operations globally.  Prior to Nootrol he led engineering groups in Oracle, Babelgum and Two Way TV where his team won a BAFTA for the most innovative interactive TV service for Big Brother 2.  He has successfully founded and exited his own software business and has also experienced the trials of failing in another startup.

Fiona Hyland is the Marketing Executive for NDRC Inventorium Project, Dublin. She is responsible for the marketing communications for NDRC’s Inventorium programme. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing the online and face-to-face communication and marketing strategies for the programme. Fiona is also heavily involved in the organisation and promotion of the Inventorium symposia and workshops. Sourcing and recruiting suitable delegates and speakers for the events is also a critical part of her role. Fiona has a degree in Marketing and Spanish, a postgraduate diploma in Marketing and a postgraduate diploma in Education. Previous to joining the Inventorium team, Fiona spent seven years working in London teaching secondary students and also working in the city as a marketing manager.

Jenny Dickinson is the Project Coordinator for the Inventorium project. Jenny has a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Liverpool, and joined CAST on her return toWales following a year in New Zealand. She spent a month conducting desk research into the health and safety training market, particularly in the transport and petrochemical industries and then joined the CAST visualisation team as a Project Assistant in May 2006, later becoming the Assistant Project Manager for the team. This involved planning for and monitoring projects to create 3D visualisations for local authorities, universities and the private sector. Jenny joined the Inventorium project in June 2010.

Martin Owen has a 40-year record of innovation and development, mainly in ICT and education. As part of the Inventorium team he is involved in the organisation and structure of Inventorium’s activities and working with stakeholders, especially in Wales. Outside of Inventorium, Martin works with DCU and others on innovation in science education in Europe. He has his own company, Smalti Technology, that develops radical new approaches to early learning and play. Previously he has been the Director of Learning at Futurelab in Bristol and lead learning technologist for icould.com. His early career was as a university teacher and researcher in learning with and through technology. Even earlier, he was a school teacher and a broadcaster. Martin’s main hobby interests are world music,  gardening and garden design, and walking.

Caroline joined CAST to oversee the day-to-day running of the Centre for Advanced Software Technology incubation centre in Ty Menai House, ( previously Technium CAST ).  She has supported the development of young high-tech and knowledge transfer companies and has extensive experience working across the SME sector. She was previously a Manager for the Welsh Government High Growth Programme and a business mentor and trainer at Conwy Council. Caroline’s background includes fifteen years’ experience in business banking for Barclays Bank PLC and she is accreditted with ACIB (Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers). Caroline works on the Inventorium project as a Business Liaison Manager, developing teams, nurturing novel ideas within digital technology and advising on funding opportunities. She runs the Wales Commercialisation workshops which are based on the Nesta Creative Toolkit, enjoys helping people solve problems and is community focused.

Dyfan Searell is the Industrial Design and Innovation Manager for Inventorium. Dyfan has a degree in Product Design Engineering from Liverpool John Moores University, and has a design and business background in innovation as a designer, manager, entrepreneur and consultant. As part of the Inventorium team he facilitates the activities in workshops and  works with collaborative groups to commercialise business opportunities.
Outside of Inventorium, Dyfan is director of Amalgam8 Ltd, a diverse design and media company, specialising in bilingual heritage interpretation and exhibition work. Previously he was designer and manager of the Menai Innovation Centre developing Welsh and Irish SMEs with 3DCAD, design and prototyping services, creating many new products and jobs. Earlier in his career he was involved in AV events production, automated commercial vehicle systems, and a high value bespoke furniture startup. Dyfan’s interests include outdoor activities, workshop crafts, industrial heritage and photography.