People in Innovation | A CPI podcast

About People in Innovation | A CPI podcast

People in Innovation: A CPI podcast explores the extraordinary and impactful stories behind innovation. From ground-breaking discoveries to the challenges behind the breakthroughs, we shine a light on the people driving change to create a better future for people, places, and our planet. CPI is a leading independent technology innovation organisation, helping companies and partners take innovative ideas from concept to market entry. As part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, we work across medtech, sustainable materials, pharmaceuticals, and agrifood to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. With a unique perspective at the heart of innovation, we’re bringing you the stories that matter, direct from the people making change happen. Join us as we uncover the human side of innovation—because behind every bright idea, there’s a story worth telling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

CPI

Category

business · science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Feb 2025

Latest episode

7 May 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 May 2026

   UK Bioeconomy and Engineering Biology: From Innovation to Real-World Impact

   Our podcast People in Innovation wraps up its Engineering Biology series by exploring how the UK can build a thriving bioeconomy, and why biology means business. In this episode, our host Steve Bagshaw, Chair of High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is joined by Tracey Taylor Preston, Sector Manager – Trade & Investment Engineering Biology, Bioeconomy & Agri-tech at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Sophie Walton, Director of Strategic Partnerships at CPI, to discuss what it takes to turn innovation into commercial success, connecting discovery, scale-up, manufacturing, skills and investment. They highlight how a joined-up ecosystem is critical to preventing technologies from “dying on the journey”, and why collaboration between regions, industry, academia and government is key to unlocking growth. From the role of infrastructure and supply chains to the importance of long-term partnerships, the conversation explores how the UK can move faster and compete globally. Despite the opportunity, challenges remain in translating innovation at pace and building the coordinated support needed for businesses to start, stay and scale in the UK. Initiatives like the BioIndustrial Cluster North show what is possible when the system is aligned. Join us for the final episode of season 2 as we explore the future of the UK bioeconomy, the importance of collaboration, and the steps needed to turn innovation into lasting economic impact. --------------------------------------------------- About this podcast: People in Innovation: A CPI podcast explores the extraordinary and impactful stories behind innovation. From groundbreaking discoveries to the challenges behind the breakthroughs, we shine a light on the people driving change to create a better future for people, places, and our planet. CPI is a leading independent technology innovation organisation, helping companies and partners take innovative ideas from concept to market entry. As part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, we work across MedTech, sustainable materials, pharmaceuticals, and agrifood to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. With a unique perspective at the heart of innovation, we’re bringing you the stories that matter, direct from the people making change happen. Join us as we uncover the human side of innovation—because behind every bright idea, there’s a story worth telling. --------------------------------------------------- Explore more incredible stories from our people on our social channels: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi Instagram – / ukcpi --------------------------------------------------- About CPI: CPI connects the dots within the innovation ecosystem to make great ideas and inventions a reality to benefit people, places and our planet. We’re a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialisation of deep tech and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Through our incredible innovation experts and infrastructure, we look beyond the obvious to transform healthcare and drive towards a sustainable future. As a trusted partner of industry, academia, government, and the investment community, we’re the catalyst for delivering smart AgriFoodTech, energy storage, HealthTech, materials, and pharma innovations. We believe by working together we can build a better collective future, and as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we facilitate access to world-class organisations to deliver transformation across industries. Creating lasting global impact from the North of England and Scotland, we invest in people and disruptive technologies to invigorate economies, create circular supply chains and make our world a better place. Let's innovate together: https://www.uk-cpi.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   26 Mar 2026

   Transforming Healthcare with Engineering Biology: From Lab to Patient

   Our podcast People in Innovation continues its Engineering Biology series, and this week we're exploring how it's transforming healthcare with cutting-edge technologies, like RNA vaccines and therapeutics. In this episode, host Steve Bagshaw, Chair of High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is joined by Antony Hitchcock at AGH Bioconsulting, and Philip Probert, Director of Biologics & RNA Centre of Excellence at CPI, to talk us through the journey from lab to patient. They also highlight how engineering biology is shifting healthcare towards precision, programmable therapies, accelerating vaccine development and unlocking new treatments for previously unmet needs. Despite major advancements in the field, challenges remain in scaling and manufacturing these therapies reliably and affordably, highlighting the need for facilities like CPI’s RNA Centre of Excellence and the UK RNA Biofoundry to bridge the gap and realise the full potential of this technology. Join this discussion on the future of healthcare innovation, the challenges ahead, and the opportunity for the UK to lead. --------------------------------------------------- About this podcast: People in Innovation: A CPI podcast explores the extraordinary and impactful stories behind innovation. From groundbreaking discoveries to the challenges behind the breakthroughs, we shine a light on the people driving change to create a better future for people, places, and our planet. CPI is a leading independent technology innovation organisation, helping companies and partners take innovative ideas from concept to market entry. As part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, we work across MedTech, sustainable materials, pharmaceuticals, and agrifood to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. With a unique perspective at the heart of innovation, we’re bringing you the stories that matter, direct from the people making change happen. Join us as we uncover the human side of innovation—because behind every bright idea, there’s a story worth telling. --------------------------------------------------- Explore more incredible stories from our people on our social channels: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi Instagram – / ukcpi --------------------------------------------------- About CPI: CPI connects the dots within the innovation ecosystem to make great ideas and inventions a reality to benefit people, places and our planet. We’re a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialisation of deep tech and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Through our incredible innovation experts and infrastructure, we look beyond the obvious to transform healthcare and drive towards a sustainable future. As a trusted partner of industry, academia, government, and the investment community, we’re the catalyst for delivering smart AgriFoodTech, energy storage, HealthTech, materials, and pharma innovations. We believe by working together we can build a better collective future, and as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we facilitate access to world-class organisations to deliver transformation across industries. Creating lasting global impact from the North of England and Scotland, we invest in people and disruptive technologies to invigorate economies, create circular supply chains and make our world a better place. Let's innovate together: https://www.uk-cpi.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   12 Mar 2026

   Scaling Engineering Biology: From Discovery to Real‑World Impact

   Engineering biology is a major strength for the UK, but turning world-leading research into economic value depends on the ability to scale. In this episode of People in Innovation, our host Steve Bagshaw, Chair of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is joined by Dan Wallis, Production Operations Manager at Azotic, and Alex Smith, Director of Biotechnology at CPI, to explore why bridging the gap between discovery and deployment is essential to ensure UK innovation translates into jobs, companies and supply chains. Using Azotic’s natural nitrogen‑fixation technology as a case study, the conversation explores how collaboration with CPI helped move the technology from lab‑scale to commercial readiness, enabling real-world impact in sustainable agriculture. We also look at the role of CPI and the wider High Value Manufacturing Catapult network in providing critical scale-up infrastructure, and why funding gaps and limited access remain major barriers for SMEs in the UK’s engineering biology sector. Join this exciting discussion on the possibilities ahead and the steps we must take to get there. --------------------------------------------------- About this podcast: People in Innovation: A CPI podcast explores the extraordinary and impactful stories behind innovation. From groundbreaking discoveries to the challenges behind the breakthroughs, we shine a light on the people driving change to create a better future for people, places, and our planet. CPI is a leading independent technology innovation organisation, helping companies and partners take innovative ideas from concept to market entry. As part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, we work across MedTech, sustainable materials, pharmaceuticals, and agrifood to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. With a unique perspective at the heart of innovation, we’re bringing you the stories that matter, direct from the people making change happen. Join us as we uncover the human side of innovation—because behind every bright idea, there’s a story worth telling. --------------------------------------------------- Explore more incredible stories from our people on our social channels: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi Instagram – / ukcpi --------------------------------------------------- About CPI: CPI connects the dots within the innovation ecosystem to make great ideas and inventions a reality to benefit people, places and our planet. We’re a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialisation of deep tech and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Through our incredible innovation experts and infrastructure, we look beyond the obvious to transform healthcare and drive towards a sustainable future. As a trusted partner of industry, academia, government, and the investment community, we’re the catalyst for delivering smart AgriFoodTech, energy storage, HealthTech, materials, and pharma innovations. We believe by working together we can build a better collective future, and as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we facilitate access to world-class organisations to deliver transformation across industries. Creating lasting global impact from the North of England and Scotland, we invest in people and disruptive technologies to invigorate economies, create circular supply chains and make our world a better place. Let's innovate together: https://www.uk-cpi.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Engineering Biology: The Next Industrial Revolution

   Host Steve Bagshaw interviews Clare Trippett and Professor Aline Miller about engineering biology's potential to revolutionize manufacturing and address global challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated strategy in this interview.

5. 

   13 Mar 2025

   CPI’s role in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and UK industry growth

   CPI and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult have been at the heart of the UK’s industrial strategy since 2011—driving innovation, accelerating high-value manufacturing, and transforming regions across the UK into thriving hubs of technology and enterprise. But how did we get here, and what’s next for UK manufacturing? In this special episode, our CEO, Frank Millar, sits down with Katherine Bennett, CEO of HVM Catapult and Steve Bagshaw, Chair of HVM Catapult, to reflect on CPI’s journey as part of the HVM Catapult network. They discuss the pivotal role of Catapults in de-risking innovation, supporting businesses, and driving the UK Government's industrial strategy. With many centres across multiple regions, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult provides a nationwide network of expertise, enabling companies to scale new technologies and compete on a global stage. This ecosystem also strengthens supply chains, creates high-value jobs, and positions the UK as a global leader in innovation-led manufacturing. As the sector evolves, the HVM Catapult remains instrumental in shaping a more resilient and competitive industrial future. ----------- Explore more incredible stories from people and businesses in innovation: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi (https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-cpi/) Instagram – / ukcpi (https://www.instagram.com/ukcpi/) Facebook – / ukcpi (https://www.facebook.com/ukCPI) Twitter – / ukcpi (https://x.com/ukCPI) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   6 Mar 2025

   The power of innovation centres in transforming UK manufacturing

   Bridging the gap between research and real-world impact is critical - especially in the pharmaceutical industry. But how do we turn groundbreaking ideas into viable products that improve lives? In this episode, Dave Tudor, Managing Director of Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre at CPI, and Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, discuss the importance of innovation centres in transforming UK manufacturing. They explore the role of CPI’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in driving pharmaceutical innovation, de-risking new technologies, and accelerating the development of next-generation medicines through digitalisation. The Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre is an incredible example of the power of strategic partnerships. Being strategically situated at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), alongside the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), and in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, CPI plays a key role in implementing governmental strategies to boost innovation and shape the future of UK manufacturing. ----------- Explore more incredible stories from people and businesses in innovation: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi (https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-cpi/) Instagram – / ukcpi (https://www.instagram.com/ukcpi/) Facebook – / ukcpi (https://www.facebook.com/ukCPI) Twitter – / ukcpi (https://x.com/ukCPI) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   27 Feb 2025

   Impactful investment with CPI Enterprises

   Impactful innovation take more than just great ideas - it needs strategic investment. In this episode, we explore how funding fuels ground-breaking advancements and drives real-world impact. CPI is an impact-focused innovation company with a clear vision: to build a healthier society and a cleaner environment, and CPI Enterprises is its venture capital arm driving this vision forward through impactful Investment. What is impactful investment and why does it matter? In this episode, Hannah Wade, our Managing Director of CPI Enterprises, speaks to Daniel Peters, CEO of MarraBio, to exemplify the perfect case of driving impact through investing in innovation start-ups. With a great vision for a more sustainable future, MarraBio is developing a platform technology to produce engineered multimeric proteins that mimic complex molecules such as human growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins. Learn more about CPI Enterprises and its impactful investments: https://www.uk-cpi.com/invest (https://www.uk-cpi.com/invest) ----------- Explore more incredible stories from people and businesses in innovation: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi (https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-cpi/) Instagram – / ukcpi (https://www.instagram.com/ukcpi/) Facebook – / ukcpi (https://www.facebook.com/ukCPI) Twitter – / ukcpi (https://x.com/ukCPI) ----------- Let's innovate together: www.uk-cpi.com (https://www.uk-cpi.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   19 Feb 2025

   An idea became a reality and CPI was born

   In this opening episode, we sit down for a conversation with Frank Millar, CEO, and Nigel Perry MBE FREng, board member and former CEO of CPI, to dive deep into the incredible 20-year story of CPI and the North East's transformation from the waning backbone of industrial Britain to an innovation powerhouse for regeneration and growth. How did it all start? What political and economic factors contributed to the creation of CPI? And how do CPI's humble beginnings compare to its impact within the current innovation ecosystem? Listen to this in-depth conversation revisiting 2003 to tell the the fascinating story of innovation that is CPI. Learn more about CPI’s impact: https://www.uk-cpi.com/blog/20-years-of-invigorating-local-communities (https://www.uk-cpi.com/blog/20-years-of-invigorating-local-communities) ----------- Explore more incredible stories from people and businesses in innovation: LinkedIn – / uk-cpi (https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-cpi/) Instagram – / ukcpi (https://www.instagram.com/ukcpi/) Facebook – / ukcpi (https://www.facebook.com/ukCPI) Twitter – / ukcpi (https://x.com/ukCPI) ----------- Let's innovate together: www.uk-cpi.com (https://www.uk-cpi.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,213,113

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.