New Space Park Leicester CEO signals greater focus on commercial strategy

The University of Leicester has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to lead Space Park Leicester, its pioneering £100 million science and innovation park, reflecting a stronger focus on its commercial strategy.

The University has confirmed the appointment of Will Wells as Chief Executive Officer of Space Park Leicester from 2 June, taking up the role from his current position as Director of Commercialisation and Knowledge Exchange within the Research and Enterprise Division. 

Working at the juncture between business, universities and government, Will’s career has spanned senior roles in global corporations (Anglo-American and Cummins), the Civil Service and high growth SMEs.

Will led on the commercial and government engagement themes of Space Park Leicester’s development from the initial concept through to its delivery. Nationally he has been the architect and executive lead on major national innovation programmes, including the Space Research Innovation Network & Technology (SPRINT), VentureVersity and, latterly, Forging Beyond. He is director of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre Leicester. He has an MBA and is Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

He takes on leadership of Space Park Leicester as Professor Richard Ambrosi moves on from the role of Executive Director to focus his attention on the spinout company Perpetual Atomics, while continuing in his role as Professor of Space Instrumentation and Space Nuclear Power Systems at Leicester.

Will Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Space Park Leicester, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be leading Space Park Leicester in this next phase of its development and working with colleagues to deliver on our vision for a world leading beacon of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation for the whole institution. I am passionate about research and building partnerships that deliver impactful and inclusive growth for the University and our region. Beyond this, Space Park can lay claim to global reach and reputation, aligned with our international prominence in Space and Earth Observation.” 

Paul Gowdridge, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Leicester, said: “We are pleased to appoint Will to lead Space Park Leicester. We are confident his experience, vision, energy, passion for innovation, and commitment to fostering partnerships and impact will support our ambition for sustainable growth. I’d also formally like to thank the outgoing Executive Director Richard Ambrosi for his role in leading Space Park since 2021.”

Professor Sarah Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at Leicester, said: "I’m delighted to welcome Will Wells as the new CEO of Space Park Leicester. With his strong background in knowledge exchange, innovation support, and business collaboration, he is ideally positioned to champion our commitment to open innovation and to ensure that the benefits of space activity in Leicester are shared by all. His expertise will be instrumental in accelerating growth through strategic partnerships both within the University and Space Park Leicester, and beyond."