Dr Christopher Haley

Head of New Technology & Startup Research, Nesta

Chris leads Nesta’s research interests into how startups and new technologies can drive economic growth, and what this means for businesses, intermediaries and for the government.

Prior to joining Nesta, Chris worked for several years at Imperial Innovations (now part of IP Group), the technology commercialisation and investment company of Imperial College London. His role there focused on assessing emerging technologies and early stage investment opportunities, with particular attention to cleantech. Following this, he spent two years within Imperial College itself, developing and managing the institution’s strategy for enterprise, technology transfer and translation.

Chris has a first class degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, a PhD in History & Philosophy of Science, and a postgraduate diploma in strategy and innovation from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He has advisory roles with the APPG for Entrepreneurship, the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Enterprise Research Centre, the ScaleUp Institute, GEN UK and Startup Olé, and is a ‘Startup Europe’ Ambassador. In his spare time, he is a competitive target rifle shooter for London, England and Great Britain.