Before being appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise and Business Engagement) at Birmingham City University in January 2015, he was formally the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional Enterprise). He is a Professor of Knowledge Transfer as well as the co-founder of the Socio-economic Research & Intelligence Observatory (SERIO) at Plymouth University. Julian has an extensive track record in designing, developing and leading flagship programmes, projects and partnerships to unlock capital and revenue and connect innovation and talent, and engage Higher Education as a catalyst for change and growth at both regional and national levels to position universities as “anchor” institutions in regional economies.