New Pro Rector for Commercial Development at Imperial College London

Edward Astle will explore opportunities for world-wide commercial partnerships - News Release

For immediate use
Friday 20 November 2008

Imperial College London has today named Edward Astle as its new Pro Rector for Commercial Development.

Mr Astle, 54, a senior businessman with broad international experience in the energy and telecommunications sectors, will be responsible for the initiation, development and delivery of commercially exploitable College collaborations.

He will lead the exploration of opportunities for science, medicine and education-based commercial partnerships around the world and, as Pro Rector, will be a member of the the College's Management Board, its senior decision-making body.

He takes up the role of Pro Rector, Commercial Development, on 1 December 2008.

Welcoming the appointment, Imperial's Rector Sir Roy Anderson said:

"One of Imperial's strategic goals is to reduce dependency as far as possible on any single source of income, so that we have the resources to sustain our mission of providing world-class research, teaching and translation of our activities.

"I am delighted that Edward will be leading our commercial development portfolio and that Imperial will be able to benefit from his broad experience in securing sustainable support for its academic mission."

Mr Astle said:

"I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to apply my business experience to support one of the world’s greatest universities. Imperial has already been successful in translating its academic excellence commercially and I look forward to working with the whole team to take this forward."

An Oxford graduate and INSEAD MBA, Mr Astle joins Imperial after seven years as a director of National Grid, where he combined a divisional role with corporate business development.

His previous career includes serving on two other FTSE 100 company boards, as well as chairmanships of two technology start-ups and one IPO. His international business experience includes the USA, Europe and Asia.

A full biography is available in notes to editors and a photograph of Mr Astle is available on request.

For further information contact:

Abigail Smith
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701
Email: abigail.smith@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Edward Astle

Edward Astle's career began with the engineering company Tube Investments, where he spent four years before moving into the European telecommunications sector in 1984, initially as a consultant where he led projects including major telecoms studies for the European commission.

He became Regional Director, Europe, for Cable and Wireless in 1989, then Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless Marine in 1993 before joining the main board as Executive Director and Chief Executive, International Services, in 1995. He joined BICC Communications as Managing Director in 1997 before moving to the Board of National Grid in 2001 as Director of Non-Regulated Businesses and Business Development in 2001.

Between 1999 and 2001 he also built a portfolio of three chairmanships and one non-executive directorship in the telecommunications sector with two start-up companies and two that floated on the London Stock Exchange.

About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 12,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk