Jeff Skinner

Executive Director, Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at London Business School

Jeff Skinner is the Executive Director of the Deloitte Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School (LBS), a position he has held since 2007. In addition to his executive role, he serves as a Teaching Fellow in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, where he teaches various entrepreneurship courses, including the Entrepreneurship Summer School and the Innovation to Market experiential course.1 4

Background and Experience

Before joining LBS, Skinner was the Commercial Director at University College London (UCL), where he established its Technology Transfer division. This included creating seed funds and units to enhance consultancy and industry engagement, leading to the co-founding of over 30 technology-based spin-outs that collectively raised more than £30 million in initial capital.1 3 His earlier career includes roles at Hoechst Celanese Photonics in New Jersey and General Electric, where he managed photonics research.1

Contributions to Innovation

Skinner's work focuses on commercializing early-stage technologies, particularly those emerging from universities. He has been instrumental in developing co-curricular activities at LBS, such as competitions and the London Entrepreneurship Review. He is also involved in global technology transfer initiatives, having chaired the Review Committee of the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals and served as past president of UK and European technology transfer associations.1 2

Education

Skinner holds a PhD in thin film photonics from UCL and an MBA from London Business School. His academic background in physics complements his extensive experience in technology commercialization.1 4

Publications and Speaking Engagements

He has authored numerous teaching case studies related to university technology transfer and is recognized for his contributions to leadership publications on commercialization skills for academics and researchers. Additionally, Skinner has spoken at various international conferences, including TEDx events.1 3

In summary, Jeff Skinner is a prominent figure in entrepreneurship education and technology commercialization, leveraging his extensive experience to foster innovation at London Business School.