People
Paul Atherton
Paul co-founded Queensgate Instruments whilst still a graduate student in the Astronomy Group at Imperial College and served as Group Managing Director from 1986 until its sale in March 2000.
He is now an active angel investor and entrepreneur focusing on the commercialization of nanotechnology.
Paul is Chairman of five companies:
- NanoVentures Ltd – consultancy in Nanotechnology
- Infinitesima Ltd – Nanotechnology spin out from Bristol University working on Video rate Atomic Force Microscopy
- C2V B.V. a Microsystems and microGC company based in the Netherlands
- Nexeon Ltd – battery technology spin out from Imperial
- Midaz Ltd – compact high power laser spin out from Imperial
He is also:
- Non Executive Director Imperial Innovations Group plc
- Board Member Center for Scientific Enterprise Ltd (London Business School)
- Board Member Sussex Place Ventures Ltd (London Business School)
Additionally he sits on various Nanotech committees, and gives regular keynote talks on Commercializing Nanotechnology.
He was formerly
- Governor – London Business School 2001-2007
- President of euspen (European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology) 2004-2006
- Member of the Executive Panel of National Strategy Group for the Micro and Nano Manufacturing Initiative
- Special advisor to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Science and Technology
- Visiting Professor in Nanotechnology at Cranfield University
- Board member Sulis Innovation
Paul has a PhD in physics from Imperial College and an MBA from the London Business School.
Deborah Corker
Initially educated as a physicist at Oxford University from B.A. to D.Phil level, Deborah Corker was first known for her scientific contributions in the realms of ferroelectric materials. Focussing on PZT, first at Oxford University and later at the Nanotechnology Department, Cranfield University, she researched, taught and then managed EU nanotechnology research contracts.
In 1999 she left academia and founded euspen Ltd, the European Society of Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology. Working internationally, she wrote and managed EU contracts, coordinated international conferences and generated numerous nanotechnology courses. Within 4 years the society grew exponentially to 85 sponsoring members, including Philips, Sony, FEI, and ASML, and to over 500 individual members. In 2004 she stood down from the position to pursue a 1-year MBA course at Said Business School, Oxford University, focussing on finance and private equity. By October 2005 she had completed the MBA and achieved distinction.
In 2005, Deborah re-entered the workforce as an independent scientific and strategic consultant to both industry, academia and governments. She also pursues links to technology investment via her role as director and consultant at NanoVentures Ltd.