Professor Mike Capaldi

Professor Mike Capaldi took a leading role in the the initial funding application and development of the DER-IC project in 2019, alongside its former Chair, Professor Matt Boyle OBE.

He has been actively engaged in various relevant projects, including the Electrification Process Innovation Centre (EPIC), Zero Carbon Futures, the North East Battery Alliance, and the launch of Newcastle University’s Institute of Electrification and Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (IESAM), which will launch its first degree apprenticeship covering PEMD in September (BEng in Product Design and Development Engineer).

Prior to assuming his role at Newcastle University, Professor Capaldi garnered over three decades of invaluable experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in multi-national organisations holding pivotal roles with a strong commercial focus. Professor Capaldi transitioned into education in 2010 as Director of Innovation at the University of Edinburgh.

Professor Mike Capaldi’s key focuses in his new role align with the three key industry challenges DER-IC addresses through the network and its capabilities. This includes innovation and technology development, manufacturing scale-up and commercialisation, and skills and workforce development.