Prof Chris Brace has been appointed as Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Innovation - IAAPS). Reporting into Dr Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Innovation & Enterprise, this aligns the Institute more closely with the University's growing Innovation & Enterprise portfolio.

Effective from 1st August 2026, the change reflects IAAPS's successful evolution from a start-up initiative into a mature, industry-focused innovation organisation. IAAPS has developed a strong operating model since its establishment, including the appointment of Managing Director Rob Oliver to lead commercial delivery and operations and the creation of a thriving innovation environment at the University's Futures Innovation Hub on the Bristol and Bath Science Park. This state-of-the-art facility already hosts IAAPS core experimental capability and industry facing team.

Under the new structure, academic and strategic leadership of IAAPS continue to be provided by Prof Brace in the APVC (Innovation - IAAPS) role, which will also consolidate the importance of IAAPS within the wider university Innovation & Enterprise portfolio, led by Executive Director of Innovation & Enterprise, Dr Jon Hunt.

Dr Hunt said: "I am delighted to introduce this new model which positions IAAPS as a core element of the University's ambition to expand partner-facing innovation activity and develop place-based innovation hubs, designed to create economic and societal impact."

Prof Brace concluded his role as Executive Director of IAAPS at the end of July 2026, having led the Institute through a significant period of growth and development.

He said: "I am excited to be taking on this new role to both support IAAPS's continued success and to help shape the University's future approach to innovation, partnership and enterprise. At this time of unprecedented change in both propulsion systems and the energy networks in which they sit, IAAPS can support industry to develop the innovative technologies that are needed to decarbonise this hard-to-abate sector and contribute strongly to economic growth."