Skills, Innovation & Inclusion in Atom Valley

Sarah has 25 years’ experience of senior and strategic leadership in Higher Education, at the interface between Higher Education and regional institutions with a focus on economic regeneration and inclusive growth. Throughout her career and across different locations she has focused on leveraging private sector, public sector and Higher Education resources for societal advancement—increasing productivity, enhancing social mobility, and driving sustainable growth in South Yorkshire, East Midlands and currently in Greater Manchester, with a particular focus on Rochdale. Sarah has been with Unit M since its inception – previously she held roles as Pro Vice Chancellor (Civic Engagement and Enterprise) at Nottingham Trent University and Director (Partnerships and Regional Engagement) at The University of Sheffield.

Inspirational and passionate, Chris Dobbs is Director of the Atom Valley Education Challenge Consortium (AVECC). With nearly 40 years in education, much of it in Rochdale, Chris brings deep local roots and a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for young people.

As Director of the Atom Valley Education Challenge Consortium (AVECC), Chris Dobbs is leading a programme that’s opening up world-class opportunities for Rochdale’s young people.

Working with every state secondary school in the borough and partners including Oxford and Cambridge, AVECC delivers year-round academic programmes, summer schools and skills initiatives – raising aspirations, improving attainment, and inspiring the future leaders, innovators, and pioneers of Atom Valley.

From professional football in the USA to building world-class education partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge, his journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring.

Ben is the group marketing director for Praetura Group. As part of the wider group, Praetura Ventures is an award-winning tech and life sciences focused VC, born-and-bred in the North of England. Praised for its early backing of northern success stories such as Peak, XR Games and Culture Shift, the Manchester-based VC has now become known for its ‘more than money’ approach to supporting early-stage founders post investment. Before Praetura, he headed up the marketing for Social Chain’s media division around the time of its IPO. Ben also co-founded the alternative co-working and event space Ziferblat UK.

Professor Lynne Bianchi is an established specialist in curriculum and professional development, innovation and research in science and engineering education in mainstream primary-secondary phases (5-14 years). Also the Director of the University of Manchester’s Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub, she draws on >25 years of experience to underpins sector-leading research, projects and transformative educational campaigns. Through sustained collaborations with STEM charities, learned societies and industry partners, she speaks to the importance of practical learning, real-world contexts and children’s questions as means to invigorate mainstream National Curriculum learning experiences in STEM.

Lynne is the Vice Dean for Social Responsibility & EDIA at the University of Manchester where she leads strategy for university-school engagement in outreach, public and civic engagement. She is an international speaker and holds a significant publication record, enabling her to be an expert advisor to groups including UNESCO STEM Alliance.

Holly joined the GM Business Growth Hub as Network Manager in December 2023, to build impactful referral and support networks for Innovative Greater Manchester Businesses looking to commercialise. She has a Biomedical Sciences Degree from the University of Manchester and a passion for improving talent, work and life in Greater Manchester. She is skilled at programme management and building effective partnerships. Most recently she worked in the innovation team at Bruntwood SciTech to develop a programme of events and networks to support the growth of life sciences businesses at Alderley Park and Manchester Science Park. She previously managed the Transpennine regional contract for the STEM Ambassador hub, working with private sector organisations, charities and education providers to link STEM industry volunteers with young people from schools and community groups across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, to inspire interest in STEM industries and develop employability skills of young people. Additionally she has experience of working directly in the cultural and higher education sectors.