Appointed February 2023
Dr Umar Daraz, PhD, is a Director of Innovation at Birmingham City University (BCU). Educated at Harvard University in Disruptive Innovation and Strategy, Umar holds a PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Engineering from Aston University, funded by Exxon Mobil Chemicals, Baytown Texas (USA).
His expertise spans more than 20 years in senior investment and research and development roles across the public, private, and UK government sectors. He has a track record in shaping, influencing and driving large-scale disruptive research, innovation and growth transformation programmes in the UK, EU, Singapore, and China. He has led on developing healthcare research and innovation programs: Bio-innovation campuses, Materials Innovation Factory, Sensor City, and a Telemedicine Digital 5G Healthcare Test bed.
Umar holds various positions: the sole research and innovation advisor on the River Severn Partnership board – a £240m net zero infrastructure programme. He is also the Birmingham local lead for the NASA Space Apps Challenge.
Prior to joining BCU, Umar worked at the University of Liverpool, UK Government – Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), and Venture Capital Investment. His skills are in advising on strategy and propositions in high-growth sectors, artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital productivity, robotics, data, healthcare, life sciences, net zero energy, and personalised medicine.
Umar is passionate about elevating research and innovation strategies that deliver service-oriented impact, with demonstrable step change outcomes and a reduction in health inequalities.
Umar enjoys walking in the hills, tending to his garden, and playing tennis.