Phillip Allen, Welsh Assembly Government

Interview with Phill Allen Senior Programme Manager for Technology, Science and Innovation for Business

1. Where did the idea for Innovation Into Action come from?

The Technology & Innovation team of the Welsh Assembly Government assists Welsh businesses, individuals and academics with a variety of advice and support aimed at developing new products new ideas and new technologies. It was felt that there was a need to provide an outlet to showcase the work and developments created by these innovative businesses by creating an environment which gives them an opportunity to build partnerships and broker deals with relevant organisations and individuals.

2. Who should be thinking about exhibiting here?

Those who should be exhibiting would include SME's, individual innovators, and spin out companies from universities who have a new and exciting product that they wish to showcase; and are looking for investors, buyers, manufactures or distributors.

This event will attract buyers, investors, Business angels and technology scouts who are interested in pursuing licensing agreements or partnerships with the exhibiting companies.

3. Why is exhibiting free & what is the key benefit for companies or individuals exhibiting at Innovation Into Action 2008?

So many new and small companies and especially individual innovators miss out at exhibiting at high profile events such as this due to the costs involved with buying an exhibition stand. This event gives a fair chance to all that are interested in exhibiting. The key benefit will be the opportunity for serious investors, buyers and manufactures to see products on display, where exhibitors can demonstrate in person the advantages and benefits of their product or service.

4. What can visitors expect from coming to Innovation into action 2008?

This new event will be an exciting opportunity to see the latest developments in Wales. There will be a variety of products on show from a number of key sectors, and a targeted audience that will have a genuine interest in building relationships. The brokerage element of the show will provide a further opportunity to set up pre arranged meetings with individuals and organisation that you are interested in meeting.

5. What are you looking forward to at Innovation Into Action 2008?

I'm looking forward to seeing a full hall buzzing with the excitement of people seeing new innovations for the first time and discussing serious business opportunities. I am particularly looking forward to the brokerage element that should take a number of products into the market place with strong partnerships being formed.

Biographical notes

Phill Allen is a qualified Electrical and Electronic Engineer and worked for Siliconix for twelve years primarily in Semi-conductor Design. In 1991 Phill joined Shanning Laser systems as Manufacturing Manager and was part of a MBO where he became Manufacturing Director responsible for the design and manufacture of medical and industrial laser systems. During his time at SLS Phill worked on major development contracts with United Distillers, M & S, and Vauxhall and was project leader for the Eureka 113 Carbon Monoxide laser programme in Cambridge.

Phill Joined the WDA in 1996 as one of the first Innovation and Technology Counsellors (ITCs) for Wales and was promoted to ITC Programme Manager four years later. In 2001 Phill worked on a project with the then Welsh office to evaluate the support for lone innovators in Wales and as a result created the Wales Innovators Network (WIN). In 2002 Phill completed a Masters of Science Degree and was promoted last year to the Senior Programme Manager for Technology, Science and Innovation for Business and has responsibility for the Innovation Technology Counsellors, Wales Innovators Network, IP Wales and Design Wales.