Faye Holland will lead the groundbreaking partnership between two of the UK's leading innovation cities as the newly-appointed Cambridge x Manchester Partnership Director.
Faye brings extensive experience in the Cambridge innovation cluster to the role, having worked across communications consultancy, innovation and economic development over the course of her career.
She founded and directed cofinitive - a communication consultancy at the forefront of innovation - for a decade before selling and exiting the business at the end of 2025.
Faye is currently Chair of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce and has previously served as Business Board Member for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and as a Board Member and key contributor in other organisations involved in technology innovation and good growth.
Faye said of her appointment: "I'm thrilled to be leading this partnership at a time when collaboration across the UK's innovation ecosystems has never been more important.
"Cambridge and Greater Manchester are two of the UK's most dynamic innovation ecosystems and by working together we can deliver far greater impact than either could alone. I'm excited to work with partners across both cities to move quickly and define a model for collaboration that could be replicated across the UK."
Faye's appointment follows on from the launch of the partnership last year and the inaugural board meetings held in Manchester in February 2026.
Driven by the cities' respective universities and their innovation ecosystem organisations Unit M and Innovate Cambridge, the partnership aims to boost UK economic growth and advance inclusive innovation, while supporting the delivery of industrial strategy and local growth plans.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: "Innovation is at the heart of our Manchester 2035 strategy and our sector-first collaboration with Cambridge plays a key role in this. We are working together and using our respective strengths to create a thriving cross-city innovation network, helping to grow investment and deliver inclusive growth.
"I am so pleased to welcome Faye at such an exciting time for the partnership, and she joins us following an extensive career within the Cambridge innovation cluster. The partnership is a fantastic example of how universities can use their resources to contribute significantly to the economy, and we are all ready to work with Faye to drive it forward."
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge commented: "I am delighted to welcome Faye Holland as the new Director of the Cambridge x Manchester Partnership. Faye brings an exceptional understanding of the Cambridge innovation ecosystem, alongside a proven experience of convening organisations, championing talent, and strengthening regional collaboration. Her appointment marks an exciting next chapter for this strategic partnership between two great cities and universities."
As Director, Faye will spend time in Cambridge and Manchester and will be integral to both the Unit M and Innovate Cambridge leadership teams, and she will drive the partnership forward as it strives to pioneer a new model of place-to-place collaboration.
Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation at The University of Manchester, said: "The Cambridge x Manchester Partnership shows how universities can exchange knowledge, talent and assets and bring together their wider ecosystems to supercharge innovation and growth. Under Faye's expert direction, this partnership will produce real-world impact and provide an example for other cities to follow."
Dr Kathryn Chapman, Executive Director, Innovate Cambridge commented: "Faye has an outstanding track record of working with innovators and turning ambition into impact. As we move into the next phase of delivery, with strong backing from government, academia and business, her leadership will play a key role in strengthening research networks, supporting the growth of scale-ups and attracting further private investment."
The partnership is a major focus for both cities, backed by each's respective combined authorities, and has secured £4.8 million from UKRI Research England over the next three years and is bolstered by further investment from both universities.
Dr Simon Hepworth, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Research England, said: "Universities are driving the evolution of innovation ecosystems through bold new models of collaboration. The appointment of Faye Holland will help drive the Cambridge x Manchester innovation partnership forward and deliver successful outcomes for the country - to maximise opportunities for place-based innovation, economic growth, and as an exemplar for the wider HE system."
The partnership is connected at every level: University to University, innovation ecosystem to ecosystem, council to council, Combined Authority to Combined Authority and business to business. This multi-layered connectivity allows ideas, talent, investment and opportunity to flow between places and organisations.
To find out more about the partnership, visit: https://www.cambridge-manchester.com/
