Our Staff
Dr Brent Jenkins - Chief Executive Officer
Dr Jenkins has a PhD from Oxford University and an MBA from INSEAD, France. He has worked in corporate planning and operational roles and was a senior consultant with an advisory firm specialising in commercialisation of new technology. Since joining Newcastle Innovation as CEO in February 2007, he has led a complete overhaul of the company's brand and the development of a renewed drive to serve our business partners and support the University's researchers.
brent.jenkins@newcastle.edu.au
David Fleming - Senior Business Development Manager
David Fleming is responsible for identifying, assessing and exploiting intellectual property generated by the University of Newcastle. He combines business development of the University's IP with financial management responsibility for companies controlled by Newcastle Innovation.
David holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. After holding management roles in multinational companies, he joined Newcastle Innovation in 2002.
david.fleming@newcastle.edu.au
Chris Kelleher - Senior Business Development Manager
Chris has 17 years experience in commercial management roles in the building, manufacturing and health industries. Since joining Newcastle Innovation in 2001 he has established three start-up companies and initiated licence deals. Chris' role is to identify, assess and exploit intellectual property generated by the University of Newcastle.
chris.kelleher@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Nagaraj Gopisetty - Business Development Officer
Nagaraj is the newest member of the Newcastle Innovation team. In his new role, he will be mainly responsible for engaging with the various academics and researchers within the Faculties of Health and Science and Information Technology. He aims to foster strategic relationships with industry, commercial partners and research institutes.
nagaraj.gopisetty@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Hadi Zulfiqar - Business Development Officer
Hadi was previously a Clean Energy Technology Consultant at Newcastle Innovation but is now the newest member of our Business Development Officer team. Hadi's role will primariy focus on the Engineering/energy and resources areas of the University. He will work with researchers to identify IP opportunities and foster relationships with research institutes and potential commercial partners.
hadi.zulfiqar@newcastle.edu.au
Kim Farrell - Executive Assistant
Kim provides administrative support to the CEO and the Business Development Managers. She assists them in the management of IP and Consultancy research agreements as well as commercial projects. Kim's role also encompasses Marketing and Event Management for Newcastle Innovation. She is currently Project/Administrative Manager for the PQA testing for the University of Sydney's Bachelor of Oral health Degree.
Kay Caban - Accounts Manager
Kay is responsible for the daily management of Newcastle Innovation's financial functions. She controls the accounts and investments at Newcastle Innovation, supervises payroll and provides financial information and assistance to Newcastle Innovation research divisions and spin-off companies.
Joanne Pigott- Accounts Assistant
Joanne is Newcastle Innovation's payroll and HR officer. She also provides administrative support to the Accounts Manager.
joanne.pigott@newcastle.edu.au
Renee Butcher - Administrative Assistant
Renee manages the reception, handles all enquiries and provides administrative support to the business team. She assists in the coordination of the OH&S management across our Divisions as well as providing support to the events management team.
renee.butcher@newcastle.edu.au
Dr David Nicolson - Senior Business Development Manager
David's role is to identify, assess and exploit intellectual property generated by the University of Nwcastle. Dr Nicolson has a PhD (Physical Organic Chemistry) in catalysis and coal derived fuels from Monash University and an MBA (Technology Management) from Deakin University. David has held senior executive roles in chemical engineering, biotech, pharmaceutical and agro-production companies and academic positions in organic chemistry.
david.nicolson@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Andre Urfer (Ph.D. Chem. from University of Basel, MEBM from University of Newcastle) - Business Development Officer
Since gaining his academic qualifications, André has acquired a proven track record as a technical specialist with strong analytical skills from over eleven years experience in the global resources industry, following over six years of academic R&D. He joined Newcastle Innovation in July 2009 in the role of Clean Energy Technology Consultant to provide technical advice and support to Enterprise Connect's Clean Energy Innovation Centre (an Australian Government initiative in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the clean energy domain. In July 2011, Andre took up the role of Business Development Officer.
