The Ingenuity Programme began in 2016 as a business plan competition for the student and graduate population of the Haydn Green Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HGI) and the wider University of Nottingham. In 2019, we expanded into the wider university community, working externally across the Midlands, Malaysia and China, and were joined by our first university partner, the University of Warwick.

Today, the Ingenuity Programme works with 30 university partners across the UK and focuses solely on creating businesses with impact. We’ve supported some fantastic purpose-driven individuals and start-ups over the last five years and you can find out more about our alumni here.

We are committed to creating diverse networks across the UK, bringing expertise from industry and academia together with lived experience from local communities, in order to find solutions that deliver real change.

Meet the team

Elizabeth Smith

Head of Programme

Elizabeth oversees the delivery of the Ingenuity Programme, ensuring early-stage businesses receive the best support possible. She is committed to ensuring people are given the skills, training, networks, and routes to funding to help drive community -led action.

Craig Butterworth

Senior Project Officer

Craig ensures the smooth day-to-day running of Ingenuity, working with the Head of Programme to provide ongoing support for our start-ups. Craig also chairs the University of Nottingham’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network and is tackling climate change locally by growing his own veg!

Josef Bone

Marketing Officer

Joe is responsible for the content creation across Ingenuity’s social media channels, and supports the team to deliver programme communications. Joe is passionate about establishing greener, healthier and more cooperative modes of living in our local communities.

Tom Coogan

Academic in Residence

The Ingenuity Programme is supported by our Academic in Residence Tom, who takes our participants through a step-by-step process to find and validate their ideas. His research focuses on disability and identity within entrepreneurship, and works to ensure the programme is accessible to all.

Claire Donaldson

Learning Support Development Officer

Claire champions ‘the Ingenuity Process’, designing and delivering experiential learning and development opportunities and bespoke coaching and mentoring support. She is passionate about driving social change and creating meaningful positive impact for people and communities.

About us

Meet the team