The Ingenuity Programme began in 2016 as a business plan competition for the student and graduate population of the Haydn Green Institute for 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

Claire Mulholland

Ingenuity Programme Manager

Claire leads on programme strategy, external partnerships and stakeholder relationships. Her background is in social impact, innovation and civic entrepreneurship education with expertise in project management, experiential learning, business and executive coaching and engaging with hard-to-reach communities and vulnerable groups. She is passionate about driving social change and creating meaningful positive impact for people and communities.

Mike Reid

Ingenuity Operations Manager

Mike manages the operational planning and delivery of the programme, looking after relationships with university partners, contributors, mentors, assessors and other stakeholders. He has previously worked managing community projects and is passionate about helping those who have most often been underrepresented.

Craig Butterworth

Senior Operations Officer

Craig ensures the smooth day-to-day running of Ingenuity, working with the Director to provide ongoing support for our start-ups. Craig also co-chairs the University of Nottingham’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.

He is heavily involved in his local community, performing in a musical theatre group and tackling climate change at a local level by growing his own fruit and veg!

Josef Bone

Marketing Officer

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

Tom Coogan

Academic in Residence

Tom is the programme’s Academic in Residence, 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 he works to ensure the programme is diverse, inclusive, and accessible for all.

Simon Mosey

Ingenuity Programme Chair

Simon is Director of the Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is responsible for governance, supporting the team to ensure the programme’s focus and activities align closely with the university strategy. He has led research projects, executive education, and community events within the areas of responsible entrepreneurship and social, organisational and environmental innovation.

About us

Meet the team