The role, which has been in development for the last six months, will develop objectives from within the University working closely with Innovate Cambridge to build on the significant momentum they have already created.
By leveraging the University’s academic excellence and resources, the review will accelerate progress to ensure that growth benefits everyone. This includes advancing investment into the deep-tech cluster at Cambridge West and using health data and artificial intelligence to secure a competitive advantage in life sciences.
Announcing the appointment, Professor Prentice said:
“Cambridge is at a pivotal moment. The Government’s recent announcements of major investment in Cambridge highlight both the national importance of our innovation ecosystem and the expectations upon us to deliver. We have already made extraordinary contributions, producing education, research, spinouts, and life changing technologies, services and treatments that add £30 billion to the UK economy every year. Our ambitions are to go further still.
“I have therefore asked Roland Sinker to convene partners across the Cambridge cluster to translate a fully inclusive growth strategy into concrete actions. This work will extend beyond our immediate community to meet our national responsibilities, including leadership with others in the OxCam Corridor and our collaboration with Manchester.”
Roland will begin his role on 1 January 2026, with the review expected to run for 12 months. It will be a collective endeavour with partners across Cambridge and the wider region, spanning the full breadth of the innovation ecosystem, from deep tech to sustainability.
He will work closely with Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, and Peter Freeman, Chair of The Cambridge Growth Company, ensuring the University actively enhances the Government’s strategy for the OxCam Corridor and supports the work of the Cambridge Growth Company. The work will be overseen by a range of key partners and independent experts.
In welcoming the role, Lord Vallance said:
“I am pleased to have worked with the Vice-Chancellor and Roland Sinker on the Cambridge roadmap to deliver inclusive growth, and I warmly welcome this appointment. It shows significant commitment from Cambridge to push ahead with fast deliverables over the next 12 months. I look forward to working with them to get real momentum.”
The review will define how the University and its partners will collaborate with local communities to ensure innovation-led growth benefits everyone. This builds on the framework the University has recently set out to strengthen civic and community engagement.
The refreshed innovation and growth strategy will be underpinned by delivery against clear KPIs in each priority area, ensuring visible and measurable progress.
As the CEO of Cambridge University Hospital (CUH), Roland has worked closely with the University for the past 10 years. He also has a track record of delivering large strategic innovation projects, having been the NHS England National Director for Life Sciences.
Alongside his new role, Roland will continue to support work with CUH, spearheading philanthropic partnerships and major gifts to support the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital. He will also help drive strategic partnerships and investment to support the next phase of growth at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – strengthening its position as Europe’s leading centre for life sciences, research and innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Deborah Prentice, has asked Roland Sinker CBE, CEO of Cambridge University Hospitals, to lead a review into the delivery of inclusive innovation and growth for the University.
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