Neil is Director of Enterprise within the Division of Research and Enterprise Development (RED) at the University of Bristol, with responsibility for the University's enterprise agenda. He directs the Enterprise Team in the development of education and training in enterprise and entrepreneurship, the protection of University IP, the support and development of technology transfer through licensing and spinout and early stage companies, including incubation, and improving the University's enterprise relations with industry and Government at a regional and national level. He also directs the Contracts, Project Management and Strategic Alliance teams within RED.

Neil has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Manchester and an MBA from Warwick and has in-depth experience in the commercialisation and transfer of University-based research and intellectual property, including the establishment of start-up companies. Neil has an excellent grounding in economic development and business support at regional and national level, as well as knowledge of high technology markets in Europe, Japan and the USA.

Neil was the Chair of Unico in 2006-7. Unico was founded in 1994 to represent knowledge commercialisation professionals in the UK and it provides a forum for exchange and development of best practice. Members transfer technology and expertise through the formation of spin-out companies, licensing, consultancy, training, design and development projects, contract research, testing and evaluation, and problem solving.

Neil chairs the management group of the SETsquared Partnership, which brings together the enterprise activities of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey.