Dr Rob Rule
As Managing Director of Techtran, Rob is responsible for the day to day running of the business. Rob joined Techtran in 2007 from Liverpool Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary of the Merseyside Special Investment Fund and an investor in early-stage technology businesses. Prior to that, Rob was Commercial Director of Micap PLC and played an integral role in the successful flotation of the company on AIM in 2003. Rob also has extensive blue chip experience with ICI and DuPont, encompassing various roles in business management, sales, marketing and R&D. Rob has a first-class degree in Chemical Physics from the University of Bristol, a PhD in materials structure from the University of Liverpool and a Business Masters degree (with distinction) from the University of Warwick.

E. rob@techtrangroup.com
T. 0113 384 5856
M. 07917 584354

Dr Laura Bond
Laura is an Investment Manager for the physical sciences. She has a background in Chemistry from Warwick, during which time she worked at GlaxoWellcome. After working for a spin-out company from the University of Vienna, she did her PhD with Pfizer GR&D at Nottingham investigating particle-particle interactions at the nanoscale. Laura subsequently worked on inhalation drug delivery systems for Quadrant Drug Delivery Ltd. in Nottingham before spending a year at Warwick Ventures working on licensing and spin-out opportunities from the University of Warwick. Laura joined the Techtran group in September 2005.

E. laura@techtrangroup.com
T. 0113 384 5855
M. 07855 771375

Dr Simon Graindorge
Simon is an Investment Manager with Techtran. Simon joined Techtran in 2006 following five years in biomedical research investigating articular cartilage and new generation technologies for partial joint repair and tissue replacement. Prior to this Simon worked at a gold refinery in Western Australia before returning to University to complete his PhD. Simon holds degrees in Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in biomedical engineering and has held editorial positions for tribology and medical engineering journals. Simon is a Chartered Professional Engineer, and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers.

E. simon@techtrangroup.com
T. 0113 384 5861
M. 07920 272441

Dr Andy Round
Andrew is an Investment Manager at Techtran. He has a degree in Process Biotechnology and an MSc in Environmental Microbiology where he worked on several industrial projects scaling up biological and biotechnology processes. Andrew then went on to complete a PhD as part of the DTI Postgraduate Training Partnership Scheme (PTP) and Leeds University, in using microbes as a delivery vehicle for flavours, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Andrew has been a key member in several start-up businesses one of which (Micap PLC) was floated on the AIM market in London. Andrew developed and Implemented a process scale up program ‘from the bench’ to ‘full commercial production’ for the Micap products. He subsequently managed several technical licensing programs for the Micap product resulting in the company’s first license deal for this product with a major flavour and fragrance company. After moving on from Micap, Andrew joined a global technology brokering and consulting company Yet2.com, working with companies throughout Europe and Asia to identify and evaluate technologies for their market potential, and develop licensing and acquisition strategies.

E. andy3@techtrangroup.com
T. 0113 384 5857
M. 07967 312940

Dr Cassie O’Grady
Cassie joined Techtran in June 2008 and has a background in assessing and developing Life Science investment opportunities. Cassie holds a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and a PhD from the University of Leeds. Her PhD focused on the development of new antimicrobial drugs, and following her PhD Cassie joined Photopharmica Ltd to successfully lead the development of the drugs she worked on into several clinical trials. More recently Cassie worked as Health Innovation Manager at the University of Bradford, where she was responsible for supporting investment, patent protection and business development of opportunities arising from the University.

E. cassie@techtrangroup.com
T. 0113 384 5858
M. 07976 385 223

Debby Hogben
Debby is the Business Support Manager for Techtran and its portfolio of spinout companies. In this role Debby is responsible for introducing a professional business infrastructure for each spinout company including financial, legal, company secretarial, payroll, IT and other support. Previously Debby has worked for blue chip companies such as Siemens A & D, Siemens Business Services and Boots The Chemists and is now bringing her commercial experience to bear in supporting the Leeds spinout companies.

Colleen Broomfield
Colleen is the Office Secretary offering secretarial help to both Techtran and the Investee Companies.