Industry leader appointed to head innovation for an ageing population Published on: 5 October 2017 Professor Michael Catt has been appointed as the new Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing. The former head of the ‘Healthy Ageing’ programme at Unilever’s Corporate Research Laboratory has provided strategic research and development contributions to multinationals, SMEs and start-up businesses engaged in improving health and wellbeing. He now brings his expertise to the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, which focuses on innovations to improve health and wellbeing through life. He is a member of the senior leadership team for the National Institute for Health Research Innovation Observatory at 缅北禁地 and a Professor of Practice in 缅北禁地’s Faculty of Medicine. said: “I am delighted to be joining the National Innovation Centre for Ageing driving research and development into one of the most crucial global challenges facing the world today; how to help our ageing populations live better for longer and maintain independence in later life. “The National Centre will play a pivotal role in enabling the development of innovations which enhance healthy ageing and generate significant benefits for the North East and national economy, establishing the UK as a world-leader in ageing innovation.” National Innovation Centre for Ageing Jointly funded by the Medical Research Council and 缅北禁地, the (NICA) was established last year to work across academia, industry and the public to explore, test and bring to market products which promote healthy ageing and wellbeing as we grow older. To find out more about the work and discuss business opportunities contact NICA. The Centre will move into a new £50m national innovation centre in 2020 based at the heart of the innovation quarter at Science Central in 缅北禁地, UK. The £350 million flagship project is bringing together academia, the public sector, communities, business and industry. Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures