Kirsten Masson leads the Innovation and Growth team at St John’s Innovation Centre and is part of the senior leadership team. She has a 30 year track record in innovation and business support. Kirsten oversees all the innovation programmes run by St John’s Innovation Centre. Nationally she leads on the Innovate UK Investment Readiness offering supporting companies to raise equity finance. She also leads work with the European Business Network and is a qualified assessor of the EU BIC quality mark for Innovation Centres in Europe.

Kirsten also oversees the St John’s Innovation Centre training offer specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship training both in the UK and globally. Previously Kirsten led a regeneration agency in London focused on business support, job creation, skills and training. She also ran her own consultancy business for many years.

In her spare time Kirsten is passionate about music and is co-founder of a Community Interest Community focused on using music for health, wellbeing and social good.