Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating innovation, manufacturing and technology. This special event brings together two of Cambridge’s most influential voices: Dr David Cleevely and Professor Tim Minshall.
Where: Garden Room, Square Café, SJIC, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS
When: Wednesday 12 November 2025 between 5-7pm
Booking via Eventbrite is essential: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1760769401679?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dr David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET, serial technology entrepreneur and founding figure of the Cambridge Cluster, will share insights from his latest book. In Serendipity: It Doesn’t Happen by Accident, David Cleevely – telecoms pioneer, deep tech investor, and one of the architects of the Cambridge tech cluster – offers a powerful new perspective on innovation. Far from being the product of luck or inspiration alone, he shows how breakthroughs emerge from the interplay of networks, feedback loops, and well – designed environments.
Professor Tim Minshall, inaugural Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation and Head of the University of Cambridge, Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), will discuss themes from his acclaimed new book Your Life Is Manufactured, an illuminating journey through the world of manufacturing and its transformational influence on our lives – and the world around us.
Agenda:
Event agenda (5:00–7:00pm)
Welcome drinks & networking
Introduction to Event Sponsor Wilson Partners
Barnaby Perks, CEO, St John’s Innovation Centre
Author Talk
David Cleevely CBE
Author Talk
Professor Tim Minshall
Moderated Q&A
Moderated by Barnaby Perks
Networking Reception
Location: Garden Room, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge
Date: 12 November 2025
Tickets: Eventbrite registration required
About the Speakers
Dr David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET is a serial technology entrepreneur, international telecoms expert, and one of the founding fathers of the world-renowned Cambridge Cluster.
A super-angel investor, self-confessed technophile and significant Government adviser, David has been central to the innovative Cambridge ecosystem for several decades, contributing significantly to the city being crowned the UK’s centre of Science, Innovation and Technology.
As founder of Cambridge Angels, Chair of the Enterprise Committee for the Royal Academy of Engineering and through his involvement with Cambridge University’s impulse Programme for high-potential tech entrepreneurs, David has helped new generations of startups, in both academia and industry, gain global traction.
As an entrepreneur, he has founded a series of companies including Abcam, Analysys, and the award-winning restaurant Bocca di Lupo. He also co-founded Cambridge Network, Cambridge Science Centre, Cambridge Wireless, Cambridge Angels and Cambridge Ahead – and is additionally Chair of Chemify (a Glasgow University spin out founded with Professor Lee Cronin), Focal Point Positioning, and the Royal Academy of Engineering Policy Fellowships Working Group.
His previous positions include Chair of the Raspberry Pi Foundation; Founding Director of the Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge; Vice-Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review; Chair of the Cambridge Autonomous Metro (CAM) Technical Advisory Committee; and Chair of the enquiry into policy after Covid, the ‘New Era for the Cambridge Economy’.
For eight years until March 2009, he was a member of the Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board, and 2001- 2008, was a member of the Ministry of Defence DES-ISS (DCSA) Board.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Education by Bath University in 2022 and an honorary doctorate in Technology by Anglia Ruskin University in July 2023.
In 2013, David was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE, for his services to technology and innovation.
Professor Tim Minshall Tim is the inaugural Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge, Head of the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), Head of the IfM’s Centre for Technology Management (CTM) and a Fellow of Churchill Co. His research, teaching and engagement activities are focused on the links between manufacturing, skills, and innovation. His recent book, ‘Your Life is Manufactured’ was published earlier this year. He has lived, studied and worked in Cambridge since 1993.
This event is generously sponsored by Wilson Partners.