Bristol's Ultraleap brings in new SVP of engineering

Bristol-based haptic technology developer Ultraleap has announced the appointment of Rowena Innocent as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Engineering, a newly created role at the company.

Rowena brings a whole host of relevant experience to Ultraleap, having previously managed a team of 300 engineers across the UK, EU, USA and Asia. During her 30 years of experience at Spectris, Malvern Panalytical and General Electric, her teams have spanned early research through to product delivery and after sales support across a broad range of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, software and machine learning.

Rowena also holds an Aegis Professorship from the University of Bristol, working across the Faculty of Science as Honorary Professor of Technology, Innovation and Equality, where she has a broad remit to share her industry expertise through coaching and mentorship. She is also a Trustee for NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering), an initiative to respond to the UK’s shortage of engineers by transforming engineering education.

With a clear vision to become the most significant user interface company, Ultraleap is looking to scale its world-leading hand tracking and mid-air haptics technologies for a rapidly growing customer base. Reporting into Ultraleap’s CEO, Tom Carter, this new role will ensure a consistent and world class approach to delivering scalable enterprise-grade solutions. Rowena will also oversee the continual growth and development of Ultraleap’s engineering team.

Tom Carter, CEO at Ultraleap, said: “I believe Rowena will be a great complement to the excellent Engineering leadership we already have at Ultraleap, as well as to our Executive Team. Rowena’s breadth of experience complements the range of technical disciplines we have at Ultraleap. Rowena will be the perfect mix of fitting right in and bringing new approaches - I am excited for her to get started.”

Rowena Innocent commenting on her appointment said: “It’s not hard to see why Ultraleap would be an attractive opportunity for anyone. An exciting UK company operating globally, successful but still only at the beginning of what it can achieve, with fascinating technology that will deliver real impact – but what really got me was the people. From my first few conversations, I knew this was the place for me.”

Going from start up, to scale-up, to a profit-generating company are big milestones for a company and I’m looking forward to working with the team on this journey.”

Both Rowena Innocent and Charlotte Laband, Ultraleap’s General Counsel, will join the Executive Team from April 2022. Charlotte joined Ultraleap two and a half years ago and has guided the company through major company milestones including the company’s Series D fundraise and several of Ultraleap’s largest ever commercial agreements.