EPSRC Deputy Director, Strategic Business Development
Dr Joanna Cox is the Deputy Director for Strategic Business Development at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Joanna’s focus is on strategic planning, communications and corporate development, leading on a number of critical operations activities including the preparation of corporate and strategic delivery plans, reporting and the oversight of major projects and business. She leads in EPSRC’s communication, data and evaluation activities and is the senior responsible person within EPSRC for environmental sustainability.
As an EPSRC senior leader, she has relationship management responsibilities with key strategic partnerships.
Joanna’s career prior to joining EPSRC has given her extensive experience and insight into the needs of the research and innovation community, and a deep understanding of the systems and drivers behind successful research and innovation programmes. Her early career was in biochemical engineering and biophysics at the University of Oxford where she worked as a researcher for seven years following completion of her DPhil.
After a period in early stage biotechnology companies, Joanna moved into research and innovation management at Royal Holloway and subsequently Cranfield University, where she was Head of Business Partnerships. She led a business development team which was responsible for generating over £20 million a year income for industry projects and secured two major capital projects. She also led their commercialisation and start-up facilities.
Joanna later gained experience in government relations as Head of Policy at the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Outside of work Joanna’s is a Trustee of charity supporting young people and has worked with several other charitable organisations to provide them with her development expertise.
Last updated: 31 March 2025