Lou Cordwell OBE
Professor of Innovation & Special Advisor (Innovation & Regional Ecosystem) to The Office of the President & Vice Chancellor, University of ManchesterLou began her career working for WPP before founding Manchester-based digital design studio, magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK’s leading design and innovation consultancy, Magnetic, where Lou was Chief Creative Officer until the company was acquired in 2024.
Lou recently joined the University of Manchester as a Professor of Innovation and Special Advisor to the President and Vice-Chancellor. She also acts as an advisor to a number of other place based innovation projects and tech start-up / scale-up companies across the UK.
Lou was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to the creative and digital economy.
Latest News
Further funding awarded to support innovation in Greater Manchester’s foundational economy
The second phase of Greater Manchester’s Foundational Economy Innovation Fund has awarded a total of 15 projects with grants of up to £60,000 each. The foundational economy – also known as the “everyday economy” – refers to the parts of the economy people depend on...
Plans for new health building at University of Salford approved
Salford City Council has approved plans for the University of Salford’s new health building on its Frederick Road campus. Building work is set to begin in late October, with a target completion date of Autumn 2026. The new site will offer a health and wellbeing hub at...
Turing Innovation Catalyst launches second AI accelerator programme cohort to support Greater Manchester startups
Manchester's Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) has launched its second AI accelerator programme to support a new cohort of ambitious Greater Manchester startups looking to scale. The programme, which is delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise, supports the...