Sophie Packer

About

Sophie Packer is an experienced project manager and innovation specialist with over a decade of experience supporting research, innovation, and business collaboration within the higher education sector. Currently serving as Project Manager for the Engineering Biology Mission Hub for Environmental Processing and Recovery of Metals (Elemental), Sophie leads the coordination of this national initiative by providing strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement, and delivery planning to ensure the Hub meets its mission of fostering impactful, interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Previously, Sophie held a key role as Innovation Growth Manager for the Growing Kent & Medway programme, where she supported plant-based food and drink businesses through innovation funding, research collaboration, and strategic business development. With a background in project and grant management, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise support, she has successfully led initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and industry, driving forward collaborative innovation across sectors. 

Key Areas of Expertise: 

• Strategic project and grant management within research, innovation, and enterprise settings
• Stakeholder engagement and business development across academia, industry, and government
• Facilitating research-commercialisation pathways, including innovation funding, partnerships, and knowledge exchange