Cardiff School of Pharmacy innovator featured in photo exhibition to inspire women entrepreneurs

Cardiff School of Pharmacy’s graduate, lecturer and innovator, Jenna Bowen, is featured in a unique and inspiring photography exhibition that directly challenges the perception of what it looks like to be a female innovator in 2017.

Getty Images and renowned UK photographer Amelia Troubridge have partnered with Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, to host an exhibition which is part of Innovate UK’s infocus campaign, an initiative to encourage diversity in innovation and boost the economy as a result.

The exhibition is taking place between 18th – 29th July at the Getty Images Gallery in London and features Cardiff School of Pharmacy’s Jenna Bowen.

Jenna, a Cardiff graduate and lecturer within the University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, spun-out ‘CMD Ltd’ with colleagues from the University of Exeter in late 2014. CMD,a medical diagnostic company, is focused on making real the notion of precision medicine. Jenna and the team are developing an innovative diagnostic technology to help the medical sector deliver bespoke, personalised treatments for every patient. With healthcare resources under huge pressure, the need for this kind of smart approach to disease management grows day by day.

Speaking of her inclusion in the exhibition, Jenna says, ‘I am honoured to be one of Innovate UK’s women in innovation and hugely excited to be included in the Getty Images exhibition. Through the ages women have played a pivotal role in furthering knowledge and understanding and have been instrumental in delivering innovative solutions to real-world problems, however most people would find it difficult to name more than a few female innovators. This has to change; we need more role models for females of all ages and I believe that the Women in Innovation programme, particularly through the exhibition that features inspirational women from all walks of life, is a key step in achieving this.’

The aim of Innovate UK’s infocus women in innovation campaign, and the premise of the exhibition, is to not only shine a much needed spotlight on the UK’s most promising female entrepreneurs and future leaders, but also to help directly address a key barrier to female entrepreneurship: limited access to relevant role models.  Furthermore, with only 1 in 7 applications for Innovate UK business funding coming from women, the women in innovation exhibition will help to drive awareness of opportunities to apply for game-changing business funding, in turn, helping to pave the way for future, female-led, businesses.

The wider economic impact of addressing this gender imbalance is significant.  Research suggests that the proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men and that if participation is increased to equal levels, women-led SMEs could potentially contribute a massive £180bn GVA to the UK by 2025.