Gemma Cranston

Deputy Director, Innovate Cambridge

Gemma Cranston has over 18 years’ experience shaping and delivering innovation and growth across business, academia and the public sector.

Prior to joining Innovate Cambridge, she held senior leadership roles at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and at Pollination, where she developed commercially grounded strategies linking sustainability, finance and policy with business growth.

Her work has included designing and delivering multi-partner programmes, securing funding, and leading CEO-level taskforces. This includes directing the Sustainable Markets Initiative Agribusiness Taskforce, which brought together global business and finance leaders representing over £500bn in market value to develop cross-sector investment pilots.

Gemma has worked closely with company leaders, policymakers and investors in the UK and internationally, and is known for building partnerships that move from strategy to delivery. This includes co-creating the UK Catchment Management Declaration, securing endorsement from over 100 organisations, the UK Government and the then Prince of Wales, and helping to catalyse public–private water investment partnerships.

She brings a strong focus on collaboration, delivery and long-term, inclusive growth across the innovation ecosystem.