The name Indro Mukerjee carries immense respect within the United Kingdom’s innovation and technology landscape. Known for his exceptional leadership at Innovate UK and his long-standing contributions to global industrial sectors, Mukerjee has built a legacy defined by innovation, vision, and inclusivity. His journey from the corporate world to steering the country’s national innovation agency has reshaped how the UK approaches research, development, and business-led technology advancement.
Early Life and Education
Indro Mukerjee’s foundation in technology began with his education in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. His technical grounding was complemented by business studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he deepened his understanding of global management practices. This combination of engineering knowledge and business acumen prepared him to excel in both technical and executive roles across continents. Fluent in multiple languages and experienced in working across Europe, the United States, and Asia, Mukerjee quickly became recognised as a versatile and internationally minded leader.
Career Beginnings and Corporate Growth
Before becoming a public-sector leader, Indro Mukerjee spent decades building his reputation in the private sector. He began his professional journey at Philips Semiconductors BV (NXP Semiconductors), where he held senior positions including Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales, Chief Marketing Officer, and CEO of the Automotive and Contactless ID Business Units. His ability to combine technical insight with commercial strategy helped him drive business expansion and organisational transformation in highly competitive global markets.
Mukerjee was also a key figure at VideoLogic – now known as Imagination Technologies – where he played an instrumental role in guiding the company through its public offering. Later, he led C-MAC MicroTechnology Ltd, a private-equity-backed technology group, where he oversaw the growth and sale of three high-tech companies operating in the aerospace, automotive, and communications industries. Each success reinforced his status as a strategic problem-solver capable of turning struggling operations into thriving businesses.
At Plastic Logic PLC, Mukerjee navigated one of the world’s pioneering ventures in flexible electronics, focusing on the commercialisation of innovative materials and display technologies. Under his direction, Plastic Logic spawned FlexEnable Ltd, a spin-out company that went on to develop advanced flexible display technologies with wide-ranging applications. These experiences solidified Mukerjee’s deep understanding of high-risk innovation and commercialisation – skills that would later prove vital in public service.
Leadership at Innovate UK
Appointment and Vision
In May 2021, Indro Mukerjee was appointed as Chief Executive of Innovate UK, the United Kingdom’s national innovation agency. His appointment was viewed as a turning point for the organisation, signalling a stronger emphasis on business-driven innovation and measurable economic outcomes. Coming from a background rooted in industry, Mukerjee brought a fresh, commercially focused perspective to the agency, which had traditionally operated as a grant-funding body.
Strategic Priorities
Mukerjee’s leadership at Innovate UK was guided by several clear priorities.
First, he sought to de-risk early-stage innovation, helping start-ups and established firms alike navigate the uncertain early phases of product and technology development. Second, he aimed to leverage private-sector investment, ensuring that government-backed funding catalysed wider financial support from investors. Third, he placed significant emphasis on developing skills and talent pipelines, recognising that innovation could not thrive without a well-trained and diverse workforce. Lastly, he worked to promote inclusion, supporting under-represented groups and women in technology and entrepreneurship.
Driving Change
Under Mukerjee’s direction, Innovate UK evolved from a funding body into a key driver of business-led technological advancement. His strategy focused on uniting the UK’s research capabilities with private-sector efficiency and market understanding. By integrating academic innovation with commercial pragmatism, Mukerjee ensured that public investment translated into tangible industrial benefits. He often highlighted the need to bridge the gap between discovery and deployment – emphasising that innovation must not stop at invention but continue through to full-scale commercial impact.
Overcoming Challenges
During his tenure, Mukerjee faced the challenge of balancing inclusivity with efficiency. A notable moment came when the organisation was criticised for awarding fewer grants to women entrepreneurs than originally planned. Rather than deflecting responsibility, Mukerjee publicly acknowledged the shortfall and committed to improving transparency and outreach. His openness and willingness to learn from criticism reinforced his reputation as an accountable and principled leader.
Commitment to Skills Development
Indro Mukerjee’s dedication to nurturing future talent is a defining feature of his career. He co-founded the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF), an organisation that works to inspire and support students entering the field of electronic systems and engineering. Through this initiative, he has helped build stronger connections between academia and industry, addressing one of the UK’s most persistent challenges – the shortage of skilled engineers.
He also served for many years on the board of SEMTA (now Enginuity), where he chaired the investment committee overseeing the development of vocational and technical training programmes. His consistent advocacy for education, skills, and youth engagement demonstrates his belief that sustainable innovation requires not only new ideas but also the right people to implement them.
Global Experience and Perspective
One of Mukerjee’s greatest strengths lies in his global perspective. Having worked extensively across Europe, North America, and Asia, he brings a multicultural understanding of markets, regulation, and industry dynamics. This global insight has shaped his approach to innovation policy in the UK, where he has consistently emphasised the importance of international collaboration. He believes that the UK must position itself as an outward-looking innovation hub – one that partners effectively with global institutions while maintaining a strong domestic industrial base.
His cross-border experience also gives him a nuanced appreciation of how public policy interacts with business incentives. Mukerjee often highlights that successful innovation requires more than funding – it demands a coordinated system of education, investment, research infrastructure, and market access.
Transition from Innovate UK and Future Roles
After leading Innovate UK for more than three years, Indro Mukerjee stepped down from the role in 2024, having successfully repositioned the organisation for long-term impact. In March 2025, he was appointed as a Non-Executive Board Member at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), where he now contributes his expertise to sustainability and environmental innovation. His appointment to DEFRA highlights the government’s recognition of his ability to integrate technology with policy for broader social benefit.
In June 2025, he joined the BGF Deep Tech and Climate Advisory Board, where he continues to shape investment strategies that support next-generation technology companies. Through this role, he remains at the centre of the UK’s deep-tech ecosystem – influencing how capital and innovation intersect to drive growth in sectors such as clean energy, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence.
Leadership Style and Principles
Indro Mukerjee’s leadership philosophy can be summarised through five defining principles:
- Innovation through Commercialisation – He believes that innovation has value only when it creates real-world impact, emphasising execution and scalability over theoretical invention.
- Accountability and Integrity – His transparent responses to challenges reflect a commitment to honest leadership and institutional trust.
- Ecosystem Thinking – He approaches innovation as a collective effort involving government, business, academia, and society.
- Inclusivity and Diversity – He champions opportunities for all, recognising that creativity thrives when diverse perspectives are included.
- Continuous Adaptability – Mukerjee has transitioned seamlessly between sectors, demonstrating agility and resilience in an ever-changing global environment.
Lessons from His Journey
Indro Mukerjee’s story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers:
- Bridging research and industry is essential. The UK’s strength in scientific research must be complemented by strong commercial pathways – a vision Mukerjee advanced throughout his career.
- Investing in people is as important as investing in technology. His work with UKESF and Enginuity proves that nurturing future engineers is key to long-term growth.
- Inclusivity strengthens innovation. His advocacy for women and under-represented entrepreneurs demonstrates that diversity is not only ethical but economically vital.
- Public-private partnerships drive national competitiveness. Mukerjee’s hybrid experience across both domains shows how collaborative models can deliver lasting value.
Continuing Influence
Even after leaving Innovate UK, Mukerjee’s influence continues to shape national policy and corporate investment. His expertise in deep tech, climate innovation, and digital transformation ensures that his voice remains integral to shaping the UK’s economic future. As the country works toward increasing its R&D spending and achieving global leadership in technology, his emphasis on outcomes, inclusivity, and collaboration continues to guide the conversation.
Conclusion
Indro Mukerjee stands as a symbol of visionary yet pragmatic leadership in the modern industrial era. His journey – from engineering student to global executive, from innovator to national policymaker – demonstrates the transformative power of purpose-driven action. Whether leading private enterprises, public agencies, or advisory boards, Mukerjee has consistently advanced the cause of innovation not just as a concept, but as a catalyst for national growth, opportunity, and inclusion.
In a time when technology is reshaping every aspect of society, his work reminds us that real innovation begins with people – those who dare to think differently, build fearlessly, and lead with integrity. Indro Mukerjee’s legacy will continue to inspire engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders across generations who seek to make the world more innovative, equitable, and sustainable.
