Meet the team
Meet the Team
Rachel Davis - Director of Warwick Enterprise
As Director of Warwick Enterprise, I lead the education portfolio for innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Warwick. This includes growth and integration of curricula and co-curricula provision as well as graduate start-up as a viable career option and broader support for alumni. As part of the senior leadership team for the Innovation Group I am also lead for the Creative Futures initiative; delivering inspiration, education, incubation and industry partnerships for the Creative and Digital Sector in the Coventry and Warwickshire region.
I am experienced educational developer with management and leadership experience in the FE and HE sector focussed on the creation of high quality innovation in teaching and learning solutions. I have applied my expertise within and outside of the curriculum; in the creation of physical and digital space to support learning, teaching and research; and through the development of strategy and leadership for institutional initiatives.
I’m creative, flexible and motivated by the potential to support positive outcomes for others and society. Launching and building Warwick Enterprise will be a significant vehicle for delivering such value and I’m passionate about working in partnership with students, staff, individuals or organisations who share this mission, in to make this happen.
Richard Groves - Enterprise Pathway Manager
I have worked at the University of Warwick for over ten years and my role, as the Enterprise Pathway Manager, is to create and build opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship at Warwick and to support our entrepreneurial students and graduates in developing their enterprise skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and the growth of innovative ideas. Our team offer one-to-one support and guidance for enterprising ideas, access to Warwick’s Innovation District and opportunities for development, funding, mentoring, and networking. Prior to working at Warwick, I spent the first part of my career working in student advice and guidance at the University of Birmingham before becoming Business Development Manager for the UK's leading provider of employment and support services for people with barriers to work, where my focus was developing business and partnership opportunities within the learning, skills, and education sector in the West Midlands.
Alexander McLeod - Enterprise Start-up Coach
I have been active in the secondary school entrepreneurship education and university innovation space, developing and implementing extra-curricular and digital initiatives that advocate entrepreneurship, provide enterprise education and foster entrepreneurial activity among young people. In my current role at Warwick, I offer guidance and support to students and graduates who want to launch their own ventures. My time spent working in the commercial sector saw me manage operations and strategy projects for clients in the education, transport, tourism and commercial fishing industries. I have experience in youth entrepreneurship, start-up support and business modelling.
Chris Wilkinson - Student Innovation Officer
Within my role, I design and deliver educational experiences for students to explore their passions, develop their skills, and help them establish spin out ventures and start-ups. I also work collaboratively across the university with academics, professional services, and student-led initiatives to allow each student to innovate and generate world-first ideas. All students should have the opportunity to engage in lateral thinking and learn new skills whilst tackling complex problems. Before joining Warwick, I lived and worked in six countries across three continents working with global partners in multiple industries. Outside of work, you’ll probably find me writing music, weightlifting, haunting your local café or – if you’re lucky – catch me performing stand-up in a venue you’ve never heard of.
Turlen Turcinbek - Digital Content Officer
With a Master's degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management from Xiamen University in China, I bring a diverse academic background to my role. As an entrepreneur, I have experience in designing business models, conducting market analysis, and executing business plans. In my current position, I help to coordinate projects and provide support to various departments. With a focus on social media marketing and community building, I drive student engagement and foster a sense of community within Warwick Enterprise.
Luciana Gaspar-Zamora - Enterprise Start-up Coach
I am an entrepreneur, a lawyer, a teacher, a project manager and a coach, and I enjoy all these roles. At Warwick Enterprise, I act as the first point of contact for students and graduates interested in entrepreneurship, from building business ideas to launching products/services and operating businesses. I support enthusiastic potential entrepreneurs in preparing their applications for our programmes; I mentor the active cohorts and guide them to the next stage. My role includes designing and delivering enterprise educational events throughout the academic year to build up the entrepreneurial skills of our students and build an inspirational community. Previously, I worked as a corporate legal consultant in Peru for over ten years. After two master’s degrees in the UK (LLM in International Commercial Law and MSc in International Trade, Strategy and Operations), I started Perubien Limited, an Innovate UK award-winning food start-up currently in the R&D stage. Additionally, I worked as a Projects Officer at Warwick Enterprise (2022) and Enterprise Consultant at University College Birmingham (2023). Currently, I am also an Associate Tutor at WMG, where I can disseminate my knowledge and experience in strategic international operations with post-graduate students. My approach includes incorporating sustainability and authenticity into business models and corporate operations at all levels. If these topics attract you, you can reach me at Luciana.gaspar-zamora@warwick.ac.uk
Luda Ruddock - Academic Partnerships Manager
I see my role as a liaison, coordinator and facilitator working in partnership with academic departments, professional services, core university functions, and students. The aim is to promote students’ creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship as part of their curriculum. This could be through interchange of experiences and knowledge, exploration of new ideas, co-creation of collaborative learning opportunities, or new pedagogic initiatives. Ultimately, developing capacity and prompting re-design or development of curricula across the university to stimulate students’ engagement with innovation within their own discipline and beyond. My educational background spans several disciplines: philology and pedagogy (BA; MA), public health and community work (MPH), education (PgCert; current PhD research). For most of my career I worked at international and local charities, funding agencies, and non-profits in the UK and abroad designing and leading multiple initiatives. In 2017 I moved to HE: teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, managing modules and courses (BA and Foundation), engaging staff in developing their teaching practice and curricula. If you also enjoy piloting new approaches, identifying unexplored opportunities and growth areas in existing programmes, and creating unique solutions, let’s talk.
Innovation Fellows
Adhurim Doci
In my humble opinion, I am a product of the time and effort invested in me by friends, professors, and mentors, who saw a 15-year-old immigrant kid with big dreams. As the Founder of Mapogos Capital, I’ve had the privilege of working with a talented team to develop an innovative architecture of Venture Capital, focusing on business turnarounds and transformational processes. Through my studies at Harvard in Financial Markets, I discovered my ability to be an architect of innovative solutions, which we are now implementing across our portfolio of businesses. I am passionate about bringing the best out in people. As a Youth Champion, I’ve helped foster children and delivered over 32 motivational speeches in London. I’ve failed many times, but I’ve also broken records, such as being the first-ever A* Economist at Harris Academy Battersea and, more recently, a Future Leader Scholar at WBS. As an Innovation Fellow, I am here to help businesses grow and pave a path for the next upcoming entrepreneurs from Warwick. In the end, my word is my strongest currency, and I value loyalty above all else.
Ankita Kapila
Hi, I'm Ankita and I'm in my 2nd year at Warwick. I'm really interested in human behaviour and business...hence my degree! I've also been a figure skater for 10 years and have mentored many young skaters within my community during my time at school and sixth form. I'm passionate about utilising sustainability and innovation to its full potential in all aspects of life, whether it be in mental health or entrepreneurial ideas. At Warwick Enterprise I am keen to merge these 2 ideas. Being a university student and having a new problem of financial worries to add to academic stress...it can be a lot. Hence why I would like to make mental health support more accessible to students on campus - especially through the MyWarwick app. This would involve working with technology and possibly utilising AI to automate or book counselling sessions through the app. When applying, this was an idea I was passionate about and something I would be thrilled to execute.
Arthur Duke
I'm a final-year History and Politics student at the University of Warwick. While studying at Harvard University, I discovered my passion for sustainability, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to address global challenges such as inequality, climate action, and sustainable innovation. This passion drives my approach to creating meaningful change through innovation. At Warwick Enterprise, I am excited to champion sustainability-driven projects and work closely with students and staff to develop entrepreneurial ideas that have a lasting impact. My role will involve collaborating across departments, creating digital content, and supporting initiatives that align with my commitment to sustainable development. To broaden my academic horizon, I spent an academic year abroad at the University of Connecticut, where I studied Economics and Statistics and completed a research paper in Economic History. Outside of academics and work, I am passionate about sport. I previously played for Fulham’s academy as a goalkeeper and continue to support the club to this day. I am also an avid golfer, representing the University and local clubs in tournaments, and I value the teamwork and discipline that both sports foster. Additionally, I play the alto saxophone and piano, enjoying music as a creative outlet.
Kusum Gurung
I am a final-year biomedical student with a keen interest in the intersection of life sciences and innovation. I am driven by the belief that change can bridge gaps in healthcare, science communication, and education, making them more accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. My previous experiences include working as a Research Intern in a Colorectal Cancer lab, contributing to a scientific editorial team for a children's journal, and participating in education policy decisions through the FED Learners Council. I aspire to leverage my strategic thinking skills to create solutions that enhance accessibility in these fields. At Warwick Enterprise, my ambition is for every student to engage with innovation, explore entrepreneurship, and realise their potential beyond traditional career paths. I aim to help students develop the skills to unlock new opportunities, expand their capabilities, and reach their full potential. Beyond my academic and professional interests, I am an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, a true crime podcast enthusiast, and passionate about fitness, including hiking and going to the gym. I look forward to learning from others’ experiences while helping them on their journey toward their growth and entrepreneurship!
Sophie Bearblock
My name is Sophie, and I am a Masters student at WBS. I am passionate about pushing myself to do new things that will expand my comfort zone and challenge me to gain new skills. I hope I will be able to contribute to making Warwick Enterprise an accessible and inclusive environment. I am excited to collaborate with my team and other students in order to support the empowerment of innovation across different areas.
Vishruth Jayaraj
Hi there! I'm Vishruth Jayaraj, a second-year Economics student and Innovation Fellow at Warwick Enterprise. My mission is to help fellow students turn their "what if" ideas into "why not" realities. I'm all about creating a space where creative thinking thrives and where we can explore exciting possibilities together, whether that's launching a startup or tackling real-world challenges. As the Warwick Sustainable Finance Society president, I'm passionate about blending innovation with sustainability. My goal is to build a community of forward-thinking students who aren't afraid to take risks and learn from successes and setbacks. As an Innovation Fellow, I’m focused on driving entrepreneurship and sparking innovation across campus. I’m here to empower students on their entrepreneurial journeys through mentorship, resources, and collaborative initiatives. When I’m not working on the next big idea, you can find me practising Mixed Martial Arts—because sometimes, you need to kick your creativity into high gear! I look forward to driving innovation with the Warwick community.