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 CreaTech innovation initiative and Creative Futures portfolioLink opens in a new window, ensuring Warwick can supercharge regional economic growth and impact for the Creative and Digital Sector across Coventry, Warwickshire & West Midlands.
I am an 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 am also Vice Chair for the BOALink opens in a new window (Birmingham Ormiston Academy) Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy Governing Board.
I am 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.
Simon Finley - Associate Director of Warwick Enterprise
As Associate Director of Warwick Enterprise, I work with our team to design, develop and deliver a portfolio of activities to inspire, educate and support aspiring student and graduate entrepreneurs at Warwick University.
I am an experienced manager and leader within Higher Education with a reputation for learning innovation and pushing the boundaries of traditional HE course design. I have particular expertise in the areas of digital/blended learning, work-based learning and entrepreneurship and enterprise education, having led a number of large-scale design and redesign projects in these areas.
I am also an experienced student enterprise coach and a strong advocate of active learning. I believe we learn best, not when sat back listening to the shared wisdom of others, but when we apply this knowledge to relevant and realistic situations, like those we might face on our entrepreneurial journeys. We learn from our successes and failures in these situations and as a coach I really enjoy helping students to reflect on this and how they might use this new insight to improve in the future.
Alexander McLeod - Start-up Coach
I bring 20 years of diverse experience spanning entrepreneurship, higher education, and corporate sectors across South Africa and the UK. My core expertise lies in designing and implementing innovative startup and venture growth initiatives. As a Fellow of Enterprise Educators UK, my contributions to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting ventures have been widely recognized.
I have led and collaborated with individuals across all organizational levels, from state institutions to private sector companies, ensuring impactful stakeholder engagement. My career includes managing operations, delivering enterprise programmes, and supporting founders through their entrepreneurial journeys. Having successfully navigated roles in consulting, innovation, and venture building, I am passionate about driving business growth and creating sustainable value for diverse stakeholders.
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
As a Digital Content Officer at Warwick Enterprise, I oversee the management and growth of key digital platforms, including social media channels, the Warwick Enterprise website, and the Startium CRM system to engage and support student and graduate entrepreneurs. I work collaboratively across Warwick University with academics, professional services, Innovation Fellows, student societies, and external partners to deliver impactful digital content and exceptional teaching and learning experiences that are student-centric. With a Master’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Warwick, I bring a passion for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to my role, inspiring and equipping our community to thrive in their entrepreneurial journeys.
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, public health and community work, education. 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, 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.