Brian McCaul , the chief executive officer of Queen’s University Belfast’s tech transfer office, QUBIS, announced today that he will depart the organisation at the end of this year.
McCaul confirmed that he would work closely with the team and board to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure that key projects related to investment and the development of the Innovate UK ICURe ecosystem are completed.
McCaul has led QUBIS since April 2014, positioning it as one of the top 10 tech transfer offices that generate half of all the spinouts in the UK.
He also helped launch the QUBIS Innovation Fund in 2021, working with fund manager Sapphire Capital Partners to create an investment vehicle that leverages two UK tax break programmes for investors: the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
Among McCaul’s earlier career stops were the University of Leeds, where he served as director of exploitation and commercialisation from March 2008 to April 2011, and the University of Liverpool, where he was director of business development from October 2003 to March 2008.
“QUBIS has become the most active private early-stage investor in Northern Ireland and one of the most active ICURe investors, with most deep-tech startups in the region emerging from our portfolio.
“I’m particularly proud of leading ICURe delivery via NxNW – the programme has supported over 1,350 teams nationally and our consortium accounts for 25% of the UK’s intellectual property revenue across a dozen universities.”
Brian McCaul
McCaul said he would remain involved in the innovation ecosystem upon his departure from QUBIS, adding that he would seek out board positions, advisory roles, and investment opportunities in deep tech and innovation-driven startups.
A search for McCaul’s successor is being led by recruitment firm Perrett Laver, with the closing date for applications set for 8 August 2025.