Gary Cutts leads Innovate UK’s Digital and Technologies domain, spanning AI, quantum, cyber security, telecoms, semiconductors, and creative. Within this, he plays a key role in shaping Innovate UK’s support for the UK’s fast-growing creative industries, with a focus on the intersection of creativity, advanced technology, and commercial innovation.
Gary is a globally experienced technology and innovation leader with more than 35 years’ experience across engineering, aviation, digital transformation, and strategic business development. Throughout his career, he has specialised in building ambitious innovation ecosystems, bringing together industry, government, academia, and investors to accelerate emerging technologies and unlock new markets.
Prior to joining Innovate UK, Gary held senior international leadership roles at Rolls-Royce, where he worked across the full product lifecycle, including establishing the company’s System Design function and leading major digital transformation initiatives within engineering. He has also served as a board member at CFMS.
Before taking up his current role, Gary was Director of the Future Flight Challenge, leading the UK Government’s £300m programme to develop digitally enabled aviation systems, including drones and Advanced Air Mobility technologies. The programme became a strong example of how emerging technologies, creative thinking, and cross-sector collaboration can combine to create entirely new industries and markets.
Gary is passionate about using innovation to drive economic growth and societal impact, particularly through programmes that connect cutting-edge technology with the UK’s world-leading creative capability.