CEO, Unit M & Special Advisor to The Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester

Chair, Greater Manchester Business Board

Lou began her career working for WPP before founding Manchester-based digital design studio, magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK’s leading design and innovation consultancy, Magnetic, where Lou was Chief Creative Officer until 2023 when the company was acquired by Newton Europe.

Lou spent 2 years as Director of ID Manchester / Sister, where she led the project’s foundational phase including delivery of the Strategic Masterplan and new brand identity.

In January 2024 Lou joined the University of Manchester as a Professor of Innovation and Special Advisor to the President and Vice-Chancellor and co-authored the University's Regional Innovation Review. This resulted in the launch of the University’s new innovation unit, Unit M, and Lou stepped into the role of Unit M CEO at the end of 2024 to lead the team and its mission to help drive innovation-led growth for the region and the UK.

Lou also acts as an advisor to a number of other place based innovation projects and tech start-up / scale-up companies across the UK.

Alongside the day jobs, she is Chair of Greater Manchester’s Business Board (LEP) working in collaboration with Greater Manchester’ Mayor and Leaders to help drive the region’s economy.

Lou was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to the creative and digital economy.

@loucordwell