Peter Waggett

Title

Research Director, IBM UK

Bio

Peter is the Executive responsible for the Strategic Partnership with the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). His focus is delivering the current programme and extending it into the future. Peter has worked with STFC for over 10 years and built up a team of researchers in the UK that deliver key elements of IBM's and STFC's research portfolio.

Peter was also the Executive responsible for delivering the UK part of the International Technology Alliance (a 15 year fundamental research programme for the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Army Research Labs). This programme explored fundamental research to enable collaborative defence operations and drew together over 30 research groups from academic institutes as well as public and private sector research groups.

In support of the strategic partnership Peter represents IBM on a number of groups including:

Liverpool City Region Innovation Board
National Timing Centre

Peter has a long term interest in concepts around Identity and currently chairs the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Standing Committee 17 responsible for all standards associated with passports, driving licences and bank cards.

Peter has presented on a variety of topics for audiences at IBM and other organisations, including biometrics, big data, quantum computing, innovation and disruptive technologies. He has briefed a number of local and central government bodies including the Cabinet Office and the Prime Ministers Strategy Unit and is currently an advisor to the UK's Home Office.

Peter has contributed to various academic research programmes in an advisory capacity. For example, he chaired the steering committee supporting the Aberdeen University-based hub of the Dot.Rural programme and is currently advising projects at Surrey, Manchester and Liverpool Universities.

Peter began his career as a senior research scientist at the Marconi Research Centre in Essex where he invented a novel radar sensor and designed remote sensing processing algorithms.

Peter received his Master's Degree in astrophysics from Jodrell Bank, University of Manchester; his Ph.D. from Mullard Space Science Labs, University College London; and a post-graduate diploma in Marketing from Manchester Business School.