The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Director of Innovation / Head of R&D (Large Enterprise)
5-10 years at this levelSkills to master
- Managing multi-functional teams, driving significant product launches, building internal innovation processes, and influencing senior stakeholders across a business unit.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistent delivery of new revenue streams from innovation within a business unit.
- Demonstrated ability to build and scale innovation teams (25+ people).
- Strong track record of securing and managing significant innovation budgets (£2M+).
- Regularly presenting strategic recommendations to C-suite and Board sub-committees.
- 2
CEO / Founder of a Successful Scale-Up (Acquired or Independent)
7-15 years leading a high-growth companySkills to master
- Full P&L ownership, fundraising, market entry strategy, building a company from scratch, and navigating the challenges of rapid growth and scaling.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a company through significant growth phases (e.g., Series A to C funding).
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage all aspects of a business (product, sales, marketing, operations).
- Experience with investor relations and board management in a high-stakes environment.
- Proven ability to identify and capitalise on market opportunities, often with limited resources.
- 3
Management Consultant (Partner/Principal focused on Innovation)
10-15 years in top-tier consulting, with 5+ years as Partner/PrincipalSkills to master
- Developing and implementing innovation strategies for diverse clients, leading large-scale transformation programmes, deep industry expertise, and executive client relationship management.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple successful innovation strategy engagements for FTSE 100 or equivalent clients.
- Deep expertise in various industries and innovation methodologies.
- Proven ability to influence C-suite executives and drive complex organisational change.
- Strong network within the innovation ecosystem and business leadership.