Interview with José Manuel Leceta - EIT Director

First of all, welcome to the EIT. Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?

José Manuel Leceta: Thank you – I am really excited to be joining such a relevant European initiative for Europe like the EIT following my appointment in May. Regarding my background, I have degrees in innovation management and electrical engineering as well as higher education studies in business administration, strategic management of ICT, economics of telecommunication, international studies, etc. Building upon my previous experience in space industry, I am joining the EIT from CDTI (the Spanish National Innovation Agency), where I served as International Director for six years. My main responsibilities there where fostering Spanish participation in European and global R&D partnerships, representing Spain in high level forums such as CREST, Eureka and TAFTIE – the European Network of National Innovation Agencies - as well as putting in place a number of Bilateral Programmes with counterpart Agencies in Canada, China, India, South Korea, Japan and South Africa.

Could you briefly describe your key motivating factors in taking up the position of Director? What do you consider being the EIT’s success factors?

JML: I have been following the development of EIT with a lot of interest since it was set up in 2008 as I believe it is urgent for the EU to catalyse and empower innovation hubs that foster world-class innovation. [...]

To read the full interview with José Manuel Leceta, please click here.