Wilma James Email Address

Deputy Chairman and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

Using science and research to solve issues and make a difference to industry, people and the planet. National science agency.

Wilma is a Senior Director of UniQuest Pty Limited, where she is able to promote productivity and innovation within industry through translating research into industry and community impact. Wilma leads the Expertise Commercialisation team and the Contract Operations team and manages a portfolio of over 400 contracts per year worth $17M of research contracts and consultancies. UniQuest is The University of Queensland’s commercialisation company and has been responsible for 70 start-up companies, over 700 patents, raising $490M of funding to take UQ innovations to market which has resulted in $10B of product sales, over 100 licence agreement and $150M of innovation contract funds from industry. Wilma works on the interface between science and industry reviewing and implementing viable projects that can improve industry productivity and innovation and community development. These projects allow innovation to flourish by translating research to impact. Her role includes leading the strategy and operational opportunities for UniQuest in relation to engagement with industry and government in commercialising The University of Queensland’s expertise. Wilma also manages a number of commercial business ventures owned by UniQuest including Australia’s largest cultural heritage commercial research venture, a new virtual health clinic providing telehealth to residential aged care facilities, a large software venture that provides analytical decision making tools for major water utilities and a pre-clinical drug discovery laboratory business. Wilma holds a Bachelor of Business Studies with Monash University and is currently completing a Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management with the Governance Institute. This postgraduate study will add to Wilma's Non-Executive Director expertise and her passion for good corporate governance.