Ben Morley

Thailand Country Director Department for Business & Trade (DBT)

Bangkok, Bangkok City, Thailand

About

A hard working, committed and proactive individual with a diverse range of organisational and sector experience working in senior technical and managerial roles across large corporate organisations, public bodies and very early stage ventures. In my career to date I have helped influence the technology strategy of a FTSE 100 company, started my own ‘Internet of Things’ business and been Operations Director for another. I have led technical teams developing ‘market ready’ products and services, and have first-hand experience developing such products and services myself. I have significant experience in corporate strategy, organisational change, business development, market analysis and technical product development.

Experience

  • Department for International Trade (DIT) (Full-time · 6 yrs 8 mos)
    • Thailand Country Director
      Aug 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

    • Head of Asia Strategy
      Nov 2019 - Aug 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

    • Interim Head of Foresight, Science & Technology
      Mar 2020 - Jul 2020 · 5 mos

  • CEO at Remoti
    Apr 2013 - Aug 2021 · 8 yrs 5 mos

    Update : As of 2015 iPEST has been re-branded as Remoti with a focus on forestry and land management applications. In 2013 I formed my own business, iPEST, looking to bring remote monitoring technology to the $8Bn (worldwide) pest control market. The business website is available at : www.ipestltd.com The business aims to reduce the time and cost associated with checking hundreds of rat/mouse traps on a facility by embedding mobile communications technology into those units, linked to a cloud database with a visual web front end. Achievements to date include : - Bringing a fully functional “Internet of Things” minimum viable product to market including all hardware and software systems. - Secured a position in SETSquared Bristol, which was recently announced to be the best University incubator in Europe. Link - Launched the business (including all stand design, crafting key messages and marketing material) at the NEC Facilities Show 2013. - Secured a TSB Smart Grant to continue patent protection of the iPEST technology and perform real world trials. - Have performed a number of real world trials working closely with pest controllers and their customers to understand their needs. A crucial aspect of these trials was working with pest controllers to understand how this technology could radically change their standard operating methods - which have been in place since the 1970’s. - Worked closely with Neul to integrate their “Internet of Things” chipset into the iPEST unit as part of the Milton Keynes “Smart City” trial. - Pitched the business to senior individuals at Rentokil Initial, MITIE, BT and numerous other potential customers. - Pitched at a number of investor events and have received significant offers of funding. - Won a position to be one of 40 businesses with a stand at VentureFest 2013. A one day event showcasing innovation in the South West. Link

  • Innovate UK (4 yrs 5 mos)
    • Interim Head of North America & Global Networks, Lead Partnership Manager – Asia Pacific
      Apr 2019 - Nov 2019 · 8 mos

      - Interim head of function with my team overseeing Innovate UK's : i) relationships with North America, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand ii) international expert and business innovation missions programme iii) relationships with cross-government partners including DIT and FCO - Also Asia-Pacific Partnership Manager for Innovate UK, covering Japan, S-Korea, China and Singapore

    • Asia Pacific Lead
      Nov 2017 - Nov 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Lead Specialist - Market Analysis
      Jul 2015 - Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      - Primarily responsible for the provision of technology and market analysis to multiple stakeholders across a diverse range of sectors, from mature to emerging in both physical and natural sciences. - Key involvement in the development and implementation of a prioritisation policy and methodology for the balancing of Innovate UKs investments across sectors. - Continual development of relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the delivery and sourcing of information and data. - Responsible for the delivery of the ‘Emerging Technologies & Industry’ horizon scanning activity leading to new programme opportunities. Includes liaison with the Research Councils in developing pipeline process for the identification of technologies emerging from the science base.

  • International R&I Strategy - Policy Development Lead at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
    Aug 2017 - Mar 2018 · 8 mos

    Secondment into BEIS in support of international research and innovation strategy. Policy lead on bilateral & multilateral agreements.

  • SIN Innovation Strategy Manager at Foreign and Commonwealth Office
    Aug 2016 - Apr 2017 · 9 mos

    Responsible for helping shape the UK's innovation strategy with China through analysis of the economic, political and trade environment of China (in respect to the UK's position). Directly contributed to : - Development of a scoping study on Future Cities in China for potential funding alongside the submission of a multi-million pound bid for funding. - Analysis of UK trade position in goods and services with China including assessment of the competitor landscape of China and how our international peers have achieved success in China. - Provided economic analysis support to additional bids for funding covering abstract topics such as 'Rule of Law', 'Financial Reform' and Infrastructure. - Led on the establishment of a China network S&I Secretariat, bringing together individuals responsible for research, innovation and trade from across the embassy. - Presented to, informed, and achieved buy in from senior leaders to enact reforms as a result of the above activities. - Worked with and supported numerous teams around the network including SIN, DiT, Urbanisation, Trade Policy, Business Environment, Economic, Prosperity and Political sections.