Independence is a product feature.

An evidence practice is only worth hiring if its judgement can be trusted to be its own. This page sets out how Innovation Commons manages roles, conflicts, equity and confidentiality, in advance and in writing, so clients never have to ask.

Current roles, disclosed

Brian McCaul currently serves as Programme Consultant to Innovate UK on the IUK Venture Builder pilot (contracted through the University of Manchester), sits on the ICURe national Steering Group, and holds non-executive directorships including ReNewVax Ltd. A full list of current roles and directorships is provided at the start of any engagement, and updated if it changes during one.

The rules the practice works to

Design and evaluation are kept apart. The practice does not evaluate work it has designed for the same client without that relationship being disclosed and the client deciding, in writing, that it wants the continuity.

Vendor-neutral by design. Where the practice assesses tools, programmes or providers, anything connected to its own network is assessed against the same criteria as every other candidate, and the connection is stated. The practice's published work does not recommend purchases.

Fees and equity, agreed in advance. Innovation Commons is an independent advisory practice, and most engagements are fee-based. In selected venture-building assignments, the practice may agree an equity component instead of, or alongside, fees. Any such arrangement is agreed in writing before work begins, with relevant interests and potential conflicts disclosed and managed transparently.

No unsolicited confidential material. Please do not send confidential, personal or commercially sensitive information before a confidentiality basis is in place.

Staged disclosure for institutional work

Where engagements involve unpublished research, unfiled IP or commercially sensitive institutional material, the practice works through staged disclosure:

A non-confidential opportunity summary first
A conflict check against current roles and engagements
An NDA and institutional approval before anything sensitive moves
Controlled access to material, with recommendations documented and decision rights staying with the institution

Institutions retain ownership of their IP, their researcher relationships and their decisions, and receive the evidence produced during the engagement. The practice takes no automatic right to equity, exclusivity or investment allocation from advisory work.

Why publish this

Because the practice sells judgement, and judgement is only worth paying for when its interests are visible. Anyone considering an engagement can read the rules before the first conversation, and hold the practice to them afterwards.