PBL Technology Announces Leadership Transition
PBL Announces Leadership Transition as Dr Jan Chojecki Retires
PBL Technology today announces a leadership transition as Managing Director, Dr Jan Chojecki, retires after nearly three decades at the helm. Jan joined PBL in 1997 and became Managing Director in 1998, guiding the organisation through its evolution into a globally respected technology transfer partner in the life sciences.
During his tenure, PBL has supported over 80 research institutions across 14 countries, patented more than 330 technologies, and successfully transferred over 180 innovations into industry. These efforts have generated significant commercial and societal impact, helping publicly funded life-science research reach its full potential.
Jan will continue to support PBL as an Emeritus Advisor, providing guidance and expertise to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing success. Dr Jan Chojecki, retiring Managing Director, said:
“From superbroccoli and gluten-safe wheat to a disruptive new class of therapeutics, it has been an amazing journey. And it will be hard to step back from some of the exciting technologies that are coming through. I am confident that the team will continue successfully in this important work and I am delighted to stay involved behind the scenes to help them realise these ambitions.”
From the start of April 2026, leadership of PBL will be shared jointly by Chief Operating Officer, Dr Georgina Pope, and Chief Business Officer, Dr Lars von Borcke, supported by the wider PBL team. Together, they will have collective responsibility for strategy and delivery, ensuring the organisation continues to connect innovation with industry partners, investors, and collaborators worldwide.
PBL’s Chair, Hadyn Parry, said:
“Jan has been the driving force of PBL from its inception, supporting PBL and its stakeholders by creating a unique business model that consistently delivers real-world impact from publicly funded research. His vision and leadership have built innovative partnerships and accelerated technologies across the spectrum of biosciences. The new joint leadership approach for PBL combines operational excellence with strong commercial insight, providing a clear platform to continue delivering impact from the science we support.”
Looking ahead, PBL is focused on strengthening partnerships with universities, research institutions, industry, and investors, advancing technologies to commercial readiness, and supporting the creation and growth of spin-out companies. Anchored at Norwich Research Park and operating globally, the organisation spans a wide range of life-science sectors, including plant and agri-biosciences, health, nutrition, microbiology, and biotechnology.
Through its end-to-end commercialisation model, PBL provides expert IP strategy, technology transfer, translational support, and venture creation, enabling research institutions to translate innovations into real-world solutions. Over the years, this approach has delivered measurable impact, including licensing revenues, the successful launch and growth of spin-out companies, and broader societal benefits.
With its experienced leadership team and dedicated global network of partners, PBL is well-positioned to continue advancing scientific innovation, maximising the value of publicly funded research, and advancing life-science technologies from lab to market. The organisation looks forward to strengthening global partnerships, accelerating technology development, and driving spin-out creation through its comprehensive service offering, delivering lasting economic and societal benefit.