Robert Learney

Rob is the Head of Technology – Distributed Systems. He is involved in developing new programmes to help groups from multiple sectors explore the potential of this technology to unlock economic growth for the UK. Prior to joining the Catapult, Rob co-founded the Imperial College Centre for Cryptocurrency Research and Engineering in 2014, aiming to create a cross-disciplinary academic focal point for blockchain research in London, and has been following developments across this sector ever since. He is an active member of the UK Government’s Blockchain APPG and the Community of Interest in the subject, and has been invited to speak on the transformative potential of blockchain and distributed ledger technology at multiple international events.

Rob’s background is in medicine and engineering, having qualified as a doctor in 2003 with degrees
from Oxford University and Imperial College. He returned to academia after 6 years of clinical practice,
and completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College, funded by the James Dyson
Fellowship.