Roy was the first Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing at Newcastle University, and remains a professor of practice. He is currently chairing the national inquiry into the use of Technology for Housing for our Ageing Population and is on the board of the Technology Services Association, the industry body for care technology.

He is immediate past-president of the Royal Society of Chemistry Industry Council and a Fellow of the Society. He chairs the RSC Industry Task Force for Sustainable Polymers. He is a board member with the National Centre for Universities & Business.

In the region, Roy chaired the innovation board for the North East LEP. He currently chairs Northern Accelerator, the research commercialisation programme across all North East Universities. He sits on the advisory boards for both Newcastle University and Northumbria Business Schools.

He is a board member with Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Ageing Well. He chairs the advisory board for Active Families North East. He is a governor at the Beacon of Light School and a Member with WISE Academies. He is on the Board for the Centre for Life.

Previously, Roy was with the Procter & Gamble Company holding global R&D positions, leading innovation programmes across the world.

Roy was honoured with an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017 for services to science, innovation & skills.