Williams has had an outstanding career in processing academic research into the national arena and then effectively commercialising it. Between 1984-1998 he ran the biotech programme at Macquarie University. During this time he made significant contributions to the genetics of cellular slime moulds and developed the field of proteomics in Australia (including naming it). As a result of this work he established the world's first national proteomics facility (APAF). In 1999 he founded and became the CEO of the successful biotech company Proteome Systems Ltd. The company now has facilities in Sydney, Boston and Tokyo, a revenue of $21.5m in 2002-2003 and a suite of advanced technology products. He is the founder/Chairman of Xcelerator Ltd, a biotech incubator company located adjacent to PSL.