Tech East appoints first board

By Brigette Currin 2 minute read

TechEast today announced the appointment of its first Board and I have the great honour of acting as its Chair. I will lead a team of business people, representatives from academic institutions, public services, tech networks and business groups to deliver Tech East’s six point manifesto.

My fellow Board Members are:

  • Vice Chair: Neil Garner, Whitespace Norwich and Thyngs
  • Graham Masterson, KCOM
  • Marlon Bowser, HTK
  • Professor Fiona Lettice, UEA
  • Mike Kingston, AVIVA
  • John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

We have a great deal of support from a number of our peers including Madeleine Coupe, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Ian Buxton, Tech East Programme Director and Chair of Innovation Martlesham, and an engagement group from Norfolk and Suffolk representing the wider stakeholders.  The Board has already initiated discussions with technology leaders in Cambridge and it is hoped that these relationships will grow over time.

Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North, was kind enough to comment: “I hope the TechEast board members will make an enormous contribution to digital tech businesses in the East – strengthening existing groups and delivering value to the sector.  I wish the board every success as it aims to underpin the creation of 5,000 new jobs over the next four years through the provision of support to existing and start-up tech companies and launching initiatives to drive this growth.”

Ben Gummer MP for Ipswich, also commented: “I am very impressed with the Tech East board.  I believe Tech East’s manifesto will capitalise on the changes already taking place in Ipswich’s burgeoning digital technology sector – including the forthcoming opening of an Innovation Centre at the University of Suffolk.”

As Tech East moves forward, it’s a huge benefit to be able to work together with a board made up of such experienced business and technology leaders.  I am very grateful for their commitment in delivering the Tech East manifesto and look forward to working with them in the coming months.