The South West of England is set to strengthen its position as a leading UK hub for technological advancement with the formation of the South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Board.
The group brings together key players from across the region’s tech ecosystem to guide the strategic direction of the sector.
Representatives from across the full spectrum of the tech landscape are involved, including business leaders, investors, research and development professionals and academics.
Rhona Munro, founder of Gomarkable and vice chair of the Tech South West Advisory Board, said: “Bringing together diverse expertise from across the region, the Advisory Board will be instrumental in supporting Tech South West to drive creativity and growth, whilst emphasising the South West’s vital role in shaping the UK’s innovation landscape.”
The launch of the group, which is coordinated by Tech South West, comes at a pivotal time for the South West tech sector, as the Government confirms plans in the Autumn Budget to “capitalise” the National Wealth Fund to back growth industries such as gigafactories, ports and green hydrogen.
The board’s primary purpose is to foster an environment that promotes innovation, growth, and collaboration within the South West’s tech sector.
Toby Parkins, CEO of software provider Headforwards and chair of the Tech South West Advisory Board, said: “We have such a diverse range of knowledge across all the tech sector and this will create some of the wisest and strongest advice available guiding policy makers and the wider industry to create growth of industry across the region.”
The formation of this Advisory Group is expected to have a significant impact on the region’s tech industry, by elevating the profile of the sector, providing guidance across areas of focus, helping to shape policies and initiatives and showcasing cutting edge innovation within the ecosystem.
Initiatives undertaken by the group will include conducting research on key areas of opportunity for the region’s tech sector; engaging with stakeholders to gather insights and foster collaboration; developing strategic recommendations to boost the region’s tech competitiveness; and organising events and programs to showcase the South West’s tech capabilities.
The Advisory Board will meet virtually five times a year, with Tech South West providing secretarial support.
Dan Pritchard, co-founder of Tech South West, said: “Tech South West is committed to maximising the impact of the South West tech sector, and supporting organisations in the ecosystem to reach their potential through collaboration, showcasing and region-wide projects.
“The Advisory Board will help define a strategic direction, based on identified priorities and opportunities, and work to shape, monitor, and facilitate progress across the region’s broad and varied technology sector.”
Members of the South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Board are from across the region:
• Toby Parkins, founding director of Headforwards (chair)
• Rhona Munro, founder at Gomarkable (vice chair)
• Andy Pardoe, AI strategy & innovation advisor
• Ben Cooper, funding and finance director at Tech South West
• Darran Marks, managing director at Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology
• David Ferguson, head of net zero innovation at EDF Energy
• Emily Hill, CEO of Ghyston
• Helen Cocks, head of digital strategy and engagement at University of Exeter
• James Blake, VP cyber resiliency strategy at Cohesity
• Lawrence Mount, SDA IM&I|T function lead and SIO at Ministry of Defence
• Marcel Fowler, chief innovation and sustainability officer at New Motion Labs
• Melanie Goward, partner at Maven
• Rav Bumbra, founder at Cajigo
• Richard Potter, director of digital strategy at Microsoft
• Dan Pritchard, director of Tech South West
• Rob Passmore, CEO of Additive.earth
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