Eileen Burbidge has bee appointed as the new chair person of Tech City UK, which looks after and connects the UK’s technology industry to the UK government.
Burbidge, who is one of the founding partners of venture capital firm Passion Capital, succeeds Baroness Joanna Shields, who was appointed the minister for Internet Safety and Security in May this year.
Tech City UK is currently led by CEO Gerard Grech, who previously was associated with telecom giants like BlackBerry and Nokia.
Burbidge will work with CEO Gerard Grech to identify and develop the long-term vision of Tech City UK.
She will coordinate with political representatives and those who are working within the digital sector to increase Tech City UK’s efforts in speeding the growth of digital clusters across the whole of the UK.
Burbidge is a well known personality in the London technology scene as her venture capital firm has invested in startups like GoCardless, Smarkets, and Thread.
She is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group and was appointed the UK Treasury’s special envoy for fintech in July.
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Burbidge has been joined by four new Board members, and a newly formed Entrepreneurs Advisory Panel.
The new board members include Robin Klein, LocalGlobe fund founding Partner; Tim Luke, UK Business ambassador for the technology and finance sectors; Wendy Tan-White, former CEO of website builder Moonfruit Wendy Tan-White, and former Yahoo executive Yonca Brunini.
The Board will work to ensure good governance within the organisation as each member has extensive experience working within the UK’s digital landscape.
Burbidge said: "I first moved to London in 2004 to join the team at a very young Skype.
"Since then, the UK’s technology scene has changed beyond all recognition, and has certainly benefitted in recent years from the efforts of the Tech City UK organisation.
"From my role at Passion Capital, I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact that Gerard and his team can make for digital businesses at all stages.
"I’m hugely excited to be joining and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the Tech City UK success story to deliver even greater impact and uplift for the digital economy in Britain."
The Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Digital business and the rapid developments in technology are a key part of our long-term economic plan to support the industries of the future – creating jobs and building a more resilient economy.
"Eileen Burbidge will be a fantastic appointment, her knowledge and experience of the digital landscape will ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of this innovative industry."
