Claire Braithwaite has today been announced as the new Head of Tech North, with Tech City UK also announcing the appointment of Herb Kim as the Executive Chair of the Tech North Advisory Board.
The announcement, made by Tech City UK’s CEO Gerard Grech, marks Braithwaite as the inaugural Head of Tech North and will see her lead the new initiative as well as putting in place the full team.
Currently Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Clearly So, Braithwaite’s appointment heralds an exciting time for the digital business community across the North.
Herb Kim is the Founder and CEO of Thinking Digital based in Newcastle, bringing to the Tech North Advisory Board a proven track record in connecting entrepreneurs and digital leaders in the region. Kim also serves as a non-executive Board Director for Tech City UK.
The goal of the Tech North initiative is to accelerate the development of the North’s digital economy, helping attract talent, entrepreneurs and investment to northern cities including Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Sunderland.
Commenting on the global potential of the UK digital economy, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The Tech Nation report demonstrates the great innovation and thriving entrepreneurial spirit that is driving the sector forward across the country.
"Backing the industries of the future is a key part of our long-term economic plan to support business, create more jobs and build a more resilient economy. The North is growing and by ensuring we foster the right conditions for digital business growth, we can go even further in solidifying the position of the entire UK as a global hub of technology excellence."
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With positive news in the latest Budget on the development of tech hubs across the region, Tech North will further unite northern tech businesses in tackling common challenges and maximising opportunities for success.
The incoming team for Tech North will spend time working across the northern region and will be initially co-located in Manchester and Newcastle. Other Northern co-locations may be considered as delivery of the initiative develops.
Braithwaite will assume her role from 27th April while Kim will assume his role with immediate effect. Claire Braithwaite commented: "Over 170,000 people are employed in digital businesses in the developing tech clusters of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Newcastle and Sunderland alone.
"Tech North will shine a light on digital businesses across this dynamic region of the UK and aims to help in creating an optimum set of conditions for digital businesses to thrive in. I’m looking forward to working alongside Gerard’s team and showing to the world the great entrepreneurial talent and digital business expertise the North has to offer."
