As we take the first steps towards becoming “Tech Nation” in April 2018, we want to engage even more closely with the key tech clusters across the country over the coming months. We will start a listening tour in the new year to connect with communities across the whole nation.

This will help us to jumpstart our plan to give tech entrepreneurs a platform for their growth through our national programmes. It will also help us to start building links between start-ups and scale-ups in different parts of the country as we extend our scope from four to 11 regions around the country, over the next four years.

In order to steer the Tech North community through this transition period, Richard Gregory, Director of Tech North, is taking a more strategic role as Executive Chair of the Tech North Advisory Board from December 1, 2017 until 31 March 2018. Over the past 18 months, he and the Tech North team have created a valuable blueprint in how to kickstart and connect digital ecosystems at different stages of maturity across the North. The idea for Tech Nation and its new national remit is a testament to the successful impact of Tech North’s early stage programmes.

Richard is keen to pursue a number of private sector opportunities that have been offered to him, whilst continuing to help steer Tech North. From the beginning of December he will spend five days a month as Tech North’s Executive Chair and will retain responsibility for the Tech North budget until April 2018. This move will allow him to devote more time to the Liverpool startup, Ruler Analytics, where he is Chair, as well as pursue other opportunities.

This means that Herb Kim will step down as Chair of the Advisory Board, but will continue to serve on the Tech North Advisory Board and work closely with Richard. He will also continue to serve on the Board of Directors for Tech City UK, where his advice and enthusiasm is extremely valued.

Gerard Grech said: “I’m delighted to announce that Richard is to become executive chair of the Tech North Advisory Board. As Tech City UK and Tech North evolve into one nationally-focused organisation, it is particularly important that we deploy all our resources where they will have the most impact and having had Richard’s great energy and support in the organisation for the last year I am delighted that he will carry on working with us in the region he knows best.”

“The UK’s thriving digital tech sector is no longer confined to one or two cities. It is growing at pace right across the country. With Richard’s continuing contribution, I am confident that we can maintain the momentum that we have started in London and the North, to help develop a rich tech eco system across the nation and driving our international tech standing. Tech North has put the digital tech sector in the North on the map in just three short years and that important work will continue and be expanded to other regions with exciting emerging tech clusters.”

Richard Gregory said: “I have loved working with the talented teams in London and the North over the last 18 months and I am thrilled that I will be able to continue working with Gerard and the Tech North team, as chair of the Tech North Advisory Board. The UK digital tech sector has many underlying strengths but there is still more we can do to accelerate the growth of digital tech businesses right across the country and make sure that we remain the best place in Europe and one of the top three places in the world to start or grow a digital tech business.”

Herb Kim, outgoing chair of Tech North’s Advisory Board, said: “I can’t thank Richard enough for the fabulous work he has done to help realise the potential of Tech North. He clarified the Tech North strategy and mobilised the team to deliver against it. It’s been a real honour serving as the Executive Chair and I very much look forward to continuing my work with Richard, Tech North and Tech City UK.”