A new board has been established to support the tech industry in the West of England. It is hoped the advisory group, made up of business leaders, researchers, academics and investors, will boost growth within the sector and highlight the region’s role in shaping the UK’s innovation landscape.
The formation of the South West of England Technology Sector Advisory Board was coordinated by Tech South West, which covers Cornwall and the isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, and Gloucestershire.
The board brings together key players from across the region’s tech ecosystem to guide the strategic direction of the sector. Its primary purpose is to foster an environment that promotes innovation, growth, and collaboration within the industry.
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.”
Toby Parkins, chief executive of software provider Headforwards and chair of the Tech South West Advisory Board, added: “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.”
It is hoped the board will elevate the profile of the South West’s tech sector, as well as helping to shape policies and initiatives, and showcase 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;
- organising events and programmes 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.”