Eight members of the North East business and academic communities have been appointed to the North East’s Digital for Growth steering group, supporting the delivery of the region’s digital strategy.
The group includes a cross section of highly experienced representatives from business, education and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which is leading on delivery of Digital for Growth.
Chairing the steering group is Stuart Lynn, Founder of Tech North East; Visiting Professor of Technology, University of Sunderland, and he is joined by steering group members Richard Baker (Head of Strategy and Policy, North East LEP), Deni Chambers (Assistant Principal, Gateshead College), Pete Daykin (Founder, WordNerds), Herb Kim (CEO, Thinking Digital Limited; David Goldman Visiting Professor of Enterprise & Innovation, Newcastle University Business School), Laura Partridge (Digital Programme Lead, North East LEP), Michelle Rainbow (Skills Director, North East LEP) and Alison Shaw (Professor of Practice for Success and Progression, Newcastle University).
Digital is identified in the North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan as one of four areas of strategic importance. By working together as one region and actively supporting the Digital for Growth strategy, there is a great opportunity to collectively enhance the North East’s digital credentials, create more and better jobs, and increase regional prosperity.
The steering group will support four delivery groups which bring together partners to drive forward the priority themes in the strategy: infrastructure, workforce, enterprise and data.
Stuart Lynn said: “The members of our new Digital for Growth steering group form a fantastic team and, between them, have expertise which spans the breadth of tech, digital, business growth and education.”
The North East Digital for Growth strategy was unveiled in early October 2019 and through a collaborative approach aims to maximise opportunities for growth and investment in the North East economy.
Digital for Growth identifies priority areas where the North East LEP will work with partners to build on the region’s assets. These areas are data; infrastructure and connectivity; digital collaboration and enterprise; and workforce.
The strategy has been built around the needs of the region, whilst leveraging the UK’s Industrial Strategy, the region’s Strategic Economic Plan, and the Local Industry Strategy.
Laura Partridge, Digital Programme Lead at the North East LEP, said “The success of Digital for Growth relies on the support of the entire North East digital and business community to make it a success.
“Within the strategy, we have built on the opportunities for the region identified in the North East Strategic Economic Plan and we’ve laid out a framework for maximising these opportunities and responding to challenges. Now is the time for us to align our digital assets and work together to take the region forward.”
The Digital for growth steering group will oversee the ongoing development of the Digital for Growth strategy, helping to shape the delivery plan and align with networks and organisations across the region.
Read the North East Digital for Growth strategy at northeastlep.co.uk.