Tech North has announced that Richard Gregory will be taking on a more strategic role as executive chair of the Tech North Advisory Board.
The move comes as Tech City UK and Tech North take the first steps towards becoming Tech Nation in April 2018, with Gregory helping to “steer the Tech North community through this transition period”.
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 will also allow Gregory to pursue a number of private sector opportunities, as well as devote more time to Liverpool start-up Ruler Analytics, where he is chairman.
“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,” said Tech City UK chief executive Gerard Grech.
“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.”
Gregory added: “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 will step down as executive chair of Tech North but will continue to serve on the advisory board and work closely with Gregory.
He will also continue to serve on the board of directors for Tech City UK.