TechWM, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to driving tech innovation in the West Midlands, has announced a new chairman alongside the appointment of new board members.
Bringing over 40 years of collective industry experience, the board expansion comes as the organisation celebrates significant growth in revenue and ahead of the sixth annual Birmingham Tech Week.
Jason Sahota, a seasoned technology and business leader and private equity advisor, will take the role of chairman.
He will replace Kim Leary, who remains on the board having been in the chair position since 2020.
“There’s no doubting the opportunity that lies ahead for the region’s tech scene,” said Sahota. “Every year, we go from strength to strength and that is largely down to the vision and strategic direction set by TechWM.
“Picking up the baton as chair is an incredible honour, and I cannot wait to get started in pushing towards our collective vision of being a recognised global tech superpower by 2030.”
Leary is a founding member of the TechWM board, having joined after the first Birmingham Tech Week.
“I stepped into the chair role at a time when Birmingham Tech Week was in its infancy because I truly believed in its purpose,” she said. “That was nearly five years ago, and naturally, the time has come for me to step down as chair.
“However, I will remain a board member because that belief still burns strong, and I know there is more to do.
“TechWM has achieved so many successes and has become a vital part of the tech ecosystem here in the West Midlands. However, personally speaking, I am most proud of the role I have played in transitioning the board from being very operational to the diverse and strategic force it is now.
“We have a wonderful team in place, and I am confident that the organisation will continue to thrive and make a significant impact in the years to come.”
TechWM has also welcomed new board members including vice chair Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal, a creative producer and founder of CreaTech organisation More Than A Moment; Joanna Birch, chief innovation officer, Woodbourne Group; and Daniel Campion, co-founder and CEO of infrastructure SaaS platform Sitenna.
The expansion comes as TechWM celebrates a 78% increase of revenue between July 2023 and July 2024.
A new director of digital skills & commercial impact, Victoria Pargetter-Garner, will also be joining the TechWM team. She has worked at the University of Birmingham for over a decade in business engagement roles.
“I’m delighted to be joining the TechWM team on its exciting growth trajectory. The TechWM motto is ‘making tech succeed in the most human of places’ – this couldn’t be more appropriate than when looking at the digital skills agenda,” said Pargetter-Garner.
“Ensuring that we have the right skills base for the short, medium and long term are fundamental to the growth of the region’s burgeoning tech sector, as well as that of the economy more broadly.
“I’m looking forward to working with employers and education providers to ensure we have the right digital skills to reduce the current skills gap and create a thriving tech ecosystem for the West Midlands.”