Katie Gallagher has been appointed to head up the UK Tech Cluster Group to continue to support regional tech eco-systems during the post-pandemic recovery.
She was nominated to take over the role from Dr David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City, after four years at the helm.
Gallagher has been the managing director of Manchester Digital for 10 years and was a founding board member of the UK Tech Cluster Group when it was set up in 2018.
She has worked closely with the organisation and other bodies to champion the tech and digital industry across all of the UK regions.
Gallagher, who featured on our Top 50 North West Tech Transformers, said: “I’m thrilled to be voted as the chair and pick up the excellent work began by David. We launched in 2018 to share crucial insights, affect policy change and, importantly, provide a single voice for tech organisations across the UK regions.
“Moving forwards, we are pleased to continue working together at a grassroots level to share connections and best practice across the different regions, as well as being part of the Levelling Up conversation.
“Overcoming the lack of talent, increasing sector collaboration and driving R&D activity are all areas we know that our industry wants us to focus on. In addition to this, we have seen a decline in early-stage start-ups and need to reinvigorate that pipeline and ensure the right support gets to the right people within the tech industry.
“Lastly, I’d like to thank David for his huge amounts of hard work over the past four years and I look forward to continue to work alongside him as part of the cluster group.”
Dr Dunn said: “I’m delighted to see Katie take over the reins as chairperson for the UK Tech Cluster Group. We’ve made huge progress in creating a forum where regional tech organisations can work together for the greater good, as well as supporting each other, and I know that Katie will continue on this trajectory.”
The UK Tech Cluster Group was founded to bring together tech organisations who understand local ecosystems and share learning of how best to support tech growth across the UK.
The UKTCG works closely with government departments to provide regional intelligence, influence national policy changes and share their on-the-ground insights into the widely varying UK regions.
The group meets regularly to discuss current trends around the tech industry, share best practice and build stronger regional economies.