The Landing @MediaCityUK in Manchester has appointed Paul Billington as its new commercial director to oversee the delivery of The Landing’s ten-year strategic development plan.
The role will focus on making The Landing the place to be for digital and tech companies to start, scale up and grow, helping them to become high-growth, sustainable businesses.
Under Billington’s remit will also be links to the Salford community, which The Landing supports with 600 jobs a year, and the redevelopment of Floor 7 at The Landing as a tech-led conference facility.
“The Landing is a dedicated technology incubation hub for businesses in sectors including healthcare, VR and AR, government and education,” said Billington.
“With my team, I will be working hard to raising The Landing’s profile and excellent reputation at the forefront of digital and tech.
“The next ten years is full of amazing opportunities and partnerships and I want to help The Landing become the best place for digital in the world. I am truly excited by what lies ahead.”
Billington has a wealth of commercial experience and over 20 years of experience and understanding of digital and developing industries in tech.
Originally in banking and IT, he started a digital agency in 1998, selling it in 2005. Over the years, he has helped many digital and tech businesses, also holding a few high-profile interim roles and board level positions in the North West, including Challenger Technology Limited and Prodo Digital.
Jon Corner CEO of The Landing said: “Paul is a fantastic appointment for The Landing bringing a wealth of commercial experience to our growing dynamic team.
“2018 will see The Landing extend its operations into key sectors and I’m looking forward to the journey.”
The Landing creates a unique environment where tech-led SMEs can thrive and grow, offering interactive testing labs such as Barclays Eagle Lab, an exciting working community and state of the art events spaces.
It contributes more than £25m a year and 1500 jobs to the Greater Manchester Economy, almost £83m to the UK economy and has strong community roots, with over 450 Salford residents taking part in digital skills programmes in the past year.