Dynamo has appointed Paul Lancaster as Engagement Manager.
The founder of Newcastle Startup Week has joined the North East tech network to help drive innovation and encouraging the development of new products and services.
A former employee at Newcastle tech giant Sage, Lancaster has also worked for British Airways, Generator North East, Project North East, Shell LiveWIRE and Tech North.
“My role will be to support Dynamo’s cluster managers and the exec team who are working to grow specific areas of the region’s tech economy, and to work with our membership to help grow their organisations,” said Lancaster.
“A big part of my role will be to encourage more collaboration and innovation across the region to develop new products and services — and what I’d particularly like to do is to get more of our larger firms working with SMEs and start-ups.
“The work of Dynamo is very complimentary to what I’ve been doing over the last few years — bringing people and organisations together.”
Dynamo, set up in 2013 by Charlie Hoult and Bob Paton, now has more than 160 members including IT organisations and employers, technology hubs, educational establishments, local government and employer support initiatives. It is part-funded by the ERDF.
Chair Hoult added: “It’s a key appointment for us — Paul is an important influencer within the region’s tech sector, linking and connecting people and businesses on many different levels.
“He’s a great networker, winning Dynamo’s Collaborator of the Year award twice! So it’s a natural fit.”