Lead for CyberNorth, the region’s cyber security cluster. One of Dynamo North East’s clusters, it is supported by Accenture and the Innovation Supernetwork. The cluster is recognised by both the Department of Culture Media and Sport and that National Cyber Security Centre, and brings together commercial organizations, the learning sector and the cyber defence community. The work includes the highly successful #CyberFest now in its fifth year.
Director of North East Initiative on Business Ethics – Many companies and individuals take all sorts of action to improve ethical behaviour in their workplace and also engage with the communities they serve. Our role at NIBE is simply to act as an overarching body to whom others can turn for advice, a conduit to for sharing knowledge and a place to run and promote events around the subject of Business Ethics in the North East region. Includes the development of the Ethical Business Toolkit
Director (treasurer and secretariat) of UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) which has been launched to support economic growth in the cyber security industry. UKC3 will deliver initiatives designed to stimulate innovation and support the development of cyber skills. It will coordinate with Government, industry bodies and UK Cyber Clusters.
Previous work:
Former director of Dynamo North East, an organistion working to grow the tech sector in the region. I stepped down following the merger of Dynamo with Sunderland Software City. I am still working with Dynamo, including leading on CyberNorth, the region’s cyber security cluster.
Northumberland Estates – working to develop an approach to technology that supports its diversification away from historic income streams by putting property investment, development and management at its core, while retaining significant enterprises such as farming, forestry and tourism. The work involves aligning the IT strategy to the business, replacing the infrastructure and supporting the development of existing and new applications.
Rockliffe Hall is a five star luxury golf and spa hotel – working to develop an approach to technology that supports its future direction.
Tech for Life – Located in Campus North, Tech for Life aims to introduce people of all ages, skill-sets and backgrounds to the fundamentals of computer programming, digital skills and STEAM, breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for all. I am supporting the programme through presentations and mentoring support.
Northumbria University – Leadership mentor for the Executive Women Leaders course, a winning programme at Dynamites 17, as part of the Business School. The course is a professional development programme designed for women leaders, which aims to help them to develop plans for promotion, be authentic at work and find a balance between work and home life. Offering a safe and supportive environment to develop new ways of thinking and acting, this course can help them to gain a greater awareness of their personal strengths and skills, as well as a clearer sense of self.
Socitm – investigation of commercial opportunities and shared service arrangements in the public sector, using online surveys and market research, resulting in a series of published articles and speaking engagements.
Creative Fuse – The Rural Cultural Business Innovation Programme is an exciting opportunity for creative businesses in Northumberland to benefit from understanding a modern approach to product and service development as well as project management.
Based upon agile project methodology and lean startup, the programme borrows successful techniques from hackathons and participatory budgeting events.
Sunderland Software Centre – The setting up of a low powered wide area network (LPWAN) to test capabilities and opportunities on Tyneside and Wearside. Working with public bodies and small and medium enterprises, the aim is to build a test network to demonstrate possible commercial and social opportunities.
Tees Valley Combined Authority – helping to develop and implement ICT and Digital strategies. The TVCA unites the five local authorities on key decisions that affect Tees Valley, strengthening the area and accelerate economic growth. Developing an understanding of broadband provision across the five local authority areas.
South Tyneside Council – Supporting their bid for the Local Full Fibre Network Challenge Fund, a government capital grant programme, as part of wave 3. The LFFN Programme aims to stimulate commercial investment in full fibre networks across the whole of UK landscape, including rural and urban locations, by demonstrating approaches that encourage additional private investment and by making sustainable commercial deployments viable.
Tyne Housing Association – helping with the appointment of an IT Manager
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 