Announcement for the newly-formed Nations and Regions Council
This is a new committee helping to set the strategic direction for techUK’s work across the UK’s Nations and Regions, develop and grow the Local Digital Index and highlight the importance of the UK’s digital economy.
The Nations and Regions Council will engage with stakeholders in devolved government across the UK helping support techUK’s engagement, feedback and relationship with these important partners to the UK’s tech sector and ensuring the programme accurately reflects members’ and our partners priorities.
We would like to thank all the members who nominated themselves for this Council and we are looking forward to working together to shape our programme of activities.
Please see below our Nations and Regions Council representatives for 2024/2026:
Chair and Vice-chairs
Helen Swift
Helen Swift
Dr Nafeesa Dajda
Dr Nafeesa Dajda
Marie Hamilton
Marie Hamilton
Nick Speed
Nick Speed
Council members
Alex Kirkhope
Alex Kirkhope
Annet Kinyanjui
Annet Kinyanjui
Bethan Evans
Bethan Evans
Elizabeth Patterson
Elizabeth Patterson
Emma Gooderham
Emma Gooderham
Gerard Rafferty
Gerard Rafferty
James Hodgson
James Hodgson
James Mackenzie
James Mackenzie
Lisa Ventura MBE
Lisa Ventura MBE
Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis
Robin Beattie
Robin Beattie
With over two decades immersed in the talent acquisition realm, I recently took on a new strategic role at Hays UK&I focused on delivering talent and skill solutions tailored for Tech Scale Ups. Before joining Hays, I served as Managing Director of Spinks, a specialized firm partnering with tech startups and scale-ups globally to tackle their acute talent needs during hyper-growth phases. This experience has granted me invaluable insights into the unique people challenges founders and leadership teams grapple with as they navigate the scale-up journey. As an active angel investor in the tech ecosystem, I'm passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and driving innovation. I've had the privilege of sharing my expertise on technology talent topics through speaking engagements and advisory roles. At Hays, I'm thrilled to leverage my expertise to elevate their value proposition for fast-growing tech companies. My mission is to pioneer talent strategies and solutions that enable scaling leaders to assemble world-class teams leaving them to focus on Innovation.
Silka Patel
Silka Patel
Simon Shaw
Simon Shaw
Stephen Rick
Stephen Rick
Wendy Shearer
Wendy Shearer
Yiannis Maos
Yiannis Maos
I am delighted to be joining techUK’s Nations and Regions Council as Vice Chair. I am committed to supporting techUK’s ambition to ensure equitable growth across the nation, building on my own experiences of developing the UK Space Ecosystem. I am excited to be part of this new Council which will bring together talented colleagues from across a range of sectors to create opportunities and bolster local economic growth across the UK.
I'm delighted to be part of the council; as devolution increases, the ability for techUK and it's members to be able to engage at a regional level and champion the role of tech sector in driving inclusive economic growth becomes ever more critical
The Local Digital Index that BT Group has been pleased to champion from the outset is a real reminder of the challenges and opportunities we face across the UK in ensuring digital innovation delivers for all of us. So I am looking forward to working with and learning from Council members in the nations and regions to help make that happen and ensure we build on the best of what our sector has to offer
techUK – Building Stronger Local Economies
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience. We provide opportunities for our members and local stakeholders to meet, build relationships, and collaborate to drive forward local projects. For more information or to get in touch, please visit our Nations and Regions Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Upcoming Nations and Regions events:
Launch event: Local Digital Index 2024
Bonded Warehouse 18 Lower Byrom St Manchester, M3 4AP Conference
North West Telecoms Showcase – Accelerating growth and connectivity across the region
Liverpool John Moores University Exhibition
Latest news and insights:
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Contact the team:
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- techuk.org,,techuk.org,
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @IleanaLupsa
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa
Learn more about our Nations and Regions campaign:
