Manchester Tech Trust welcomes 'high-calibre' names to advisory board

Manchester Tech Trust (MTT) has welcomed several “high-calibre” names to its advisory board as it looks to continue guiding the city’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Set up a year ago by Neil McArthur, the co-founder of telecoms firm TalkTalk, MTT’s advisory board has been joined by Philip Hodari, the chairman of electrical wholesaler Electric Systems, and Stuart Marks, chairman of corporate accelerator L Marks.

The board, whose members are unpaid for their work with the organisation, already includes Apadmi Ventures CEO Howard Simms and Susan Woodward, founder of The Sharp and Space Projects.

Representing the city’s education sector on the board are the University of Manchester’s vice-president for research and innovation, Luke Georghiou, and former prime ministerial adviser Mike Emmerich from consultancy Metro Dynamics.

Neil McArthur said: “The high calibre of senior leaders in the city joining the Manchester Tech Trust advisory board shows that the trust has the backing of experienced people with real clout who are pledging their commitment to build the capacity of the organisation, and support the growth of the tech sector.

“The Manchester tech sector is thriving and but still has yet to reach its true potential. Through our Manchester Tech Trust website and events, in 2016 we established ourselves as a super connector, the ‘go-to’ organisation in the city to bring people, support and finance together to make things happen quickly and effectively.”

He added: “Our new advisory board wants to help us build on that progress, to make a real difference to growth with targeted and timely support precisely where it is needed.”

The trust has also attracted support and sponsorship from professional services giant KPMG and law firm Addleshaw Goddard, which are represented on the advisory board by TMT director Graham Pearce and partner Andrew Green respectively.

MTT’s chief exec, Peter Lusty, commented: “Following the success of the first year of MTT, and with the advisory board in place, we are now developing a full register of experienced supporters willing to provide mentoring advice and guidance to the city’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

“Since our launch, we have held events which have been attended by more than 100 companies and entrepreneurs, and have participated in many more as speakers and panel members with our community partners.”

He added: “In addition, we have held dozens of one-to-one advice sessions with start-ups and scale-up businesses - an activity which is ongoing - and have an exciting programme of events lined up for 2017.”

Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said the authority “welcomes the growing evolution of Manchester Tech Trust, seen in the appointment of the new advisory board members”.

He continued: “We look forward to the further contribution the Trust and the advisory board members will make to the city region’s dynamic and growing technology sector by linking private investors with start-up and scale up companies.

“This trust shows how in Manchester the private sector works closely in partnership with the public sector, and that our business leaders’ commitment to give something back is part of a long and proud tradition in the city.”

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