Deb Hetherington is stepping down from her role at Bruntwood SciTech this week. She has served as the head of innovation ecosystems and partnerships since 2020. During her time, she helped numerous SMEs grow and collaborated with various partners to make a significant impact.
Hetherington expressed gratitude for her journey and the incredible people she worked with. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter, but she has exciting future plans in Canada, Barcelona, and beyond.
End of an Era
Deb Hetherington is stepping down from her role at Bruntwood SciTech this week. During her time, she helped numerous SMEs grow and collaborated with various partners to make a significant impact.
Hetherington has been involved in designing and delivering a female founders’ incubator across multiple sites in the North. She expressed gratitude for her journey and the incredible people she worked with.
New Horizons in Canada and Barcelona
Hetherington won’t be idle for long. She will travel to Canada next to explore innovation spaces with Michelle Xuereb from BDP.’,’She will then head to Barcelona to catch up with colleagues at 22@Barcelona and enjoy some downtime. She also has a new project in AI to launch soon.
Despite her travels, Hetherington plans to continue her PhD studies in innovation ecosystems at Leeds Beckett University. Her commitment to the social and economic development of Leeds remains strong.
A Decade of Experience
With over 10 years of experience, Hetherington has played a crucial role in supporting start-ups and scaling businesses. As the head of innovation for Bruntwood SciTech in Leeds, she supported various digital and tech startups.
She contributed to the design and delivery of innovation services and business support at Platform, Leeds’ dedicated tech hub. Her expertise has been invaluable to the tech community there.
Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter, but her influence will undoubtedly continue to be felt within the community.
Future Plans
Beyond her immediate travels, Hetherington has several projects lined up. She will be taking on more Non-Executive Director (NED) roles, including positions at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds Digital, and The Productivity Institute.
She is open to meetings and discussions if anyone sees value in a chat over coffee. Her focus remains on the development of Leeds, which she considers the best city in the world.
Impact on Leeds
Hetherington’s work has significantly impacted Leeds, particularly at Platform, where she worked with many disruptive digital and tech startups.
The innovation services and business support she helped to design and deliver have been crucial for the growth and success of these companies. Her departure will be a loss, but her legacy will endure.
Collaborations and Achievements
Throughout her tenure, Hetherington collaborated with various innovation ecosystem partners to drive impactful projects. Her efforts have not only supported individual businesses but also fostered a collaborative environment in Leeds.
She has been instrumental in the success of numerous initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s tech landscape.
Reflections and Gratitude
In her LinkedIn post, Hetherington reflected on her journey and achievements. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities and the people she met along the way.
Her reflections highlight the collaborative spirit and dedication that characterised her time at Bruntwood SciTech.
Deb Hetherington’s departure from Bruntwood SciTech signals the end of a significant chapter for Leeds’ tech and innovation scene. Her relentless dedication and numerous contributions have left an indelible mark. As she embarks on new adventures and projects, her legacy in Leeds will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire future innovations.