Tech Nation has confirmed the appointment of Mike Jackson as the new ‘entrepreneur success director’, coinciding with the release of data highlighting the expansion of the digital tech sector in Leeds and Yorkshire.
Jackson, a Yorkshire-born entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the IT sector, will take on the role to enhance support for tech founders of early-stage and scaling businesses. With a diverse background including stints at large companies such as Microsoft and later ventures as an entrepreneur and angel investor, Jackson brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to Tech Nation.
In Bristol, he established an early-stage tech incubator known as Webstart and is eager to recreate a similar supportive network for entrepreneurs nationwide. Jackson articulated his vision, stating, “I’m passionate about the Tech Nation message that we can build thriving tech clusters and connect entrepreneurs right across the United Kingdom. To do that we are going to deliver growth programmes that are truly national and accessible from anywhere in the country and help local ecosystems to grow and expand.”
An essential part of Jackson’s strategy involves the recruitment of 11 ‘entrepreneur engagement managers’. Their primary role will be to facilitate networking and collaboration among company founders, investors, advisors, and local influencers throughout the UK. Jackson stressed the importance of national collaboration, expressing, “As a country, we are not always great at collaborating, sharing successes, and learning from each other. By building a national network of like-minded ambitious entrepreneurs, Tech Nation will play its part to ensure the whole of the UK shares in the benefits a successful digital tech sector brings.”
This appointment comes amidst Tech Nation’s commendation of the significant growth seen in Leeds’ digital tech sector. The sector is now valued at £1 billion, a testament to the ‘winning combination’ of public and private sector businesses fostering a vibrant tech hub in the region. This burgeoning environment is further supported by institutions such as NHS Digital and the Open Data Institute, which promote the growth of start-ups and new enterprises in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire area.
Mike Jackson’s appointment as ‘entrepreneur success director’ underscores Tech Nation’s commitment to nurturing and expanding the UK’s tech landscape. With his extensive experience and strategic plans, Jackson is poised to drive national growth, collaboration, and innovation across the digital tech sector.