Manchester Digital is delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Davies to our board directors. Ben joins the board with a wealth of experience of founding and funding businesses, 现任集团营销总监 Praetura合资企业.
We caught up with Ben to find out a bit more about his journey into digital and tech and his hopes for the future of Manchester Digital.
Could you share with us why you decided to apply to join the Manchester Digital board?
I’ve admired Manchester Digital for a long time and supported with events in a previous role. 曾在类似机构工作过, Manchester Digital’s reputation within the public and private sector has always been exceptional and I’d love to be part of the story. 而我不是在这里长大的, I’d proudly say I’ve been adopted by this city and want to contribute to its future.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and experience in the digital and tech industry?
从创建NW联合办公连锁店开始, co-living and event spaces to helping grow Social Chain, I feel like I’ve grown up with Manchester ’s tech industry as it’s evolved into the thriving ecosystem it is today.
In my current role at Northern-focused VC Praetura合资企业, I help our portfolio businesses grow through our More Than Money support. I hope that I can use similar skills to make Manchester Digital the gateway into the best parts of the tech sector, connecting Manchester’s large household names with some of the city’s most exciting startups.
What specific skills or view points do you hope to bring to the Manchester Digital board and how will this support Manchester Digital’s objectives?
As stated in the ‘What’s Powering The Powerhouse’ research we embarked on last year, 我觉得十大网博靠谱平台正处在一个关键的转折点. 在研究中, we laid out six key factors that need to happen to help us reach our full potential, one being supporting ecosystem builders like Manchester Digital. I believe Manchester Digital are in the best possible position to help fuel our growth trajectory as a region.
My core goals are centred around greater access to the right capital for early stage tech entrepreneurs, strengthening their support network to grow meaningful companies and improving the size & 我们地区技术人员的多样性.
What are your hopes and aspirations for Manchester Digital as a board member?
If we can be known for being the ‘go-to’ destination for the Manchester tech community, there will be new ways we can help our members grow talent, attract better financial support and continue to turn heads. Taking inspiration from similar organisations in other cities and industries, we can champion our home-grown successes and elevate the city’s reputation.
在你看来, what are some of the key challenges that the digital sector in Greater Manchester is facing and how do you see Manchester Digital addressing these challenges and maximising opportunities for the membership?
Praetura see over 1400 applications for funding every year. Unfortunately so many early stage businesses still aren’t getting the capital and support they need to build great companies. Retaining our own talent and recycling capital through the system is essential to building on our success to date. 去年，我们吸引了超过5.32亿英镑的科技投资, 脱离罗马, 华沙, 里斯本, 但我们仍有很多未实现的潜力.
Finally, access to the tech sector is a real pain point for me. I’ve been fortunate that my passion for tech has given me a vehicle to work with some incredible companies filled with inspiring people. 通过十大网博靠谱平台数字, I’d like to find new ways to make that option open to more people from a greater variety of backgrounds. 虽然这不会是一夜之间的成功, we will need a variety of organisations working in tandem over time in pursuit of actual inclusivity.
Finally, outside of your work experience are you able to tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I used to run an independent food bike tour and craft beer crawl as part of AirBnB’s Experiences launch in Manchester, 我不得不停下来，因为摩拜单车被召回了!
由于本!
