Digital Catapult appoints Benjamin Story as Chair

Digital Catapult’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Story as its new Chair.

Ben has transformed businesses across industrial technology, energy, transportation and infrastructure sectors. He was a member of Rolls-Royce’s ExCo, leading its strategic transformation and digitalisation across the group. Before his career in industry, Ben spent over 25 years in investment banking, latterly as Head of UK Investment Banking at Citigroup. As a banker, Ben advised many leading companies, including Airbus, Daimler, DHL Group, International Airlines Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Leonardo, Lufthansa, Rolls-Royce, Ryanair, Siemens and Virgin Group.

Ben also has extensive government experience gained from advising on over 20 privatisations around the world and as a Board Member of Transport for London.

Ben is a Venture Partner at New Vista Capital, an investor in defence and security start-ups, and a Non-Executive Director of Vertical Aerospace, a NYSE- listed pioneer in electric aviation. Ben is also a Trustee Board Member of Reach South Academy Trust, a leading provider of education in the south-west of England.

Ben comments, “I’m  looking forward to working with Digital Catapult to drive the practical application of deep tech, enabling both existing companies and start-ups to accelerate and scale new business opportunities. My background in transforming critical sectors of the economy, combined with my extensive experience of funding growth, will help to support the UK’s innovation community by connecting frontier technologies into the fabric of UK industry.”

Susan Bowen CEO, Digital Catapult says, “Scaling innovation from the lab into commercial success is critical for UK growth and productivity and we welcome our new Chair. Last year we helped 312 UK companies move closer to deep tech adoption. With Ben’s support, even greater impact can be created. I’d like to thank our Board Co-Chairs Priya Guha and Keith Underwood for their leadership and for Innovate UK’s continued support.”

Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair at Innovate UK adds, “We are pleased to welcome Ben as Chair of Digital Catapult and look forward to working together to help scale more UK businesses, going further and faster to create the next Unicorns. Ben has the experience and expertise to meaningfully contribute to this aim.”

Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation, helping businesses grow through the practical adoption of deep tech in partnership with government,  industry and academia. Digital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network.