Black Founders Programme
The Black Founders Programme is an accelerator targeted at pre-seed or seed stage, Black-founded companies creating innovative products and services...
Who we are
Team
Meet our team who work to accelerate the practical adoption of deep tech.
Leadership team
Susan Bowen
CEO
Susan Bowen is CEO of Digital Catapult, bringing together 25+ years in the tech sector with experience across multiple industries.
Jessica Rushworth
Chief Partnerships Officer
A senior policy and strategy specialist with 20 years’ experience, Jessica Rushworth is Chief Partnerships Officer.
Geraldina Iraheta
Chief Commercial Officer
Senior leader, technologist and strategic thinker, Geraldina Iraheta is passionate about turning innovative ideas into concrete solutions.
David Bletso
Chief Financial Officer
David Bletso brings financial expertise from a career in several sectors; working collaboratively to create successful growth strategies.
Joe Butler
Chief Technology Officer
Joe Butler is a highly respected tech leader with experience from startups to large projects at the heart of government.
Amanda Kamin
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
Amanda Kamin is a senior corporate reputation specialist with 20 years’ marketing and communications experience.
Ray Lambe
Chief Operating Officer
With 20+ years experience, Ray Lambe’s technical and scientific background spans both the public and private sectors.
Allyssa Gregory
Chief People Officer
An accomplished HR leader, Allyssa Gregory is responsible for the strategic direction and management of all HR activities.
Non executive directors
Professor Keith Jackson
Chair
Professor Keith Jackson is Chair of Digital Catapult and Non-Executive Chair of Ilika. A successful entrepreneur and engineering leader, Keith…
Dr Damien Buie
Non Executive Director
Damien Buie is Sector Lead, Energy Transition at Amazon Web Services (AWS). With over 20 years of experience in the…
Jessica Cecil
Non Executive Director
Jessica Cecil is the Founder of the Trusted News Initiative (TNI) and a former BBC Chief of Staff to four…
Perdita Fraser
Non Executive Director
Perdita Fraser is Chair of National Numeracy and Trustee of the Campaign for Science and Engineering. Perdita is an experienced…
Priya Guha
Non Executive Director
Priya is a Venture Partner at Merian Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in women-led innovation
Belinda Howell
Non Executive Director
Belinda Howell is the Founder & Managing Director of strategic sustainability consultancy Decarbonize Limited, and brings extensive experience at board…
William Priest
Non Executive Director
William is an experienced Board Adviser and Non-Executive Director, in the public and private sectors. He is currently on the…
Yvonne Rogers
Non Executive Director
Yvonne Rogers is the Director of the Interaction Centre at UCL (UCLIC), deputy head of department for Computer Science and…
Valerie Todd
Non Executive Director
Valerie Todd is the former People and Organisation Director for Siemens Plc UK and Ireland and supported the business through…
Keith Underwood
Non Executive Director
Keith has worked in the media industry for over 20 years and has successfully managed a broad range of business…
Technology and industry experts
Dritan Kaleshi
Director of 5G Technology and Co-Director of SONIC Labs
Dritan Kaleshi has 30 years experience as a technologist and researcher in communication networks, distributed system design and interoperability.
Robert Smith
Director of Technology AI and Data Science
An eminent computer scientist and widely respected leader in evolutionary computation, Robert Smith works with academia, industry and entrepreneurs.
Paul Ceely
Director of Technology Strategy
Paul Ceely has over 20 years’ experience in technology and network strategy, covering strategy and solutions for mobile, internet, security,…
Deborah Colville
Director, UK Digital Twin Centre
Deborah is the Director of the UK Digital Twin Centre and Honorary Professor of Practice at Queens University Belfast.
Tim Lawrence
Director, Digital Supply Chain Hub
Tim has extensive experience in improving global supply chains working within the Automotive, Consumer Goods, Aerospace, Defence, Construction, Life Science…
Nick Wright
Director of Market Development
As Digital Catapult’s Director, Market Development, Nick Wright combines his domain expertise and passion for engineering and manufacturing with advanced…
Eleanor Bowe
Director of Strategic Partnerships – CR&D
Eleanor is an accomplished professional with international experience across technology and government. As a dedicated and inclusive leader, she is…
Philip Young
Director Strategy and External Affairs
Digital Catapult’s Director of Policy, Research & Strategic Engagement, Philip Young has a strong background in emerging technology policy, research…
Dr Kostas Katsaros
Head of Future Networks
Dr Kostas Katsaros has over 15 years of experience in wireless communications. At Digital Catapult, he provides oversight for Future…
Steven Wood
Head of Industry Practice (Aerospace, Defence & Security)
A digital transformation specialist, Steven Wood is a Senior Commercial Manager for Digital Catapult. Responsible for helping large, established companies…
Laura Helm
Head of Creative Industries
Laura’s focus at Digital Catapult is creating partnerships across the creative industries, and working with prospective clients to expand value…
Robert Learney
Head of Technology – Distributed Systems
Rob is the Head of Technology – Distributed Systems. He is involved in developing new programmes to help groups from…
Peter Karney
Head of Product Innovation
A seasoned technologist and senior product manager, Peter Karney heads up Digital Catapult’s Product Innovation team which defines the scope…
Daniel Goldsmith
Senior Quantum Computing Technologist
Daniel has a Masters in Quantum Technology at University College, London, and researched Quantum Error Correction Codes. He has experience…