Tech Commissioner appointed for West Midlands

The West Midlands has its first Tech Commissioner after Martin Ward was appointed to champion the region’s digital sector. 

A specialist in the B2B technology industry, Mr Ward will now act as an ambassador for the region and work with big tech and digital companies to encourage them to establish a presence in the area.

He said: ‘Digital adoption is accelerating and building a digitally connected economy and society has never been more important. 

‘I’m keen to get started by speaking with business leaders and entrepreneurs throughout the region to get an understanding of what they think and how we can further compete on the global stage.’ 

The role was created in partnership with non-profit community initiative Birmingham Tech and will last two years on a part-time voluntary basis. 

As part of the push to expand the West Midlands position in the sector, the Tech Commissioner will also lead an ‘international network’ of global tech ambassadors for the region, which is the UK’s fastest growing tech sector and saw a 25% increase in tech businesses last year. 

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: ‘The tech sector is a real strength for us here in the West Midlands. We have the fastest growing tech sector outside of London but we’ve been thinking for some time how we can build on these natural strengths and grow the sector even further. 

‘That’s why we’ve decided to appoint a Tech Commissioner to act as a champion and advocate amongst businesses, investors and wider stakeholders to shout louder about all that we have to offer.’ 

Plans for the role were first announced in October last year when the partnership with Birmingham Tech was described as being key for tackling issues such as digital exclusion and reaching net zero under the West Midlands Combined Authority Digital Roadmap. 

Mr Ward made his first appearance in the role as part of Venturefest West Midlands in Birmingham where he was introduced by the mayor. 

The region’s prevalence in the digital world was recently highlighted by a successful data sharing pilot scheme between health care providers in the region.

Photo: West Midlands Combined Authority