Member Article

New Dynamo Vice Chairs appointed to drive North East IT growth

Leading names from the North East’s high tech firms have been appointed to drive the growth of the region’s IT sector as Vice Chairs of Dynamo, the sector network, replacing the founder Vice Chair who has taken a major new role.

Founded through a collaboration between a wide range of big IT players, Dynamo brings together IT organisations, employers, technology hubs, education, local government and employer support schemes, which promote the North East’s skills nationally and internationally and highlight the career opportunities in the local sector.

Neil Hemming, of global business software leader SAP, Stuart Lynn, of software giant Sage, and Giselle Stewart, of interactive entertainment leader Ubisoft, have become vice chairs of Dynamo North East.

Dynamo is a collaboration between a wide range of big IT players, whose goal is to showcase the significant contribution of the IT sector to the North East economy.

The new vice chairs are replacing Bob Paton, a Dynamo founder and Managing Director of Accenture’s Newcastle Delivery Centre, who is standing down following his recent appointment as Interim Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Charlie Hoult, Dynamo Chair, said: “It is great news for Dynamo that we are able to welcome three leading figures from the North East’s IT community as our new Vice-Chairs.”

“Their outstanding business credentials and breadth of expertise will strengthen further Dynamo’s mission to develop and enrich the region’s IT capabilities.”

Stuart Lynn, Sage Chief Technology and Chief Information Officer, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to use my skills and experience to help the IT sector have an even greater influence and impact on the North East’s business landscape.”

Neil Hemming, SAP Managing Partner, who also sits on the North East LEP’s Innovation Board, said: “It is an honour to be invited to be a Vice-Chair of Dynamo and to be enlisted to help the region develop an even more dynamic and sustainable IT sector providing high quality jobs for the North East.”

Giselle Stewart, who manages corporate affairs for Ubisoft in the UK, said: “I am deeply passionate about the industry and am looking forward to championing the sector as one that is pulling its weight and having a positive effect on the region’s prosperity.”

Mr Hoult also paid tribute to Bob Paton’s contribution: “Bob has worked tirelessly for Dynamo and for the greater good of the North East’s IT sector.

“He is well-respected within the region’s business community and beyond and his knowledge and influence will be crucial in his new role at the North East LEP, particularly with the Northern Powerhouse starting to gain momentum.”

During Mr Hoult’s and Mr Paton’s time at the helm, Dynamo has made noteworthy contributions to the region’s economic development including bidding and winning a tender to create a University Technical College in Newcastle; setting up the Dynamo Apprentice Hub; introducing SME tech firms to HMRC’s Government Digital Service; and helping Newcastle Gateshead Initiative with inward investment projects North East.