Member Article

Two key appointments strengthen innovation support at SuperNetwork

The Innovation SuperNetwork has strengthened their business engagement team with two key appointments to support growth in regional businesses.

Peter Riddell has joined as Partnerships Director, whilst Graeme Miller has taken up the post of Innovation Manager to support the delivery of the GX Project, working with the Great Exhibition of the North.

Peter, who joined the SuperNetwork from British Cycling, has 20 years’ experience developing strategic partnerships across the public, private and third sectors. Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: “In my previous role, my team was responsible for establishing and servicing strategic partnerships with key local authorities, charities and private sector organisations. I’m looking forward to applying my experience and understanding of how successful partnerships are forged in very different landscapes to the SuperNetwork as it embarks on an exciting period of development.”

Graeme has a wealth of previous experience supporting innovation in businesses, including working with all five regional universities, and has spent the last two years working on innovation projects at the North East Satellite Applications Centre. He said: “The opportunity to work with the team at the Innovation SuperNetwork seemed like a natural fit for me as I’ve spent the last several years working on innovation projects. I’m excited to have the chance to work on the GX Project, building on the success of the Great Exhibition of the North and the growing opportunity for innovative businesses, regionally.”

The Innovation SuperNetwork is a “network of networks”, bringing together over 50 partners and 5000+ businesses to increase innovation, collaboration and business growth in the North East.

With strategic alignment to the North East LEP, the SuperNetwork exists to increase connectivity and collaboration between the region’s business community, to enhance innovation and share best practice. With plans in place to further strengthen innovation support in the region over the next three years, the SuperNetwork is set to continue the delivery of its successful conferences VentureFest North East and FinanceCamp and build on the innovation support it currently delivers to SMEs by working more closely with cluster organisations regionally.

Simon Green, CEO, said: “We launched the SuperNetwork in 2016 and since then have supported businesses to embed innovation, connect and collaborate on a range of innovative projects, and access the funding they need to grow. VentureFest North East has grown to attract more than 700 delegates annually, and our FinanceCamp programme facilitates more than 350 meetings between growing businesses and investors every year.

“Bringing in such high calibre individuals as Peter and Graeme is part of our plans to position the North East of England as a national hotspot for innovation, working closely with the LEP and our network of partners. The SuperNetwork is all about collaborative working and having an impact, themes that both Peter and Graeme have strongly exhibited in previous roles.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Innovation SuperNetwork .