techUK is delighted to announce Professor Kerensa Jennings, Group Director of Digital Impact at BT, as the Chair of techUK's new Local Digital Capital Working Group.
techUK worked with the tech sector, local and national government and other stakeholders to develop the first edition of the Local Digital Capital Index to measure the strength of local digital ecosystems across the nations and regions of the UK. The Index was published in September 2021 and launched with the support of West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
This new working group will help capture the tech sector's voice in developing the Index for 2022, ensuring the Index remains robust, speaks to the sector and encourages investment in our nations and regions.
techUK is working with the consultancy Henham Strategy to develop the Index for 2022 following their successful collaboration in producing and publishing the Index in 2021. The Local Digital Capital Index continues to aim to be an econometric tool to aid policymakers, government, business and the tech sector in their efforts to improve local tech ecosystems, direct support and develop the building blocks that help the sector to grow and innovate.
Julian David, techUK CEO, recently said:
Kerensa is a hugely well-respected figure in the sector and brings a wealth of experience to this role. She's someone who is passionate about ensuring everyone can enjoy the benefits of technology and she spoke with such passion at the launch of our LDC Index about the opportunities technology can provide people, businesses and communities that she's an ideal chair to help us move this agenda forward. I'm delighted she's helping techUK to deliver the LDC Index for 2022 and leading our engagement not just with the tech sector but also more widely.
Kerensa Jennings, Group Director of Digital Impact, BT, recently said:
techUK is leading the way with a data-rich framework to help shape and accelerate action plans for growth and innovation across the UK. I am proud to be chairing the working group, and especially energised by the potential the LDC Index unlocks for meaningful collaboration to enrich digital ecosystems and support policymakers.
Nick King, Founder of Henham Strategy, recently said:
We were pleased with the 2021 LDC Index but we always knew it would be a starting point, not an endpoint. With Kerensa on board as Chair of the new Working Group, we can take this Index forward in 2022, making it even more effective as a tool of public policy. We look forward to working with the Kerensa and the techUK team in producing the 2022 LDC Index, making it even more detailed and helpful to many more organisations.
The Local Digital Capital Index for 2021 report can be downloaded here. techUK's response to the Levelling Up White Paper can be found here and specific responses related to skill training found here.