The founding CEO of Tech Nation is among the technology figures recognised in the King’s 2024 New Year Honours list.
Gerard Grech, who led the startup support network Tech Nation for over a decade until it closed in March last year, has been awarded a CBE for services to the technology sector.
Grech currently leads an initiative to connect founders and academics at the University of Cambridge and holds an advisory role at the new Tech Nation relaunched by Founders Forum Group.
“I’m deeply honoured to have been recognised for my contribution to the growing success of the UK’s tech and startup sector which is increasingly creating globally important tech and science-backed companies, from my time at Tech Nation,” Grech told UKTN.
“This honour is also recognition of the founders, ecosystem experts, investors, policymakers, and my colleagues who generously shared their knowledge and insights to support the UK’s most ambitious tech entrepreneurs. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to them all for all their hard work.”
Katie Gallagher, chair of UK Tech Cluster Group, has been awarded an OBE for services to the digital technology industry in the North West.
“I was incredibly surprised to hear I was receiving an OBE,” said Gallagher, who is also managing director of Manchester Digital and the founder of the NW Cyber Resilience Centre.
“I’m very proud to work with the amazing teams at Manchester Digital and the NWCRC, as well as our innovative tech community in the North West, which is only going from strength to strength.”
Mark Logan, the former chief operating officer at Skyscanner and now chief entrepreneurial adviser to the Scottish government, was awarded an OBE for services to the economy.
Other UK tech figures to be recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours list include:
– Karl Hoods, chief digital and information officer at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, who was awarded a CBE for services to technology and to education.
– Christopher Kingsley, co-founder and CTO of Rebellion, who was awarded a CBE for services to the creative industries.
– Nigel Begg, founder of Aspire Technology Solutions, who was awarded an MBE for services to digital and technology industry growth in North East England.
– Richard Harris, founder of Ensygnia, who was awarded an MBE for services to fintech innovation and global technological advancement.