The Digital Catapult, a national centre to rapidly advance the UK’s best digital ideas, has appointed Paul Durrant as its creative leader in residence.
The role will see Durrant drive creative development and collaborative projects for the Digital Catapult across the private and public sector.
His appointment, which marks the second strategic management hire for the Digital Catapult in a month, is the next step in the Digital Catapult’s five-year strategy to deliver £365m worth of additional economic value to the UK.
Durrant brings with him experience as director of business development at Abertay University – where he was a creative business development specialist.
Whilst in this role he was fundamental in bringing public and private sector organisations together to secure recognition for the University as an international Centre of Excellence in games talent.
As part of this he spearheaded developing and securing multi-million pound funding to support talent development and games prototyping.
To help promote creative and technology skills in the UK, Durrant also pioneered the Dare to be Digital competition, which recognises international talent in the development of video games.
Since being launched in 2000 the BAFTA-recognised competition has been celebrated in Channel 4’s Crunchtime documentary series.
In his new role at the Digital Catapult Paul will be responsible for helping build momentum for the Digital Catapult Copyright Hub and building relationships for the organisation with start-ups in the creative digital industries.
“Having been a member of Digital Catapult’s Advisory Network (CAN) we are delighted Paul has decided to join the Digital Catapult management team as Creative Leader in Residence,” said Neil Crockett, CEO, the Digital Catapult.
“Given his experience in spearheading collaborative projects between public and private sector organisations we are confident Paul will be fundamental in helping us remove the barriers holding back creative digital innovation in the UK.”
Durrant added: “While a member of the Digital Catapult Advisory Network I was able to see first-hand the huge impact the centre has had, and is having on the UK start-up scene and I am excited to be a part of it.
“The Digital Catapult is creating innovation technologies that are transforming business models in the UK and I look forward to having the opportunity to apply these technologies across a range of creative digital sectors.”
As part of its push to help support SME’s in the creative industries the Digital Catapult Centre is searching for startups that are bringing together technology and creativity to generate new experiences.