Baroness Joanna Shields is to step down from her role as Tech City UK chair to concentrate on her new ministerial position.
Shields has been appointed as Minister for Internet Safety and Security at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, where she will focus on protecting the safety and security of citizens online.
Before becoming a minister, Baroness Shields was Prime Minister David Cameron’s Digital Advisor and the CEO and chair of Tech City UK, where she was responsible for leading efforts across the UK to support, develop and catalyse the digital economy.
During her tenure, she launched a number of successful initiatives, including the TechNation, the Digital Business Academy, Future Fifty and HQ-UK.
She said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Tech City UK. I am immensely proud of what the community it serves has accomplished, as well as the development of the team and the organisation.
“In my time working with Tech City UK, this country has become a digital powerhouse. There are 1.5m people employed in the digital sector with more and more people becoming entrepreneurs.”
The UK has one of the most vibrant technology markets in the world. 50% of the UK’s digital companies have been formed since 2008 and the sector is set to grow at four times the rate of GDP. As a result the UK now ranks as the fastest growing economy in the G7.
Gerrard Grech, CEO of Tech City UK, was quick to congratulate Shields on her new role and praise her hard work which has helped propel the British tech scene to the fore.
He said: “Baroness Shields has provided great leadership and guidance to Tech City UK. Her foresight and enthusiasm have helped change the UK’s global reputation in digital innovation.
“Her ideas and dedication have also helped drive the delivery of high-impact programmes such as Future Fifty, HQ-UK, Tech Nation and the Digital Business Academy among others. I look forward to continue working with her in her new capacity.”