Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
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Re-appointment of chair to the Technology Strategy Board
Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson, today announced the re-appointment of Dr Graham Spittle as Chair of the Technology Strategy Board.
Lord Drayson said:
"I am pleased to announce that Graham Spittle will serve a new term as Chair. He made an important contribution to the development of the Technology Strategy Board since it was established as an advisory panel in 2004 and was instrumental in its transformation into an executive body in July 2007.
"Dr Spittle and the Technology Strategy Board have a vital role to play in stimulating business innovation in those areas which offer the greatest scope for boosting UK growth and productivity. His vision, knowledge and experience will be vital to meeting the Government's ambition to make the UK the best place in the world to run an innovative business."
Dr Spittle is appointed for a three-year period from 1 December 2008.
Notes to Editors
1) The executive Technology Strategy Board was established as an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) on 1 July 2007. It has been established to promote business investment in, and use of science, technology and innovation in the UK, with the aim of increasing economic growth and improving quality of life. It is responsible for delivering Government support to encourage business investment in technology and innovation across all sectors of the UK economy. It delivers this in a range of ways, including Collaborative R&D, Knowledge Transfer Networks, Innovation Platforms and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
2) Working with the Regional Development Agencies and the Research Councils, the Technology Strategy Board will jointly invest over £1 billion in the period 2008-2011. In addition, it will continue to work with government departments, the devolved administrations and other funding partners to increase the overall total.
3) The post of Chair of the Technology Strategy Board was advertised and the appointment of Dr Spittle has been made following an open competition in accordance with the requirements of the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The appointment is made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. Dr Spittle will receive remuneration of £15,410 per year.
4) Dr Spittle is Vice President Software for UK, Ireland and South Africa with IBM. He was appointed to his present position in early 2007 and was previously Vice President, World Wide Integration Development and Director of the IBM Hursley Laboratory. He joined IBM in 1985 at the Hursley Laboratory and has held professional and managerial positions in Business Operations and Software Development. His roles have included development and strategy responsibility for major IBM products as well as Business Development responsibilities. He has lectured and published on Software Contracting and Intellectual Property. Dr Spittle was awarded the CBE for Services to Industry in the Queen's Birthday Honours, 2008.
5) Dr Spittle received a Masters Degree in Geography from Edinburgh University and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Southampton University. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Visiting Professor in the School of Informatics at Edinburgh University, a Visiting Professor of Computer Science at Southampton University and a Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol. He has declared no political activity.
6) Dr Spittle served as Chair of the advisory Technology Strategy Board from 2004 and has been Chair of the executive Technology Strategy Board since July 2007.
7) For further information, please contact Matthew Barker in the DIUS Press Office on 0203 300 8126 or Nick Sheppard at TSB on 01793 442772.
