DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (001/2009) issued
by COI News Distribution Service. 5 January 2009
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.