Neil Crockett to lead Connected Digital Economy Catapult

Crockett joins the London-based Catapult from Cisco, where he held several roles, including managing director – British Telecom worldwide operations from 2006, and managing director – London 2012, overseeing Cisco's Olympics sponsorship. Speaking at the Urban Age Electric City conference in London today (6 December 2012), Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, said: "I am pleased to welcome Neil as CEO of the centre – his knowledge and expertise will ensure its future success." And he added: "The UK has one of the world's strongest digital markets and the Connected Digital Economy Catapult will build on this by fostering innovation and driving growth across the £100 billion ICT, software and digital content sectors." Commenting on his appointment, Crockett said: "It is a privilege to lead the new Connected Digital Economy Catapult and have the opportunity to accelerate the translation of the UK's world class digital discovery and innovation into new and sustained economic success." The Technology Strategy Board hopes that, by providing access to test and demonstrator facilities, the new Catapult will "encourage new and sustainable ways for businesses in the digital sector to generate value from their innovations and to find ways for other sectors to embrace and adopt internet-enabled opportunities".