A leading figure in Teesside’s tech community is stepping down after a decade.
Digital City Business CEO Mark Elliott has decided to leave his role with the digital and creative support organisation, a job he began in June 2003. Although there is no firm date set for his departure, he expects to depart at some point over the next nine months and re-locate north of the border, where his wife Janet Archer has been appointed CEO of Creative Scotland.
In an interview with Betarocket – which will be published in full tomorrow – Mark said he hoped his successor would carry on the long-term job of building the area’s international reputation.
“If you’re talking about cluster development, it’s a generational game. You can’t build a meaningful successful cluster in less than 20 years. Look at Silicon Valley. The hard work really started in 1943.
“You could argue we’re 10 years into a 20-year game. We’ve had a great start, and for whomever comes after me, the big goal is to look at DigitalCity and the North East in ten years time and say this ain’t going away. We’ve got some green shoots, but those things can disappear. It would be nice to think that in ten years time, even more people know the North East as a digital powerhouse.”
Mark spent several years as a corporate and commercial film-maker before taking on the role of building Teesside’s tech cluster. Since that time, a series of tech business hubs have appeared around the centre of Middlesbrough, starting with the £10m flagship offices of Boho One. The “Bohouse” live/work development followed, and other developments within the Boho cluster include artist studios and the Boho Four development run by Green Lane Capital. The upcoming Boho Five will serve as an incubation space, while Boho Six renovated a ’60s office block as business space and shops this year. Plans for Boho Seven are underway.
The DigitalCity project has focused on attracting companies to base some operations in the region, while providing advice and support to others taking their first steps in the business world.
Thanks to collaboration with the council, Teesside University and latterly the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, the cluster has become home to businesses such as thriving game studio Double Eleven and mobile app development firm Thap. Teesside has also recently launched its own accelerator. SearchCamp’s six teams pitched at Teesside University two weeks ago, and are set to showcase their startups to London investors on Thursday.
In an email to friends and close business associates, Mark said:
“It’s Game Over for me. But it’s Next Level for DigitalCity.
The team in place can continue to deliver outstanding results for DigitalCity and the Tees Valley. And in my opinion there’s someone in the team capable of taking over from me – though that is of course not in my gift. Whatever happens, I know you’ll continue to give the new incumbent [whoever she or he might be], and the team as a whole, the support and encouragement you’ve always given me.”
Betarocket will run a full interview with Mark tomorrow, so check back for more details.