Smart London board to put technology at heart of the capital
Top academics, business leaders and entrepreneurs are joining the “Smart London” initiative, working to develop solutions that put technological innovation and data at the heart of London’s ambitions to become a global tech centre.
Chaired by Professor David Gann, head of innovation and entrepreneurship at Imperial College Business School, the group will focus on how London can harness technology and data to tackle challenges faced by being a global city, such as population growth, congestion, ageing infrastructure and energy usage.
“London has been at the forefront of technological wizardry for generations, but we will need to work harder than ever to stay ahead of the game,” says Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London.
“We must harness the huge potential that new technology offers us, and by drawing on the expertise of some of the brightest minds around, we can make our great city an even smart one too.”
Professor Gann is joined by Tech City’s Joanna Shields, TechCrunch Europe editor Mike Butcher, former head of strategy at DirectGov Paul Clarke and Arup director Volker Buscher among others (the full list of members can be found below).
“With the help of the Smart London board, we will harness London’s knowledge base – from London’s universities to its innovative entrepreneurs, from open to big data – in new ways, using new technology to create jobs and growth for the capital,” comments Professor Gann.
The Smart London board will be supported by a delivery arm that will bring together the various organisations delivering London’s infrastructure with entrepreneurial businesses that have existing solutions.
“The range and quality of organisations and individuals represented on the board are a clear sign of the breadth and depth of the thriving digital technology ecosystem that exists in London,” adds Joanna Shields, CEO of the Tech City Investment Organisation. “Together, we will make further progress in establishing London as Europe’s digital capital.”
The full list of members of the Smart London panel:
- Professor David Gann, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Deputy Principal for Research and Business Engagement, Imperial College London (Chair)
- Professor Ricky Burdett, Director of LSE Cities, Professor of Urban Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Global Distinguished Professor, New York University
- Professor Alan Penn, Professor of Architectural and Urban Computing, and Dean of Faculty, University College London
- Dr Andy Hudson-Smith, Director and Deputy Chair of the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at The Bartlett, University College London
- John Polak, Chairman, Centre for Transport Studies; Director of Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London.
- Paul Clarke, Independent Technology Strategist sits on the Transparency sector panel for the Ministry of Justice. He is the former head of strategy for Directgov, the government’s online channel for the public
- Joanna Shields, Chief Executive of the Tech City Investment Organisation and UK Business Ambassador for Digital Industries.
- Christophe Williams, Founder and Managing Director, Naked Energy Ltd
- Chris Thorpe, Entrepreneur and Technologist
- Mike Butcher, Editor of TechCrunch Europe, cofounder of Tech-Hub London
- Martin Curley, Vice President of Intel Corporation, Director of Intel Labs Europe
- Paul Maher, CEO, Siemens Infrastructure & Cities LMV & Smart Grid Divisions, North West Europe, Siemens
- Volker Buscher, Director, Arup
- Gavin Starks, CEO, Open Data Institute
- Naveed Sultan, CEO, Global Head of Treasury and Trade Solutions, Citi Transaction Services
- Ian Short, Chief Executive, Institute for Sustainability