Joanna Shields replaced by Gerard Grech as Tech City UK CEO

Joanna Shields is stepping down as Tech City UK CEO.

She will stay on as chairman at Tech City and is taking a non-executive director position at the London Stock Exchange.

Shields, who is Facebook’s ex-head of Europe, is being replaced by Gerard Grech, who has worked as “business mentor” for Seedcamp New York and London, accelerator program Techstar and Apps for Good. He starts in his new role on 3 February.

Shields said: “There is incredible momentum in the UK tech and digital sector and I am delighted to welcome Gerard as our new CEO during this exciting time.

“He is an East London resident who’s had a front-row seat in the evolution of web and mobile platforms over the past decade. He brings a strong combination of start-up and corporate development knowledge to the team plus many years’ experience in developing and marketing digital products and services.

“The government has created a policy landscape that’s transformed the UK’s start-up scene; our goal now is to build on these foundations and help growth-stage businesses scale rapidly and generate jobs.

“I will continue to champion the UK’s digital industry as chairman of Tech City UK and in my role as business ambassador.”

Gerard Grech said: “Tech City is a blueprint for what can be achieved when the right people and the right policies work together. London has become a leading centre for digital innovation and entrepreneurship and my role, together with Joanna and the team, will be to help take things to the next level, delivering on key initiatives, introducing more partnerships and further solidifying Tech City in the international tech scene.

“As a Shoreditch resident, I’m especially keen that our initiatives serve the wider local community, keeping the ground fertile for the next wave of digital start-ups.

“I’m delighted to be joining the team at this exciting time.”