Preston appoints innovation ambassador to unlock city's potential

Preston City Council has appointed Shirah Bamber as its innovation ambassador, a new role designed to help unlock the business community's potential.

The appointment follows the publication of the Nurturing Preston’s Innovation Ecosystem report published by Plexal,commissioned by Preston Partnership and funded through Lancashire County Council.

The report concluded: "Preston has all the ingredients needed for a successful innovation, however, action is needed to draw together into a coherent and well-signposted ecosystem."

As a founding member of Preston Partnership, Preston City Council participated in the consultation process and welcomed the report.   

Coun Valerie Wise, cabinet member for community wealth building at Preston City Council, said: “We recognise that Preston is on the precipice of opportunity in relation to the cyber, technology, and digital sector with the imminent arrival of the National Cyber Force at Salmesbury.

"The report provides us with useful insight into how we can progress this important agenda, and I am pleased that we have been able to respond so quickly by commissioning an innovation ambassador to facilitate this process.” 

With more than a decade of experience working in senior roles for organisations such as The Foxton Centre, Preston City Council, and Network Plus, Shirah has an extensive network of contacts across the city and region and has already started to meet with key stakeholders.  

As innovation ambassador she will represent Preston and raise its profile as a hub for innovation, cyber, tech and digital businesses.

Acting as a single point of contact, Shirah will engage with the digital, tech, and innovation community across the city to identify opportunities for collaboration, good news stories, and further development. 

Shirah said: “This is a really exciting project to be working on, and one that I feel strongly about as a local resident, business owner, and mother of teenage children who are currently considering their career options.”  

“Preston has so much potential, and I am looking forward to working with the different businesses, agencies, and organisations who are already fostering innovation, community building, and promoting this sector across the city, and region.”