COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Tech North
2015 - 2017
Synopsis
I developed the community engagement strategy for Tech North. Getting the community engagement strategy right during this first year was essential to the credibility of Tech North in its startup phase, and was a key factor in the success of Tech North's first two flagship programmes, Northern Stars and Founders' Network. Executing the strategy involved mapping out the key stakeholders across the region, understanding their motivations and goals, making relevant introductions, negotiating sponsorship, and forging timely connections that help move projects forward.
“Laura is a special connection for anybody who knows her. Passionate, insightful and knowledgeable about her work and causes, she brings a new dimension to whatever she’s involved in. Laura brought this energy and Tech North’s support to the Connected Healthcare programme, which we ran at the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley in 2016, and both were key success factors.”
“I first got to know Laura when we were starting up Sheffield Digital - she played a key role in helping us build a relationship with Tech North. I’ve been working with her ever since and am impressed by her ability to encourage collaboration and build communities of interest. She also has an inquiring mind and boundless energy and enthusiasm.
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“Laura and I worked closely together as ‘Community Engagement Managers’ for Tech North between August 2015-January 2016 before taking on a Programme Manager role where she was responsible for conceiving and running the highly successful ‘Founders’ Network’ programme.
Laura is easily the most committed and passionate people I know when it comes to supporting grassroots, community-led initiatives in Sheffield, Yorkshire and the wider North of England and is also one of the smartest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She would be an asset to any team or project as either a consultant or full-time member of staff and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. I very much hope I can continue working with Laura on future projects too.
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