Gerard works at the forefront of emerging technologies and economic growth; currently as the Managing Director of Founders at the University of Cambridge and founder, advisor and former chief executive of Tech Nation. In 2024 Gerard was appointed CBE by the King in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the technology sector. A long-standing adviser to the UK government on tech and digital policies, he continues to have a front-row seat throughout the digital transformation.
Having worked with many of the world’s most iconic tech companies and now with venture scientists, Gerard is uniquely poised to predict the next wave of tech and digital trends and their impact on the economy. He is currently supporting and growing pioneering teams of Cambridge University scientists and entrepreneurs working on game-changing innovations, from sustainability and biotech to generative AI. Cambridge University and its ecosystem form the best performing science unicorn hub of Europe and is globally ranked third for technological innovation output.
Founder, and former chief executive of Tech Nation, Gerard continues to advise Europe’s best performing technology growth accelerator according to PitchBook. Under his leadership, Tech Nation (and previously as Tech City) went on to shape Europe’s most productive digital ecosystem, growing 17x in value in ten years. Tech Nation created dozens of nationwide programs that grew Britain’s biggest tech stars, from Monzo to Deliveroo, with over 1300 companies in between. One third of all tech unicorns created in the UK graduated from a Tech Nation program, helping to fuel a 5x increase in the number of British cities with one or more tech unicorns, and securing the UK’s digital leadership position in Europe, after the US and China. In 2022, Gerard was a co-lead on the UK Government FinTech Review, whose recommendations led to the creation of the UK’s Centre for Finance, Technology and Innovation. He was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the FinTech industry at the FinTech Awards London 2023.
He is also a member of the UK Government’s Digital Economy Council and the World Economic Forum’s Digital Board. Previously, Gerard worked at the intersection of mobile, digital, media and venture capital in New York, London and Paris, developing ground breaking products and forging strategic partnerships for various technology corporate companies. Prior to that, he was a new media journalist and started his career in the music business.
Gerard’s talks encompass new technology, digital innovation and economic development. He explores how tech, AI and digital resources can be deployed for the greater good, and how best to create strategies and environments to fuel innovation and prosperity.
Popular Talks by Gerard:
- Future Tech and Entrepreneurship: What Lies Ahead
- Leading in the Exponential 2020s: Building Resilience
- Digital Transformation
- Welcome to the Next Decade; the Entrepreneurial Age
- Future Growth: How Smart Policies Can Power Up Societies and Nations?
