Eileen Montgomery will be in charge of driving Belfast’s innovation strategy Credit: Innovation City Belfast Innovation City Belfast (ICB) has appointed a new digital innovation commissioner. Eileen Montgomery, who joins ICB after a three-decade long career in manufacturing, has taken over from Mark Gillan, who was appointed to the role in September 2021. Montgomery has worked as a senior leader at some of the world’s leading manufacturers, most recently as vice president of engineering at US industrial products company Crane ChemPharma & Energy. She is also a former guest lecturer in product design at Queen’s University in Belfast. In her new position, Montgomery will be expected to lead the delivery of an investment plan and innovation strategy, develop an innovation project portfolio, and manage relationships within the innovation ecosystem. The role also requires Montgomery to establish national and international partnerships with stakeholders and funding bodies. In a press release announcing the appointment, Ian Greer, vice chancellor at Queen’s University in Belfast and ICB chair, said that Montgomery brings a unique skill set to ICB which will be ‘extremely valuable’ in supporting the organisation’s vision to drive inclusive innovation via the collaboration of industry, academia and government. “She truly is an industry leader in innovation,” Greer said. Innovation City Belfast is a partnership formed by six of the city’s key institutions: Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Catalyst, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, with Invest Northern Ireland as an advisory partner. The work carried out by the organisation aims to establish Belfast as a globally significant destination for innovation and deliver a long-term plan that will maximise the impact of the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal. Its priorities for the city include investing in advanced wireless networks, establishing an Innovation Investment Service and building the workforce’s skills for new jobs in the digital economy. Related content news How AI is reshaping Saudi Aramco’s oil exploration and underwater operations strategy By Andrea Benito Apr 29, 2024 3 mins opinion The AI cat and mouse game has begun Proactive adoption of sophisticated AI-based solutions is necessary to stay ahead of digital imposters. By Rick Grinnell Apr 29, 2024 5 mins Artificial Intelligence Security opinion Capitalizing on technology budgets: A CIO’s story There are untapped profits in data-driven technology budgeting. By David Smith Apr 29, 2024 5 mins CIO news analysis Microsoft can’t keep up with demand for AI in the cloud — for now Usually when demand outstrips supply, prices go up or customers go elsewhere. But will they have time to before the balance changes? By Anirban Ghoshal Apr 29, 2024 5 mins Generative AI Microsoft PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe