Candidates

Manchester Digital Elections

Candidates for Manchester Digital Council, 2009

There are 23 candidates for 12 posts. Each candidate was invited to submit 100 words about why they want to be elected.

The candidates are listed in the order the nominations were submitted.

Mike Ryan

Idaho Technology

Elected
To continue to strive for the growth and prominence of the digital sector and help support it through challenging times.

Mark Young

Academy Class

I'd like to be elected to the council because I run a training company called Academy Class that specializes in digital technology and so that means I have a lot of experience in dealing with digital companies and what is required to be competitive to operate in the digital industries. I have experience in running training courses, industry events, and have great ties with organisations such as Adobe, Apple and Autodesk, educational establishments, software resellers and solution providers and recruitment. I’m passionate, positive, and opinionated and love problem solving and these skills with industry knowledge would really help Manchester Digital

Kirstie Buchanan

Reading Room

Elected 

I’m passionate about education and training. From the graduate looking for their first job to internal training for staff.

In the first year on the council I have become actively involved in Student Portfolio Days as well as actually judging some of their work, which have proved to be invaluable when I have been looking to recruit staff (plus I’ve been able to feed back to course leaders any observations first hand).  I would appreciate the opportunity to develop these relationships further.

Dave Carter

Manchester Digital Development Agency

Elected 

I’m keen to continue my involvement in the MD Council especially given the crucial stage of discussions with the NWDA about future work developing the digital/creative sector in the North West. I have been working closely with other MD Council members to ensure that the NWDA and others recognise the crucial role that MD plays in representing the sector and organising high-profile events such as the Big Chip Awards. This is a  another exciting year for MD  following on from  Big Chip 10 and the 60th anniversary of “The Baby” computer  in 2008 and I’d like to continue this work.

David Bird

MMU Business School

Elected

As a Council member for 2 years now, I have been instrumental in bringing the attention of the Manchester education sector to the Association. A committed MD member involved in many activities, I have helped develop successful programmes to meet the needs of members’ future employees, developed the 2 hugely successful MD ProDev Days, developed many member events, pushed the education agenda within the Association, and ensured members’ voices are heard around the Universities. Vote for me again so I can continue this work ensuring that future University actions are always taken with the local Digital sector in mind.

Simon Wharton

PushON Ltd

Elected

Having been a Council member for several years, I believe I've played a small part in Manchester Digital reaching out to ever increasing numbers of digital agencies in Manchester and the North West. Over the next year I would be looking to keep expanding member benefits, primarily via useful events and relationships with complementary bodies.

Shaun Fensom

Elected

I was at the founding meeting of Manchester Digital in 2000, and I have been involved on the board and council ever since. I became chair in 2003. Over the last year Manchester Digital’s profile has increased notably, and membership is growing faster than ever. The priorities I see for the coming year are: to continue that progress; to streamline member sign up and renewal; to improve the way the organisation communicates with and involves members; to continue the exciting work on facilitating collaboration between members; and to help members find the skills and staff they need.

Matt Booth

Flashtemple

I’d like to be considered for the Manchester Digital council, as I feel it’s important for the council to have a voice from the freelance side of the industry. I’ve been in the design industry for the last 15 years, the last 10 of which in digital media. 2 years ago I decided to become a freelancer. In that time I've worked with the likes of Love, MN, McFaul, Poke, Tak!, Bloc, Tonic, Holler Sydney. I'm also the organiser for a monthly creative meetup in Manchester called Northern Digitals which brings together like minded creative’s together for an informal chat.

Stephen Greene

Stan

Enabling business to better communicate through today's media is increasingly important. Simply, our media is changing -- from mixing PR (think Twitter and RSS), digital and search marketing. With 16 years in the industry Stephen is looking to help develop greater awareness, use and interest in digital communications in the community through election to council.

Richard Nash

I'm standing this year as an individual, although I also have responsibilities to Tameside MBC and Manchester Business Consortium. I've been involved in setting up "Selling on the Web" & "e-business development programmes". I recognise the contribution that the Digital Sector makes to Manchester City Region Regeneration. I'm involved in a range of technology & enterprise initiatives. I'd like to continue on Manchester Digital's Council because I work closely with both supply and demand within the sector, and support fellow members. Thank you.

Katie Moffat

Elected

My interest is in how online PR and social media can help businesses communicate more effectively. I have over 15 years experience in the digital and PR industries. For the last 7 years I have been a freelance communications consultant, working with a wide variety of clients. An early adopter of technologies like Twitter, I recently organised the Manchester Twestival, raising £4000 for charity. I'd love to be a Council member and play a part in helping grow Manchester's reputation as a recognised centre of digital excellence that has some of the best digital talent in the UK.

Jono Brain

Love Creative Ltd

As someone who has worked in the digital industry in Manchester for 10+ years, I've watched it evolve into the thriving and diverse sector we see today. I've worked in two leading independent digital agencies (Code Computerlove and LOVE), so acutely feel the way wider industry dynamics affect businesses. I now feel that I'm in a position to contribute more to the industry in general and see Manchester Digital as the ideal platform for this. I enjoy both the technical and creative aspects of my work and feel well placed to develop new talent within the region.

Liane Grimshaw

Amaze plc

Elected

I am a Northerner, in fact, a Mancunian born and bread I am a Managing Partner at Amaze, the largest digital agency in the region I have been involved in the digital sector for more than 15 years (with the late night wrinkles to prove it) I will make the time, make a contribution, and share the workload with other council members to ensure the ongoing success of Manchester Digital and the initiatives we undertake I am opinionated and passionate and want to make things happen, not just talk I am a woman, and Manchester Digital needs more of us!

Eamonn Watson

My background and contacts in digital industres means I'd add value Successes and Achievements include:- Taking a sports internet start up to a£300m sale to BSkyB within three years Responsibility for commercially exploiting cross platform digital content on behalf of English football’s biggest brands for over 10 years Working with music's biggest labels as a consultant in Mobile DRM content Growing and selling an SME marketing Consultancy Company at a 250% profit in two years, whilst working with over 300 micro SME’s concurrently to advise on business growth.

Raj Mahapatra

Legal 2.0

Elected

Law first, legal management and now management with a bit of everything else. I have found myself in a bit of a niche at Manchester Digital and within the MD Council over the past few years. Given the heady title of “Secretary” within months of joining the council three years ago, I look forward to continuing to offer my assistance to the Council over the next year and, in particular, making sure that it continues to stay on the right side of the law!

Nina Mack

MadeWith

Elected

I’m standing for council because I’m passionate about the success of the Northwest’s digital sector and I’m keen to play my part in attracting and retaining talent to the region to ensure its continued success. MD has played an important role in helping me establish MadeWith (a digital marketing agency), and Mitooshi (a 3D visualisation company) so I understand the value of the extensive knowledge base and network of support which MD provides its members with. I believe that the experience I’ve gained in the last 10 years in the digital industries means I’m well-equipped to contribute to MD’s offering.

Nicholas Rhind

CTI Support Network

I’m a technical developer at heart so it’s no surprise that I’ve been able to set up one of the most technically competent web agencies in Manchester. CTI support a number of advertising and design agencies on a wide range of challenging projects. CTI have been operating for 6 years and have completed over 2,000 projects by working in collaboration. I would like to bring my experience and skills to the digital board to help ensure the digital community works collaboratively to safeguard the Digital Community in Manchester and push the boundaries of digital offerings.

Tim Dobson

As a STUDENT, who has been active within Manchester's digital communities for some years, it is clear that many more students would benefit from joining in. It's not just about making younger people more welcome, but also about supporting an exciting social space where skills and ideas can be developed and nurtured. If elected, I will develop greater interaction between young people and the community, and will encourage Manchester Digital to create further initiatives that ease the transition from education to work.

Paul Rouke

PRWD

Having already been an active member of Manchester Digital over the last 2 years, culminating in the planning and delivery of the 1st usability focused event in January, I would now like to transform my commitment and enthusiasm for the Manchester Digital cause and become one of the council members. Knowledge sharing and exploring collaboration opportunities is very much apart of my personal and company ethos, and by being one of respected council members this would allow me to maximise the benefits this brings to Manchester Digital members and the wider North West digital community.

Tony Foggett

Code Computerlove

Elected

As a previous council member I want to continue the work I have been doing on behalf of MD in improving the skills and talent development of our sector, as well as enhancing the reputation of the region on a national platform.

Rachel Cummins

Bright Digital

I have worked with Rachel for over 2 years and she has established herself as a key member of the Bright Digital team. She is highly motivated and has boundless enthusiasm and energy for all things digital. She currently heads up Bright Digital's social media and digital comms capability and is actively growing the business. She would be a great contributor to the Manchester Digital board. Alongside this she can draw on the talents and experience of Bright Digital with over 20 years running creative businesses. Thanks Roberto Simi (07515064400)

Richard Hudson

Vanilla Storm Limited

Elected

Re-election to the council for another year will allow me to continue working with the various sub groups I’m a member of. There are exciting plans within the Collaboration and Events group and I’d like to be able to continue to be involved with seeing these through. I’d also like to be able to continue helping with the planning of Big Chip 2009 and beyond. I have experience in both business and technical disciplines and a detailed knowledge of the public and private sector and represent the smaller digital companies in our membership, as I run one myself.

Lee D Turner

Fluid Creativity

Having started Fluid Creativity 8 years ago from a standing start and nil investment, we are now a leading provider of creative digital solutions with a 16 strong team. I am an advocate of great design, web standards, accessibility, oop, sem and all things creative in between. I can see the potential that Manchester Digital can offer, and would relish the opportunity to be involved in shaping the future of the digital sector and shouting about the fantastic work that is emerging from our region.