The Connected Places Catapult has appointed Professor Greg Clark as its new chair on a three-year mandate
Professor Greg Clark is a world-renowned authority on urban innovation, future cities and mobility, who works with HSBC as a global executive leading its work on cities and mobility, and with TFL as a non-executive board member. He replaces Terry Hill CBE.
Connected Places Catapult
The appointment marks the start of a new chapter for the Connected Places Catapult. Before the advent of Covid-19, the organisation had identified two new priorities for its work: to ensure the wider of use of technologies accelerating the path to zero carbon buildings and transportation in the UK, and the drive to level up economic performance across all parts of the country.
It said Covid-19 has accelerated both the opportunity and the imperative to deliver on these goals. For example, it has instigated an immediate shift towards remote working, which could transform the geography of labour and housing markets, potentially reducing congestion in big cities and creating new opportunities for different parts of the country to attract or retain workers.
Technology will play key roles in supporting and incentivising these new behaviours, the CPC said. Coupled with wider decarbonisation in the production of energy, food, construction materials and consumer products through circularisation processes, they have the potential to support a better distribution of prosperity at the same time as reducing carbon emissions.
Ready to start a new chapter
Professor Clark said: “I am delighted to join Connected Places Catapult at this important time. Covid-19 has been a tragedy for our society and a major shock for our economy, but it can also propel us forwards by encouraging the adoption of new modes and patterns of travel, as well as more efficient ways to use buildings and deliver urban services and public spaces.”
Nicola Yates CBE, CEO of the Connected Places Catapult, said: “On behalf of the staff, the senior team and myself, we wish to thank Terry Hill for his dedicated leadership and service to CPC.
“With our refreshed strategy and working agreement with Innovate UK in place, we are ready to start a new chapter in the life of our organisation.
“We want to welcome Greg and the other new board members, who will join shortly as we redouble our efforts to support UK businesses and pioneering places address the opportunities for innovation the current moment brings.”
The Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s centre of excellence for innovation in mobility and the built environment. It was formed by the merger of the Future Cities Catapult and the Transport Systems Catapult in April 2019 to work with public and private sectors, local government and transport authorities to shape infrastructure investments, drive innovation and general new commercial opportunities.
