Joanna Shields to lead Tech City Investment Organisation

“I’m delighted that Joanna is joining the Tech City Investment Organisation. The success of Tech City shows just what can happen when we back some of our most innovative and aspiring companies to grow, helping the UK compete and thrive in the global race. Joanna’s experience will be hugely valuable in supporting Tech City as it goes from strength to strength, and as a Business Ambassador promoting the UK around the world.” - Prime Minister David Cameron

The Government has announced the appointment of Joanna Shields as Chief Executive of the Tech City Investment Organisation (TCIO).

Joanna is leaving Facebook, where she is Vice-President and Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa, to take up the role at the Tech City Investment Organisation in January 2013.

In addition to becoming chief executive of TCIO, she will also take up position as Business Ambassador for the Digital Industries.

Before joining Facebook, Shields was President at AOL, responsible for social and communications businesses, and previously served as chief executive of Bebo. She has also been Google’s Managing Director for Europe, Russia, Middle East & Africa.

The Tech City Investment Organisation (TCIO) was set up in April 2011 to support the growth of the tech cluster in East London, helping to make it Europe’s centre of innovation and the location of choice for tech and digital companies and investors. Its objectives are to: assist in securing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Tech City; engage with overseas VCs and help them to set up or start evaluating deal-flow in Tech City; and support the cluster, and raise its profile internationally.

Organisations in London's Tech City now include Google, Intel, Cisco, General Assembly, University College London and Imperial College London.

Joanna Shields said: “Working in the UK for the past decade has proven to me that this country has the potential to become a major force in digital innovation.  I’m thrilled to be taking this position at the Tech City Investment Organisation and proud to be a Business Ambassador for the UK for Digital Industries.

“Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with great entrepreneurs and innovators to create thriving new businesses and industries. The seeds have been sown in East London for a dynamic and successful cluster: we have the infrastructure, the technology and the talent, now we need to accelerate the growth.  I am looking forward to leading the Tech City Investment Organisation in the next phase of its development. With the right boost now, there is no reason why we can’t make London the number one location for tech in the world.”