Interim Governance Board to be established to further enhance Digital Greenhouse services
A key step in the evolution of the Digital Greenhouse to continue fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Guernsey
The Committee for Economic Development and Innovate Guernsey Board are announcing the establishment of an Interim Governance Board for the Digital Greenhouse - a key step in the evolution of the Digital Greenhouse and its role in fostering entrepreneurship, supporting start-ups, and enhancing skills in business, innovation and technology.
The new Interim Governance Board will report to the Committee for Economic Development and assume responsibility for the delivery of the Digital Greenhouse's services and support programmes, including oversight of its budget.
It will be chaired by Justin Bellinger - the existing Chair of the Innovate Guernsey Board - with membership including Barrie Duerden, non-voting member of the Committee for Economic Development, plus two more members of the Innovate Guernsey Board. The Interim Governance Board will also have a rotating seat to bring in flexibility and subject matter expertise as required.
The new Board will work closely with the Committee for Economic Development, the Innovate Guernsey Board, and the wider business community to develop the next phase of the Digital Greenhouse and its key role in helping deliver programmes, services, and products supporting innovation and delivery of priority actions under the new Digital, AI and Innovation Framework.
Justin Bellinger, Chair of the new Interim Governance Board for the Digital Greenhouse, said:
"We are keen to build on the great work of the Digital Greenhouse to date, and this latest move aims to further support local entrepreneurs and students by expanding on existing business accelerator programmes such as Startup Saturdays, Startup Academy, and the Digital Innovation Programme. By drawing in more industry insight and individual expertise, we can complement these existing initiatives to further drive local innovation."
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of the Committee for Economic Development and Lead for Digital, Skills and Entrepreneurship, said:
"Supporting innovation, technology adoption, and upskilling is a key priority for the Committee and essential to Guernsey's economic and sustainable growth, especially in this fast-moving age of AI. The Digital Greenhouse has played a central role in this since its establishment in 2016.
"Stronger engagement with industry at governance level has been on the books for a while, and so I am pleased we can announce this important next step which brings the work of the new Innovate Guernsey Board together with the mandate of the Digital Greenhouse. These interim arrangements will allow us to progress at pace the vision and the plans of the Innovate Guernsey Board and shape the future strategic and operating model of the Digital Greenhouse."
