Some roles shape organisations.

A few shape industries.

This role will help shape the UK's technology future.

Digital Catapult exists to accelerate the adoption of the advanced digital technologies that will drive economic growth, productivity and competitiveness for decades to come. Working at the intersection of industry, academia and government, we help transform emerging technologies into practical applications that create value for businesses and UK plc.

As our next Chief Technology Officer, you will be one of the most influential technology leaders in the UK's innovation ecosystem.

Leading our Research, Development and Innovation function, you will set the direction for our technology strategy, identify the opportunities that matter most, and help build the partnerships, programmes and capabilities needed to bring transformative technologies into mainstream adoption. Your judgement and leadership will influence how emerging technologies such as AI, quantum and advanced connectivity create impact across the UK economy.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to combine world-class technical leadership with national impact, there are few roles that offer a platform of this scale.

About Digital Catapult

We partner with businesses, investors and academia to identify valuable opportunities and create market pathways. We enable our partners to think creatively, build resilience and grow by using our expertise to equip them with deep tech capabilities and help them adopt innovative solutions. We focus on significant challenges and opportunities facing the UK's economy and society, where technology can play a major role in providing solutions.

Digital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network. Catapults provide a unique combination of cutting-edge R&D facilities and world-class technical expertise to support UK business innovation.

Our work spans artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced connectivity including private 5G and Open RAN, IoT and cyber-physical systems, photonics and immersive technologies, supported by specialist labs, testbeds and demonstrators. Around 260 colleagues work across London, Belfast and a growing national footprint. We are recognised for our technical authority, for de-risking early adoption, and for convening organisations that would not otherwise sit at the same table.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Technology Officer will provide strategic leadership for Digital Catapult's Research, Development and Innovation function.

Leading a multidisciplinary team of approximately 40 researchers, technologists and innovation specialists, you will shape the organisation's technology vision, research priorities and innovation agenda across artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced connectivity technologies, IoT, photonics and adjacent frontier technology domains.

You will oversee the development of our technology roadmaps, research programmes, specialist facilities and innovation portfolio, ensuring that investment and activity remain aligned to future market opportunities, industry demand, government priorities and measurable impact.

A central part of the role will be helping to translate emerging technologies into practical outcomes. Working across technology readiness levels, you will help create pathways from research insight and technical experimentation through to demonstrators, programmes, partnerships, commercial propositions and wider adoption.

You will build trusted relationships across industry, academia, government and the investment community, supporting the development of collaborative programmes and strengthening Digital Catapult's position at the heart of the UK's innovation ecosystem. Key stakeholders will include senior representatives from government departments, funding bodies, universities, research institutes, technology companies, investors and entrepreneurs.

The role carries significant external visibility. You will represent Digital Catapult in industry forums, advisory groups, strategic partnerships and public discussions, contributing informed perspectives on emerging technologies and helping shape conversations around future technology opportunities.

This is a role for someone who combines technical credibility with sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in helping organisations navigate technological change.

What you will bring

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:

Deep Technology Credibility

A strong track record within research, innovation or advanced technology environments, with recognised expertise in at least one of Digital Catapult's core technology domains, ideally artificial intelligence, quantum technologies or advanced connectivity technologies. You will possess the credibility to engage with leading researchers, academics, industry leaders and policymakers.

Technology Strategy and Foresight

Experience of defining technology strategies, innovation priorities and long-term roadmaps, informed by a deep understanding of emerging technologies, market trends and future opportunities.

Research Translation and Innovation

A proven ability to connect research excellence with practical application, creating pathways that enable technologies to deliver commercial, industrial or economic value.

Partnership and Ecosystem Leadership

A strong track record of building trusted relationships across government, industry, academia and funding organisations, together with the ability to convene stakeholders around shared innovation challenges and opportunities.

Leadership and Organisational Development

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing senior technical leaders, fostering cultures that encourage collaboration, innovation, inclusion and high performance.

Communication and Influence

The ability to communicate complex technical ideas clearly and credibly, influencing a wide range of audiences and representing an organisation effectively at senior levels.

Why join Digital Catapult?

• Lead one of the UK's most respected research, development and innovation functions focused on frontier technologies.
• Work at the forefront of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and advanced connectivity.
• Engage with government, industry, academia, investors and entrepreneurs across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
• Influence technology roadmaps, research priorities and innovation programmes of national significance.
• Help create pathways that accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of emerging technologies.
• Join an organisation with a clear public purpose, strong technical foundations and a distinctive role within the UK's future growth agenda.

Join us

If you are an accomplished technology and innovation leader who combines technical depth with strategic perspective and are motivated by the opportunity to help organisations realise the potential of emerging technologies, we would welcome a conversation.

At Digital Catapult, we recognise that diverse perspectives strengthen innovation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people from different backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints can contribute and thrive, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact: Sarah Luxford - Partner, Michelle Atkinson - Principal Consultant or Martyn Brereton - Senior Researcher

Email: digitalcatapult@gatenbysanderson.com

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date for Applications
Monday 12 October 2026 @ 9am

Preliminary Interviews with GatenbySanderson (Virtual)
Thursday 22 October 2026 to Tuesday 3 November 2026

1st Panel Interview
TBC w/c Monday 16 November 2026

2nd Panel Interview
TBC w/c Monday 23 November 2026

Leadership Assessments
TBC w/c Monday 30 November 2026

How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com