We are delighted to welcome Digital experience expert, Tom Wood to the management team and as a shareholder the Akcela incubator. Tom will work closely with start-ups in the incubator, bringing his specialist skills in product design and user experience as well as his knowledge about building and managing teams in high-growth businesses.
As Norwich’s only city centre business incubator Tom will also support in offering business advice within a lively community of entrepreneurs and mentors to help new businesses succeed and grow.
For those not aware of Tom’s background, he was the founder of global digital design agency Foolproof and was a Managing Partner at the firm for 19 years. He started the company in Norwich in 2002 and grew it to have an international client base with a team of over 200 people in offices in Norwich, London, Singapore, Cape Town and Pune. He sold the business in 2016 and left last year.
Our Managing Director, James Adams explained how Tom Wood’s arrival on their board will allow the incubator to grow and flourish in the years ahead.
“We’re really excited to have Tom join our team. As a founder and entrepreneur he has experience which will be incredibly valuable to the early-stage companies we support. Tom is well-known for his commitment to tech and creative businesses in the city. He’s been a community leader in business for over two decades.”
“Tom joining us further expands the wealth of experience the Akcela team has to offer early-stage companies, offering them more global knowledge and entrepreneurial support that will help businesses to break out and become national and internationally recognised brands. It’s another part of our drive to build skills, opportunity and wealth for the region.”
Tom Wood explained what motivated him to join Akcela.
“Working in a start-up incubator is exactly my kind of fun. There’s enormous energy and enthusiasm around early-stage companies. While I’m here to share some of the things I’ve learned from my career I’m also in a place where I can learn something new every day. Norwich is already known nationally for a lively start-up scene. I think that’s now at a tipping point where we can create some superstar companies of the future which will take on the world while making their home here in the city.”
From everyone at the Akcela team, we are looking forward to working with you and delivering the potential that we see in the businesses and community we support.