CEO, Digital Catapult

Odgers partnered with Digital Catapult to identify an exceptional Chief Executive Officer, with Susan Bowen assuming her role in March 2024.

Digital Catapult is an innovation organisation focused on the practical application of deep tech.

What attracted you to the role at Digital Catapult?

I've spent more than 25 years in the tech industry building out my career, having worked in enterprise, publicly listed companies and more recently private equity for the last eight years being focused across Europe and North America. The opportunity to attain that extra experience in public sector governance and academia-related work, for me, felt like it would round my career and expertise.

When I first met with the Odgers team, I was looking at what I wanted to do next, having spent five years in my last CEO role, it thought this would be a great challenge for me to take on. I am really excited to be part of Digital Catapult and to make a positive impact on the technology landscape for the UK.

What are your ambitions for your role in the near future?

When I first stepped into the role, I hadn’t anticipated we’d be heading as quickly (straight away) into a new government. But the experience of leading a predominantly publicly funded organisation through that transition, and now seeing the outcomes of a new administration, has been fascinating. Being part of the new Modern Industrial Strategy journey over the past 15 months has been incredibly rewarding.

It hasn’t been without its challenges. 

There’s over £2 billion in funding for AI development, with more than £600 million going into quantum computing, and significant investment in areas like compound semiconductors.

To be leading Digital Catapult at a time when R&D, academia, and commercial innovation are converging to drive economic growth, is just fantastic. We’re now able to demonstrate the real-world applications of deep tech, especially in how it supports start-ups and scale-ups across the UK. It’s a powerful moment: new technologies, new industry opportunities, and a government that’s genuinely backing it all. 

How was your journey with Odgers?

I've had a relationship with Odgers for around 10 years. I first came across Odgers when I was with Hewlett-Packard where I stayed for over 16 years, where I held general management before working with Cogeo Communications and Aptum Technologies/CloudOPs in General Management, Presidential, Chief Executive type roles within corporate and enterprise organisations.

I had already held two chief executive positions previously and knew I wanted to make a change in my career and utilise my 25+ years of commercial experience. So, I went to the Odgers team and started talking to them about where I would like to take my career next. 

I was coming out of a CEO role I’d held for five years in private equity across North America, and I was keen to return my focus to the UK and bring all the skills and tools I’d developed there into a new space. What really appealed to me was the opportunity to apply that experience in an emerging investment area—one where research, investment, and commercialisation are converging in the UK, especially around the commercialisation of R&D. 

Back in 2014, Mike Drew and I first met when I had not written a CV for the external market for 15 years as I had been so busy building my career inside Hewlett Packard. It was through the help of Mike and the Odgers team that I started to understand more about the current market and look out for my next step. Since then, and multiple roles later in 2024 I started my current role.

Success in Leadership 

Watch our interview with Susan as she illustrates her influence and leadership style, how to co-create team visions, and her three key elements to successful leadership. 

Watch our interview with Susan Bowen

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