Past Chamber president takes up role supporting scale-up companies  

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce past president Deb Leary is to take up a new role as scale-up director with innovation support programme Innovate UK EDGE.

Deb (pictured) will be using her vast experience to support scale-up companies, comprising the top three per cent of Innovate UK EDGE clients nationally - specifically those who have demonstrated compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of 50 per cent or more over the last three years.

Innovate UK EDGE provides support for ambitious innovative businesses to help them grow and scale.

It is a key part of the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, and their investment in the game-changing businesses that drive economic growth.  

Deb, the founder of pioneering forensics and threat intelligence firm Forensic Pathways, joined the GBCC board in September 2019 and served as president between 2021 and 2023.

Upon taking the new role, she will be stepping down as a non-executive director of the GBCC.

Deb said: “I’m absolutely delighted and excited to be appointed to the role of scale-up director.

“My passion for the past 22 years has been innovation, internationalisation and providing strategic support to other companies, whether through my role as CEO of Forensic Pathways or as president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

“This is an opportunity to work with some of the most ambitious high-growth potential innovative SMEs in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and support them in accelerating their journey to significantly scale; helping them structure their companies to be able to seize global opportunities and to become tomorrow's global success stories.

“What’s not to love about that?!”

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “Deb has been a fantastic support to the Chamber both on championing member engagement and cyber security as an NED and through acting as a high-profile champion for our institution and advocate for SMEs, international trade and innovation during her presidential term.

“I will certainly miss Deb’s insight and energy around the boardroom but am absolutely delighted to continue working with her in this new guise. She will be an asset both to Chamber and Innovate UK EDGE.”

Amerdeep Mangat, head of programmes at the GBCC, said: “We are proud to be a delivery partner of Innovate UK EDGE support.

“Our expert advisors are here to help high innovation potential businesses understand, protect and commercialise their IP, connect to support from Innovate UK and beyond, grow and scale.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Deb to the team in this critical role ensuring the UK’s highest potential scale up businesses achieve their potential.”

Find out more about Innovate UK Edge.