Our Team

Connected Innovation is funded by Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex County Councils. The team report into the Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Board and the Essex Innovation Leaders Forum.

Our team have extensive experience working with innovative businesses across the East of England and an unrivalled knowledge of the region’s sectoral and investment opportunities. By forging strong relationships between innovation hubs, cluster networks, academia and business support partners (including access to finance and investment), they have helped to shape the innovation landscape in the East of England.

Photo of James Allen from our Connected Innovation team

James Allen

Connected Innovation Programme Manager

James manages Connected Innovation and is responsible for the region’s strategic activity on innovation, leading on the Local Action Plan with Innovate UK and engaging with key Government Departments, UKRI and investor networks. He has led regional innovation bids worth c.£10m,  including the DCMS Create Growth Programme (East Anglia) and Innovate UK Agri-Tech and Food Tech Launchpad,  overseeing their delivery. James also manages the relationship with the Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Board and Agri-Food Industry Council.

Photo of Scott Cogman from our Connected Innovation team

Scott Cogman

Innovation Hubs Manager

Scott leads on the Innovation Hubs network within the Connected Innovation Programme, establishing strategic relationships between the hubs, research institutes and academia and facilitating key conversations around issues such as grow-on space, funding, investment and connecting partners with local innovation support. Scott regularly attends UK Science Parks Association meetings to strengthen connectivity with innovation hubs and clusters around the UK.

Photo of Scott Burdon from our Connected Innovation team

Scott Burdon

Innovation Clusters Lead

Scott leads on the cluster activity within the Connected Innovation team, supporting with the development of and implementation of the region’s sectoral activity. Scott works closely with sector groups, Industry Councils (Agri-Food, Digital Tech and Energy) and cluster groups, such as Space East, Marine Science Technology Sector Council, East Wind, Tech East and Hydrogen East.

Photo of Rebecca Halfhide from our Connected Innovation team

Rebecca Halfhide

Project Coordinator

Rebecca supports the delivery of Connected Innovation across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, contributing to the growth of our innovation ecosystem. Her role spans marketing and communications, playing a key part in coordinating events that connect businesses, clusters, and academia. Additionally, Rebecca helps foster strong relationships with national and regional networks and delivery partners.

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Ready to make your mark?

Are you a business, hub, or investor interested in getting involved in Connected Innovation? We want to hear from you!