The Connected Places Catapult has recruited Nick Chism as a Board  Member and Non-Executive Director  at what it calls an exciting time of growth for it and its partners, as it “continues to support and drive innovation across both public and private sectors in the UK and globally”. 

Chism was previously Chief Business Adviser and Director General at the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), where his portfolio spanned business engagement, growth and investment. 

He’s also been Global Chair of Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare at KPMG. As Deputy Head of Global Clients and Markets, he was responsible for KPMG’s sectors programme, focused on how industry experts could engage better with new technologies to create better solutions globally. He represented KPMG on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the CBI Infrastructure Board, and at the World Economic Forum. As global head of infrastructure at KPMG, Nick oversaw the growth of an advisory business active in more than 120 countries worldwide. 

“Connectivity and Place have never been more relevant,” he said. “These themes run through the great challenges of this decade – adjusting to new ways of living post COVID-19, charting a course for Net Zero, addressing the productivity issues that drive inequality and shaping new global networks. These call for the commercialisation of bold new ideas in a complex environment.” 

After stressing the importance of addressing the challenges we are facing post pandemic, he added, “Connected Places Catapult will play an important role in making this happen and I’m delighted to join a great team.”

Chism is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, and an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.