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Sussex Innovation has announced its new Brighton Centre Director. Claire Pasquill, formerly Head of Programmes at the Sussex Innovation Centre in Falmer, will step into the new role upon the opening of the new Brighton Centre in Summer 2021.
Claire will report directly to Sussex Innovation’s Chief Executive, with responsibility for helping Sussex Innovation’s Brighton community of ambitious start-ups and scale-ups access advice and consultancy from the organisation’s in-house experts. She will also collaborate with local stakeholders and business groups to deliver a full programme of support, funding and events, and form connections between members of the community to share ideas and expertise and build more resilient businesses.
“We’re delighted to have been able to promote from within to fill this crucial position,” said Nigel Lambe, Chief Executive of Sussex Innovation. “Claire has walked the same path as many of the business owners in our community. She has also worn several different hats during her time with Sussex Innovation – from getting hands on with consultancy and coaching, through to designing our support programmes.
“Those experiences have left her with a deep empathy for our founders, as well as a rich understanding of what each business needs, and how to connect them with the right insight, support or inspiration to help them move forward. With Brighton’s businesses beginning their recovery from the shocks of the past year, her skills and expertise will be invaluable.”
Claire Pasquill arrived at Sussex Innovation in 2013, after stepping down as MD of a successful events management business. As Sales and Marketing Innovation Advisor, she has consulted and collaborated with more than a hundred of Sussex Innovation’s clients, helping them to develop their commercial business models, brand identities and strategic marketing plans. In recent years she has overseen the delivery of several keystone business support initiatives as Head of Programmes.
These have included two projects underwritten by the European Regional Development Fund which have resulted in more than 3,400 free hours of consultancy and practical support for local businesses, as well as a peer-to-peer networking group for directors of East Sussex’s fastest-growing businesses, in partnership with East Sussex County Council.
“The opportunity to work in the heart of Brighton and establish ‘IRL’ relationships with our new community is what is most exciting for me about this new role,” said Claire. “I’m reaching out to the impatient, ambitious companies of Brighton & Hove who need to be surrounded by other striving people. We’ll be opening the new centre this summer and so right now I’m building opportunities to collaborate with the community on our events programme – please get in touch if you want to connect.”