New chair for 5G innovation and research company WM5G

Tracy Westall, chair of Curium Solutions, Department for Transport non-executive director and former TechUK non-executive director is the new chair of digital connectivity and innovation company West Midlands.

She takes over from former Giffgaff chairman and co-founder Mark Stansfeld who leaves after four years in the role.

West Midlands 5G (WM5G) was the UK’s first region-wide 5G innovation company and is part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, 5G Tests and Trials programme.?

It was set up in 2018, WM5G has helped the West Midlands become the best-connected region in the UK for 5G. The organisation tests 5G services and has UK’s largest 5G test beds and has trialled in key sectors including health, manufacturing and transport; as well as helping over 700 SMEs accelerate their adoption of 5G.

Over the last two years WM5G has transitioned into a commercial entity, and had £20m of additional funding to accelerate uptake of 5G, Internet of Things and data/AI. It is involved in programmes, including the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), 5G Innovation Regions (5GIR) and the Levelling Up Smart City Region programme.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority region, said: “I’d like thank Mark for his outstanding work leading WM5G His understanding of the telecommunications sector have been key to helping us achieve our goals, putting the region at the forefront of 5G rollout, innovation and adoption”,

Stansfeld, said: “It’s been a pleasure Chairing WM5G over the last four years. Wwe’ve taken the business from a start-up with some challenging targets to a credible scale-up business with a leading position accelerating connectivity, innovation and adoption. It’s always difficult stepping down from a company that’s making a difference but after two successful terms it’s the right thing to do and I’d like to congratulate Tracy on her appointment.”

 Westall, added: “As a director since 2019 I’ve seen the company go from strength to strength under Mark’s leadership. The business faces important opportunities and challenges to scale the benefits of connectivity to everyone in the region”.