Scarborough Group hires former Bruntwood innovation lead

Scarborough Group International has appointed Bruntwood SciTech’s former head of innovation as director of innovation ecosystems, tasked with partnering with local universities, NHS trusts and other stakeholders. Deb Hetherington is a self-employed innovation consultant covering the health, technology and digital sectors, as well as an associate at Leeds Beckett University, where she supports research in the field of artificial intelligence adoption. She was previously at Bruntwood SciTech. At Scarborough, her work will centre on the 80-acre Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the Old Medical School in Leeds. “Through my experience working on multiple developments and building networks across innovation sites around the world, it’s become increasingly clear that the most important element for success is in the strength of partnerships within those ecosystems,” Hetherington said. “Building impactful and strategic relationships across public and private sector, with a shared vision and a strong appetite for collaboration, is key to growth.” Scarborough founder Kevin McCabe added: “Deb’s appointment reflects our commitment to advancing our innovation agenda. Her expertise in building ecosystems and her deep understanding of the needs of digital and tech businesses make her an invaluable addition to our team.”