Session: Regional Innovation. World Class Connections
Sunderland Software City is a new initiative,
based in the North East of England, designed
to inspire and encourage the growth of the
Software Industry in the region, and to make
the area an attractive location of choice for
software businesses.
Bernie Callaghan will provide an overview on
some of the main achievements of the past
12 months of Software City, outlining the key
objectives and plans for the future.
Biography
Bernie Callaghan joined Sunderland Software
City as Chief Executive Officer in March 2009.
A graduate of Economics and holding an MBA
from Durham Business School, Bernie’s early
career spanned marketing, publishing and
the education sector, including roles at the
University of Sunderland where, as deputy
director for the Centre for International
Education, he was instrumental in driving
the strategic expansion of the University
throughout the world.
In 2000, he joined Leighton, one of the North
East’s most successful digital businesses, as
CEO working alongside his brother, Leighton
Group chairman Paul Callaghan. Bernie’s role
included managing the strategic development
of a portfolio of companies and new product
ideas, and the successful commercialisation of
the resultant Intellectual Property Rights.
In 2006, Bernie became part of the
management team which was established to
lead a £multi million buyout of 4Projects from
The Leighton Group. This was successfully
completed in July 2007 with him taking up
the role of commercial and international
development director, spending much of his
time helping develop the business’ presence in
the USA and Canada.
Bernie brings a wealth of experience,
knowledge and know-how to the Sunderland
Software City initiative. Developed specifically
to drive enterprise and growth in the software
industry in the north east region, the project
brings together a powerful combination
of expertise, knowledge and help for both
individuals and companies.
