Dan Knowles
Founder and Lead Connector
Dan leads the business growth with a vast network of innovators and entrepreneurs across the North. He has an infectious enthusiasm for the region and is driven to support its future development.
Stacie Knowles
Director, Governance Lead and Business Operations
Stacie provides vast knowledge of audit and governance internally and with clients, ensuring the professional delivery and oversight of government-funded support projects.
Lekhana Manjunatha
Marketing Operations
Lekhana is actively building regional digital, tech, and cyber networks across northern England. With an MSc in International Business and Strategy from Lancaster University, she brings valuable expertise to her endeavors.
Alice Ashcroft
Associate Connector
Alice collaborates with Northern Reach to support innovative North West founders, driving growth through investments and hosting tech talks. She also champions women-owned Lancashire businesses to empower women entrepreneurs and promote inclusivity.
Sarah Pritchard
Event Coordinator and administration
As an event coordinator, Sarah supports the community coordinators to manage events, working alongside the team to create successful, memorable events. Sarah provides support to ensure the smooth operation of Northern Reach with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask efficiently to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Cat Mawdsley
Senior community coordinator and team lead
Cat supports and manages the development of a tech ecosystem and innovation projects within East Lancashire and specifically delivers the Burnley Borough Council contract on behalf of Northern Reach. With a passion for collaboration, inclusivity, and community. Cat is actively building networks including The Burnley Tech Network, Women in Tech and hyper local interconnection with the ManuTech cluster. Alongside her region, Cat also looks after our team of Community Coordinators across Lancashire, with a focus on enablement. Leading the team to find their own paths to success in order to support their specific regional communities.
Tasmin Lofthouse
Marketing Associate
Tasmin manages the digital marketing activity for Northern Reach projects, creating content that helps build the digital ecosystem across the North. She is passionate about using her skills to help start-ups and scale-ups thrive.
Kath Bell
Electech Community Coordinator
Kath works with Northern Reach to support the Electech Innovation Cluster. She has worked in sales and business development throughout her career, with experience in manufacturing, digital, charity and media. Kath cares about nurturing communities, supporting growing businesses, connecting people and ensuring the work and voice of Electech is spread across the country.
Stuart Lee
South Ribble Tech Community Co-ordinator
Stuart is our South Ribble Tech Community Co-Ordinator and is helping us build a vibrant tech community in South Ribble, harnessing the local expertise and ensuring collaboration and growth are at the fore.