Catalyst has today announced the appointment of experienced business leaders Tessa Breslin and Lee Tedstone to its board.
Catalyst is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub with a vision of ‘opportunity for all from world-leading innovation’ and supporting entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland from its hubs in Belfast and Derry.
The board, led by Chairman Neil Crockett, includes people with a diversity of innovation and business expertise and works closely with Catalyst’s executive team to guide it on its journey to help Northern Ireland become an easier place to innovate and collaborate.
Tessa Breslin is an internationally experienced leadership consultant, non-executive director, and executive coach who has recently launched an independent leadership consulting practice in Northern Ireland.
Previously she served on the Board and as Managing Director (North America) of YSC, a global, leadership strategy consultancy, advising Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 CEOs and C-suite leaders on their leadership strategy, talent development, and CEO succession. She is Vice Chair of the Queen’s University, Belfast Foundation and serves as a Non-Executive Director on other Boards.
Tessa Breslin said: “I’m delighted to join the Catalyst Board and be part of the team that creates opportunities for all through world-leading innovation. I’m particularly passionate about enabling founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders to realise their own potential and that of their teams and businesses, to create value in the Northern Irish economy and impact in the world.”
Lee Tedstone is an experienced technology and business leader with a strong track record in digital transformation, industrial innovation, and scaling high-growth companies. As CEO of Kobai, Lee has been instrumental in helping organizations leverage AI, data, and automation to drive operational efficiency and business success.
He previously held senior leadership roles at AVEVA, where he focused on business growth, M&A, global partnerships and industrial software solutions and now is mentor/investor at many other technology startups.
Lee Tedstone said: “I’m excited to be joining the Catalyst Board at such a pivotal time for innovation and technology in Northern Ireland. Catalyst has been instrumental in driving forward-thinking initiatives that support entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. I look forward to contributing my experience in scaling technology-driven businesses and helping to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem.”
Neil Crockett, Chairman of Catalyst said: “It is fantastic to be able to add people of the calibre of Lee and Tessa to the Catalyst board. Both are passionate about fostering innovation and collaboration.
“They bring a tremendous amount of experience, expertise and insight from their respective careers, which will be invaluable as we support the executive team to implement Catalyst’s strategic vision of enabling opportunity for all from world-class innovation.”