New trade body chair says people are the heart of IT

The first woman elected to chair a leading national IT industry body has vowed to use her time in office to highlight the fact that people are the most important component in the tech sector.

Helen Brewster has taken the reins of the United Kingdom IT Association (UKITA), having been an active member for several years and is the organisation's first female chair person.

As the managing director of a Coventry-based IT training company, Helen has a strong overview of the sector and its needs, particularly when it comes to its key asset; people.

She explained: “This is a fantastic opportunity. I have worked in IT for more than 17 years and it's not just a job or a business to me – it's a passion.

“What often gets forgotten among the data cables, the hard drives and the broadband is that people are the most important factor when it comes to IT. This is true both within IT businesses and with regard to their customers. It is teams and individuals who translate real business need into technology solutions that drive organisations forward. When we recognise and strive to remember that, communication between our sector and others becomes much more straightforward.”

Helen established her own company, ATL Solutions, at the turn of the millennium and is also Client Experience Director at Birmingham-based IT services, software and support company, ACUTEC.

She has been widely praised in recent years for her commitment to increasing UKITA's membership base and profile. Her role as chair will see Helen further promoting the organisation and its membership, speaking regularly to the government on issues affecting the industry.

She added: “I am proud of this industry and I want to use my time as chair to continue to promote all that is good about IT and bust some of the myths while I am at it.

“I believe there is scope for IT companies to collaborate more and I believe that UKITA is a great way to make that happen.”

UKITA executive director, Andrew Corbett, said: “We are very pleased that Helen has agreed to take on the chair's role. She brings energy and commitment to the organisation and a people-centric perspective that can often be overlooked in our sector. As an organisation UKITA continues to build momentum as a voice for the IT industry and we welcome Helen setting the tone.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact Mark Waugh, Be Bold Public Relations, on 01952 898121 or email mark@beboldpr.com.

Caption: The newly appointed chair of UKITA, Helen Brewster, MD of ATL Solutions and Client Experience Director of ACUTEC.

Notes to editors

- UKITA, the UK IT Association, is the recognised trade association for SME IT, digital media and internet-related businesses throughout the UK. With its membership office based in Ludlow, UKITA is dedicated to creating advantage for its members, helping them to improve all aspects of their delivery and service.

- UKITA also aims to educate buyers to expect more from their IT suppliers and to know how to pick the best. The UKITA website (www.thegooditguide.co.uk) maps IT companies nationally, highlighting companies which are UKITA members and those which have achieved Quality Mark status.

- The organisation operates online and through its branch network. IT companies can join or get involved free of charge by joining the free B2B suppliers register or attending one of the IT-focused branch events. Annual Membership of UKITA costs from £160 + VAT and companies can join online at the UKITA website at www.ukita.co.uk, call 0800 862 0333 or email info@ukita.co.uk for more information.