Tim Whitley, BT’s managing director for research and innovation, and managing director of Adastral Park, the company’s research and development headquarters at Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich, has joined the board of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

Dr Whitley is responsible for the development and practical application of new technologies to keep BT, and the UK, in a leading position globally, such as the next generation of ultrafast fibre broadband services.

Dr Whitley said: “I am very excited to join the LEP board. New Anglia LEP has an impressive track record for securing funding with a focus on enterprise and innovation, which we were delighted to help showcase at iExpo 2014, held at Adastral Park. I am looking forward to my new role supporting our most innovative clusters across both counties, and maximising the impact of the talented people and organisations we have in this region.”

Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP, said: “I am delighted to welcome Dr Tim Whitley on behalf of the LEP board. He will be a huge asset as we continue to push ahead with our ambitious agenda – encouraging and supporting innovation and boosting productivity.

“Tim’s national and international reputation for technology leadership shows that the LEP continues to attract the best and brightest in our region.”

Adastral Park is home to 3,500 BT staff and more than 70 other hi-tech companies employing 700 people, which form the growing Innovation Martlesham technology cluster.

Dr Whitley joined BT as an apprentice engineer. After studying at university, he spent 10 years researching into optical fibre amplifiers and their application in high speed communications systems. Optical fibre technologies, pioneered at Adastral Park, now underpin all global communications networks.

He is also a policy fellow with the Centre for Science & Policy, University of Cambridge. He lives in Felixstowe with his wife and four daughters.