Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) has announced the appointment of Mike Rigby and Richard Edge to its Board of Trustees, further strengthening the Charity's governance and strategic leadership as it delivers its ambitious five-year strategy.
The appointments bring significant expertise in regional partnerships, organisational development and workforce strategy. The Board believes this additional expertise will help the organisation deliver its long-term strategy and pursue its ambition to create lasting impact across the region.
Mike and Richard's appointments represent the second phase of a planned Board renewal process, informed by a comprehensive Board skills analysis commissioned by Chair Harriet Fear MBE last year. The review identified the capabilities needed to support the Charity's future ambitions and has guided a deliberate, evidence-led approach to trustee recruitment. As a result, each appointment complements the expertise already around the Board table, ensuring that Cambridge Science Centre has a diverse, strategically balanced Board with the skills and experience to support the organisation's continued growth and impact.
Chair of Cambridge Science Centre, Harriet Fear, said:
"As Cambridge Science Centre grows in both scale and ambition, it is essential that our Board evolves alongside the organisation. We were looking for Trustees whose expertise would not only strengthen our governance but would also help us deliver the ambitions set out in our five-year strategy. Mike and Richard each bring exceptional experience in areas that are increasingly important to our future.
Mike has spent his career building partnerships at many levels including national Government, influencing policy and connecting organisations across the East of England and beyond. His understanding of regional collaboration, stakeholder engagement and Westminster will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our role within the wider innovation ecosystem.
Richard brings extensive expertise in organisational development, leadership and workforce strategy. As we continue to grow, attracting, developing and supporting outstanding people becomes ever more important, and his experience will help ensure we continue to build an organisation that is both ambitious and sustainable.
Both appointments were made very deliberately to complement the skills already around our Board table, and I am delighted to welcome them to Cambridge Science Centre."
Mike Rigby
Mike Rigby is a regional strategist, communications specialist and founder of Eastern Promise podcast, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that connects leaders from business, academia, local government and more across the East of England and beyond through live events and its popular podcast. He previously spent more than 15 years advising an East of England MP on public policy, stakeholder engagement and parliamentary affairs, while also building strategic partnerships across the region.
Mike Rigby said:
"A key theme throughout my career has been bringing people and organisations together across the East of England to address shared challenges and create new opportunities. Cambridge Science Centre is doing exactly that through STEM engagement — connecting schools, industry, universities, and communities to inspire the next generation.
As Cambridge Science Centre continues to grow, I look forward to helping strengthen its regional partnerships, broaden its influence and ensure even more young people benefit from the outstanding work of its team."
Richard Edge
Richard Edge joins the Board with more than two decades of experience in organisational transformation, executive leadership, workforce strategy and career development. He has advised organisations across the UK and internationally, held senior leadership roles within the NHS and Qatar’s healthcare system, and now leads an international executive advisory practice specialising in leadership development, executive career progression and the future of work.
He is particularly passionate about widening access to opportunity and helping people from all backgrounds fulfil their potential.
Richard Edge said:
“Throughout my career, I have seen how access to the right opportunities, encouragement and experiences can transform someone’s future.
Cambridge Science Centre has an ambitious vision for the future, and I’m delighted to be joining the Board. I look forward to helping the organisation grow in a way that is innovative, resilient and sustainable, while remaining true to its mission of inspiring more young people through STEM.”
Chief Executive of Cambridge Science Centre, Rebecca Porter, said:
"Cambridge Science Centre's next phase of growth will be built on collaboration. As we expand our programmes, deepen our relationships with industry, academia and government, and extend our reach across the East of England, having the right expertise around our Board table has never been more important.
Mike's experience building regional partnerships and bringing organisations together will help us strengthen the ecosystem that supports young people to thrive. Richard's expertise in organisational development, leadership and workforce strategy comes at exactly the right time as we continue to build the Charity's capability, invest in our people and deliver even greater impact.
Together, they strengthen an already exceptional Board, and I look forward to working with them as we deliver the next chapter of Cambridge Science Centre's journey."
Together with the appointments of Jimmy Doherty, Tamara Sword and Ayeisha Kone-Massouma earlier this year, these latest additions reflect Cambridge Science Centre's deliberate approach to Board development, ensuring every trustee brings expertise aligned with the Charity's strategic priorities and the needs of the communities it serves.
