The chief executive of Wales’ largest supercomputing network has stepped down from his role after more than 30 years in international business.
David Craddock, CEO of High Performance Computing (HPC) Wales has called time on a glittering career, including over 20 years working in marketing and business development for global giant Unilever.
Craddock began working as a Market Research Officer at Unilever after completing his degree in Economics, Sociology and Maths at Middlesex University in 1973.
The 63 year-old worked his way up at Unilever, becoming Director of Marketing at one of its USA subsidiary companies. In his role at the firm, Craddock – responsible for a $1million marketing and PR budget – spearheaded the launch of a new fragrance company.
He then moved to the higher education sector, becoming the Commercial Director at Aberystwyth University. In his role, Craddock established an Enterprise Department at the University, consisting of 30 people over a five year period, and grew its commercial income and grants from £1m to £6m.
In 2011 Craddock become Chief Executive of High Perfromance Computing (HPC) Wales, responsible for the development and delivery of the venture’s strategy and business plan. He played a lead role in the team that created the vision and business plan for HPC Wales, recruiting an entrepreneurial team and establishing a national collaboration between the universities in Wales.
He was also influential in securing the £40m funding for the HPC Wales venture, including £24m from the Welsh Government, with support from the European Regional Development Fund, £10m from the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and £4m matched funding from University partners.
During his tenure as Chief Executive of HPC Wales, Craddock drove over £3.1 million of inward investment into Wales, assisting over 140 companies and helping to create 23 business-led research projects.
After calling time on his full-time career, David Craddock will now be offering mentoring support for start-up businesses, offering business planning consultancy, and will also be doing voluntary work for a community farm in his home county of Shropshire.
HPC Wales has announced Professor Sian Hope OBE as Interim Chief Executive and will announce its permanent CEO in due course.
David Craddock, also a keen golfer outside of the workplace, said:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work for HPC Wales over the past few years, from building the original business strategy, implementing it across Wales and beyond, and I wish the venture every success in the future.
“My goal in business has always been to overcome challenges – whether it is creating an advanced business plan or working internationally with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and we have achieved that so far in Wales.
“I’m now looking forward to settling down and doing consultancy work for start-up ventures across the UK, to help build the companies of tomorrow.”
Dr Grahame Guilford, chair of the HPC Wales board, added:
“I would like to thank David for his tireless contribution to HPC Wales, leading its development towards the progressive and exciting venture that is it today, and I wish him the very best with his retirement plans.
“We are now looking forward to the next chapter in HPC Wales’ history, seeking to expand the venture further, helping more businesses realise their potential with the support of supercomputing.”