UKtech50 2012 - The most influential people in UK IT

Phil Smith started 2012 as the new chairman of the Technology Strategy Board, the government-backed innovation agency charged with dispersing millions of pounds of public sector funds to boost science and technology. As Cisco’s UK chief, he also had a big role to play in 2012, with the networking firm’s $500m investment supporting London’s Tech City and other tech start-ups. Cisco was a key London 2012 supplier, and as part of its contribution to the Olympics legacy the firm set up 30 Cisco Network Academies in East London schools. He was voted leader of the year at the latest National Business Awards.