ESpark names Lucy-Rose Walker as new chief executive

Business accelerator Entrepreneurial Spark (ESpark) today appointed co-founder Lucy-Rose Walker as chief executive officer.

Lucy-Rose Walker becomes chief executive at ESpark. Picture: Contributed

She takes the reins from Jim Duffy, who favours the title “chief executive optimist” and is assuming the role of “head of #GoDo” when Walker starts the role on 30 June.

The organisation – which styles itself as the world’s largest free accelerator for start-up and growing ventures – said Walker takes over in a period of very high growth, and “will be focusing on further developing the people and processes behind the businesses, encouraging more female entrepreneurs to start their own company, and is also seeking to double the reach of entrepreneurs on board the accelerator”.

Walker has appointed Gayle Mann as head of enablement, and said that as chief executive she aims to “offer an even greater accelerator programme to aspiring entrepreneurs across the world”.

ESpark recently announced a partnership with tech specialist EMC to enhance its tech offering.