Ian Stoddart | Digital Connectivity Manager Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Council

Digital Connectivity Manager – Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire County Councils Ian Stoddart is a seasoned digital infrastructure leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic connectivity solutions across both the public and private sectors. As Digital Connectivity Manager for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils, Ian leads the design, coordination, and implementation of county-wide digital strategies to accelerate inclusive growth, improve resilience, and close the digital divide. Ian is instrumental in the delivery and design of the Nottinghamshire County Council Digital Connectivity Framework and the Derbyshire County Council Digital Connectivity Strategy, ensuring alignment with national priorities and local ambitions for gigabit-capable broadband, 4G/5G mobile coverage, digital inclusion, and innovation. His unique cross-county leadership has enabled collaboration between stakeholders, telecoms providers, planning authorities, and regional partnerships—including through pioneering initiatives such as the Digital Opportunities Network Nottinghamshire (DONN) and the Digital Interim Grant Scheme supporting connectivity in the hardest-to-reach communities. Prior to his local government leadership roles, Ian served as Head of Operations for Broadband - Fastershire, where he oversaw large-scale rural broadband rollout programmes, engaging with suppliers and communities to overcome complex technical and logistical challenges. His team successfully delivered enhanced broadband access across rural Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, setting a benchmark for similar regional programmes. Ian brings a strong private sector pedigree, having previously led enterprise infrastructure and continuity solutions with industry leaders such as IBM and Sungard Availability Services working with Private and a large number of Local and Central Government organisations. In these roles, he advised national and international clients on Business Resilience, Disaster Recovery, Data Centre Hosting, Cyber Security, and Managed Services, giving him a robust understanding of the digital foundations needed for both economic competitiveness and public service innovation. His expertise spans:

• Gigabit-capable Fixed Fibre rollouts in rural and peri-urban areas
• Mobile network improvement planning, including not-spot mapping and infrastructure coordination
• Driving cross-sector collaboration and policy reform to unlock investment and streamline digital infrastructure delivery
• Designing grants and interventions to stimulate demand and overcome digital exclusion
• Championing secure, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure for public services, residents, and businesses

Ian’s pragmatic and collaborative leadership, critical analysis skills  continues to position the East Midlands as a digitally competitive, resilient, and inclusive region.