Noelle Godfrey, Director of the Connecting Cambridgeshire digital connectivity programme is retiring this month (January 2023) having worked for Cambridgeshire County Council for 33 years.

Noelle has led many highly successful collaborative digital infrastructure projects and gained widespread national and local recognition for her dedication to improving digital connectivity for all.

Her energy and expertise in leading the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme over the past decade has brought significant improvements in broadband, mobile and public access Wifi coverage for homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, whilst pioneering innovative use of next-generation ‘Smart’ technology to help to tackle transport and environmental challenges.

As a result, most homes and businesses can now access superfast (and faster gigabit) broadband, free CambWifi is helping people get online in more than 250 public places, better mobile phone services are more widely available, and local sensor networks are helping to monitor traffic, flooding and air quality in market towns.

Noelle’s legacy also includes founding Cambridgeshire Public Services Network (now EastNet Partnership) saving connectivity costs and supporting joined-up public services, and establishing the pioneering LightBlueFibre joint venture with the University of Cambridge to extend digital networks by sharing assets and incorporating fibre ducting in all new infrastructure.

Noelle has been voted as one of the top 10 Female GovTech Leaders in UK, is a #DigitalChampion for MobileUK, and has played a leading role in government and industry digital connectivity forums.

However, Noelle won’t be taking things easy in her retirement – as a dedicated rock climber and member of the Pinnacle Club for women climbers, she has set herself the challenge of completing 60 ‘very severe’ rock climbs in 2023. 

The new Connecting Cambridgeshire Programme Director is Ceren Clulow, who previously led Nottinghamshire County Council’s digital connectivity work.