Dr Mike Short CBE, after 30 years in telecommunications with Telefonica, joined the Department for International Trade (DIT) in December 2017 as the Department’s first Chief Scientific Adviser until he became the first CSA in the newly formed Dept of Business and Trade in February 2023. He is now pursuing a portfolio career around innovation and research largely in telecommunications.

Mike led the Science and Engineering profession in the DIT and helped keep the Dept informed with the best science, engineering and technical advice. He advised DIT on the technical aspects of international trade deals, supported inward investment and engineering collaboration, and worked with the UK’s research, innovation and academic communities to boost scientific and engineering exports. He also represented DIT on many cross HMG committees and on the Board of Innovate UK for 4 years.

Mike has over 40 years’ experience in electronics and telecommunications and served as Vice President of Telefonica, the parent company of the O2 mobile phone network, for 17 years to December 2016. In this post, he managed the launch of 2G (GSM) and 3G mobile technologies in the UK, established an office in Brussels, and went on to lead international research, innovation and standards for Telefonica Europe.

Mike’s career includes the promotion of international technical standards in mobile and digital technology. He is a former Chairman of the Global GSM Association, the UK Mobile Data Association, and was President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 2011/2012.

He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Universities of Surrey, Strathclyde, Coventry, Leeds and Salford.

He has led the development and collaborations in areas such as smart cities, digital healthcare, cybersecurity and driverless vehicles.

He was honoured with a CBE in 2012 for his services to the mobile industry