The Victorian Government has announced that its Cremorne Digital Hub has entered a “new phase” in its development, appointing a new CEO and board.

The hub, which will continue its transformation from a manufacturing centre to attract high-tech businesses and innovation jobs, has appointed international business leader Mark Sims as its new chief executive as well as a new board, which it said would strengthen the state’s tech offering and encourage cross-industry collaboration.

Monique Conheady, a corporate executive and investor, will serve as inaugural chair of the Hub.

Sims has worked for numerous Fortune 100 companies and previously served as chief operating officer for Hong Kong-based EdTech company Xccelerate. Conheady is co-founder of Australia’s first carshare service Flexicar and Chair of JET Charge, Australia’s leading provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Joining her on the board are chief executive of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Scott Veenker, and co-founder of Artesian and Boab AI Matthew Clunies-Ross.

Shareholders in the Hub, including Carsales.com, investment firm Artesian and Melbourne, RMIT and La Trobe universities, have also announced they will work together on the Hub’s development in an effort to boost collaboration between academia and industry.

According to estimates, there are more than 700 businesses and around 10,000 workers already based in the precinct and the area is already home to successful Australian tech firms, including Carsales.com, SEEK, REA Group and MYOB.

“Cremorne is at the heart of Victoria’s digital boom, and we’re backing the Hub to play a critical role in boosting up our tech sector and attracting more investment and jobs to Victoria,” Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll, stated.

“We welcome Mark Sims and the other highly experienced business and tech leaders to the Cremorne board, knowing they can champion our state’s tech sector and propel Victoria to the forefront of digital innovation.”

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin, which has been named as the preferred bidder for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project JP9102, the Australian Defence Satellite Communications System, has announced a new partnership with the Victorian Government, establishing the state as the engineering and technical hub for its solution.

The multi-billion dollar project is expected to create more than 200 advanced space industry jobs in the state.