Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury has announced the membership of the new Department of Trade and Industry body designed to drive UK technology and innovation.

The Technology Strategy Board will identify and back key technologies to give the UK a competitive advantage. It is chaired by Graham Spittle, director of IBM's Hursley laboratory. It will meet for the first time on November 1. It is made up of business leaders and venture capitalists with a range of technology, regional, and investment expertise.

The board will determine priorities for £320 million DTI funding over the period 2005 to 2008 to support businesses investing in new and emerging technologies.

Board members are: Board members are: Chair - Graham Spittle, Vice President, Business Integration Development and Director, Hursley laboratory, IBM; Dr Catherine Beech, Founding Partner, Cambridge Gateway Fund; Dr Alan Begg, chief executive of the Automotive Academy; Dr John Brown, chair of Scottish Biomedical and former chief executive of Acambis plc; Dr Joseph Feczko, president, worldwide development, Pfizer Anne Glover, co-founder and chief executive of Amadeus Capital Partners Limited; Dr Mike Howse, director, engineering and technology - Rolls-Royce; Dr Julia King, principal of the faculty of engineering, Imperial College, London Dr Michael Walker, group research and development director, Vodafone Group