Philip Colligan

Philip Colligan, CBE, serves as president and chief executive of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, an educational charity focused on advancing computing education and digital skills for young people worldwide. Colligan oversees the Foundation’s charitable initiatives, including outreach, learning resources, grant-giving, and partnerships with government and other organizations. The Foundation, known for the Raspberry Pi computer, develops educational programs and products that support millions of learners and educators, including the world’s largest networks of computing clubs for children.

Under Colligan’s leadership, the Foundation has played a significant role in the global conversation around computing education and artificial intelligence literacy. The organization provides schools with free curricula, classroom resources, software tools, and professional development for teachers, aiming to empower educators and inspire students to become technology creators. Colligan advocates for coding and digital literacy as essential skills for navigating and contributing to the evolving landscape of AI and technology. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring equitable access to technology education, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Colligan previously served as a non-executive director of Raspberry Pi Ltd and contributed to the company’s initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. Before joining the Foundation, Colligan held leadership roles at Nesta, including deputy chief executive and executive director of the Innovation Lab, where he supported innovation in government, public services, civil society, and business. He was a founder of the Behavioural Insights Team and a founding trustee of Centre for London, and has advised the UK Cabinet Office and international organizations on social innovation.

Earlier in his career, Colligan was a chief officer at the London Borough of Camden and a senior civil servant in the Home Office. He is a member of the UK Government’s Digital Skills Partnership and the Advisory Council of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations. Colligan was awarded a CBE for services to engineering and technology for societal impact. His career spans public policy, social innovation, and technology education, establishing him as a prominent voice in computing, AI literacy, and equitable access to digital skills.