One man is on a mission to turn our borough into a technology hub to rival Silicon Valley.

Khalid Sharif, 39, has big plans for the business hub which will provide space to new start ups and act as a support and advice network.

He would also like to get schools and businesses involved in his scheme which aims to stop the “brain drain” of people leaving Redbridge to work.

Mr Sharif, of Fullwell Avenue, Barkingside, said: “It’s just a movement at this stage. I want local people and businesses to get together. There are lots of us working in IT and we need to come together.”

He says that as someone who has set up his own technology company, he would like to be able to discuss the pitfalls and opportunities with other entrepreneurs.

So far he has arranged regular talks from IT experts and networking events but wants to take the project to the next stage.

He is looking for five people working in technology to advise with him on the project.

“Having set up my own business I would like people around me and to work in a cooperative working space,” he said.

“I’m looking for people who are interested in supporting it and to give advice on how to take this further. I want a real mixture of people from across the borough.”

He has a couple of possible sites in mind for the hub but at this stage is trying to gauge interest in the project.

If successful, he would like to get schools more involved and get technology and start ups on the curriculum.

“Creating jobs is key,” Mr Sharif said. “It will take years but it’s got to start here. We just need to come together and do this.”

He says he is keen to give something back to the borough after living and being educated here.

“I love this borough and it’s been good to me,” he added. “I want to put something back into the borough and create jobs. We have the best education in the country and people should stay in the borough or it’s like brain drain.”

• To get involved visit redbridge.launchrock.com