In the coming weeks we’re going to be profiling each of the regions featured in the Tech Nation 2016 report. The first to be featured is the South West, which is home to four Tech Nation clusters
The economy of the South West has traditionally been very diverse, ranging from a strong tourist and food industry across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, to an industrial heritage in aerospace and silicon chips in Bristol. With over 135,000 jobs and a GVA of £3.3bn, the South West’s Digital Tech Economy is one of the strongest of any featured in Tech Nation 2016.
THE SOUTH WEST CLUSTERS – CLICK FOR MORE
Bournemouth & Poole
Bournemouth & Poole experienced 68% growth in GVA and the cluster is one of the top 10 clusters in the UK for employment growth and has the third highest density of digital tech businesses. The cluster’s strengths lie in its digital creative industry; App & software development and Data management & analytics, as well as a strong agency community working in Digital advertising and marketing.
Bristol & Bath
Bristol & Bath has continued to grow impressively; turnover has increased by 53%, and it is recognised by Centre for Cities and McKinsey & Company as one of the two globally significant digital tech clusters in the UK, including over 60,000 digital workers in the broader region. With a history in aerospace and digital software, the cluster’s specialisms now include Telecommunications & networking, Gaming, Virtual reality, and Cloud computing. Aardman, JUST EAT, IMDb, Oracle, IBM, Sony and Hewlett Packard have all been attracted by the strong digital ecosystem.
Exeter & Newton Abbott
Digital Tech Industries are central to Exeter’s economy. Between 2010 and 2014 it experienced a 161% growth in its digital tech employment, the highest in any cluster. The city scored highly on productivity during that period, with digital tech businesses reporting a turnover growth rate of 52%, while GVA grew by 84%. Local success Crowdcube has successfully funded over 345 companies.
Truro, Redruth & Camborne
While Truro, Redruth & Camborne is an early stage cluster, between 2010 and 2014 overall digital turnover rose by 153%. Early analysis indicates a growing expertise in Data management & analytics, Hardware & devices, Edtech, and App & Software development. The area has a history of innovation such as Goonhilly Earth Station, which received the first transatlantic TV images in 1962.
You can read about all the 27 digital clusters featured in Tech Nation 2016 by reading the report online. Alternatively, you can download the report or read the key findings.
