South Wales and Western England join forces to form UK’s answer to Silicon Valley

Businesses, local authorities and academics from across South Wales and Western England gathered in Cheltenham today to launch a new programme to build the UK’s largest Cyber Super Cluster and become a leading destination for technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and advanced manufacturing. 

With cyber attacks from hostile states and fraudsters becoming increasingly prevalent, ensuring the UK can protect innovative businesses is becoming increasingly important.

As home to the Government’s Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and one of Europe’s most productive clusters of cyber businesses, Cheltenham sits at the heart of a wider area that has many of the organisations which are critical to ensuring the UK can stay one step ahead of such attacks.  However, with new AI technology becoming more sophisticated, cyber skills are likely to become more important for tech businesses in the future.

Local authorities and businesses came together to understand how the wider area can add to this to strengthen connections between these separate clusters, create new opportunities and ensure the UK can compete on a global stage to attract new cyber and technology companies and investment.  

Viscount Camrose, UK Minister for Cyber, said: “With technology developing faster than ever it is vital we make the most of the UK’s growing cyber and digital expertise – to keep us safe and reap the benefits of innovation like ground-breaking healthcare research and growing our economy.

“The Western Gateway’s work in bringing together local authorities, tech companies and academics to capitalise on the thriving industries in south Wales and the west of England will create more highly paid jobs and further strengthen the UKs position as a cyber power."

This work to create a “Cyber technology Supercluster” to rival Silicon Valley in America was organised by the Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England.  The partnership brings together over 28 local authorities from across with business and academic representatives to create new jobs and opportunities for local communities.

The launch took place at Cheltenham’s soon to be opened £9.27million Minister Exchange (MX) Innovation Centre which has been designed to be a state of the art workspace for the cyber tech, digital and creative sectors and a Growth Hub to support business development. 

Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway said: “I’m delighted to see the coming together of the UK’ world leading cyber expertise with our world class digital and creative industries. 

“A tech supercluster is not defined by one particular physical place working in isolation; it is where great minds collaborate, challenge and convene across business, government and academia.  Our combined vibrancy across Bristol, Cardiff & Cheltenham, with 12 universities and support from Tech Spark, Engine Shed, Tramshed Tech, Alacrity and others, is allowing startups and spin outs to flourish.

“Protecting our citizens, customers and colleagues is critical and will be best served by collaboration. I am confident that by working together across the pan regional area we can compete on the world stage.  

“International investors and businesses have security as a critical requirement, we need to raise the capability, skills and innovation here in our region. By doing so we raise the UK standing as an attractive place for high tech invocation and delivery.”

Viscount Camrose, UK Minister for Cyber, said: “With technology developing faster than ever it is vital we make the most of the UK’s growing cyber and digital expertise – to keep us safe and reap the benefits of innovation like ground-breaking healthcare research and growing our economy.

“The Western Gateway’s work in bringing together local authorities, tech companies and academics to capitalise on the thriving industries in south Wales and the west of England will create more highly paid jobs and further strengthen the UKs position as a cyber power."

Cllr Anthony Hunt, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and Chair of CCR Committee said: ““South Wales has great strengths in cyber and digital innovation as a home to the regenerative National Data Exploitation Centre (NDEC) and the Cyber Innovation Hub – a unique collaboration between academia, the public and private sectors to create new cyber companies and increase the pipeline of talent.  

“Through teaming up with Western Gateway partners, we want to help breakdown any barriers to collaboration for businesses across the border and attract new investors.”

Dr Jo Jenkinson, Director of the GW4 Alliance which brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, said: “Tackling global challenges through advanced cyber and digital is a core strategic priority of the GW4 Alliance. Through our innovative collaborative research across Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities and UKRI centres for doctoral training we bring together expertise spanning disciplines from human behaviour to hardware, providing technical solutions and tackling socio-technical challenges. 

“Across the Alliance, we have already seen technological success and scientific breakthroughs with the GW4 supercomputer Isambard and, later this year, Isambard-AI will be established as a new national Artificial Intelligence Research Resource. We look forward to working with the Western Gateway and partners to play a key role in advancing cyber and digital transformation.”