Lancashire Digital Economy Report 2021 - Lancashire
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Lancashire Digital
Economy Report 2021
Produced by: In partnership with:
Lancashire
Enterprise Partnership
02 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Welcome to Lancashire 03
Welcome to Lancashire
Contents
p2/3
Welcome To
Lancashire Located in the heart of England’s North West, and bordering the city-regions A Northern powerhouse in its own right
of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, Lancashire has one of the largest regional
p4/5 economies in the UK.
Lancashire’s People, Productivity & Investment & Support For
Digital Dashboard Potential Business
Just over two hours from It’s also home to swathes of There’s also arts centres, With a £34 billion economy, House prices are around half that Lancashire has a powerful
p6/7 London by train, the county
is also well connected via six
unspoilt countryside including
The Forest of Bowland - a
live music venues, theatre,
galleries and museums
Lancashire is home to 1.5 million
people (with a further 6 million
of the national average. As a result,
ecosystem based on a strong
private and public sector
Applied major motorways. The rest of designated Area of Outstanding located across the county. living within an hour’s drive). Lancastrians see their money partnership which underpins
the world can also be reached Natural Beauty - and miles of The region is also home to over its economic prosperity.
Technology
easily via international airports rugged coastline. Major events, from outdoor 52,000 businesses employing go much further.
p8/9
at Manchester and Liverpool. theatre to folk music festivals, over 600,000 people. The Lancashire Enterprise
And if that’s not enough, the and from hit musicals to Partnership has, for example,
Lancashire is a diverse and Yorkshire Dales and the Lake international air shows, are The county has a large, diverse established a technology
Delivering and rail connectivity, with energy, automotive, food
dynamic region geographically, District are right next door. hosted throughout the year. skills base across professional sector group, led by local tech
Digital Data culturally and socially. and skilled trades, and offers a excellent north-south and production, and many other entrepreneurs and digital
Such diversity is also reflected Lancashire also has a great highly cost-effective location east-west access. key sectors. business leaders, which advises
p10/11 It offers a fantastic blend
of bustling urban centres
in its rich cultural and leisure
offer. We’ve award winning
sporting tradition, an
extensive range of exciting
for businesses.
By train from Preston, Our strength and expertise in
on the county’s technology
investment strategy.
Cyber Security (including Preston, Lancaster, English pubs and Michelin outdoor activities, great Wages are, on average, lower Manchester Piccadilly is such tech-hungry sectors is
& Coding Burnley and Blackburn), starred restaurants through to shopping - and much, much than the UK’s average, while just 36 minutes away, while also evidenced by the calibre We also have the Lancashire
picturesque rural villages, and street food, artisan producers more - all on your doorstep. house prices are around half Manchester Airport can be of the businesses already here, Innovation Board, a private
p12/13 lively seaside resorts (such as
Blackpool and Morecambe).
and farmers’ markets.
Find out more at
that of the national average. As
a result, Lancastrians see their
reached in less than an hour.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
including Rolls Royce, BAE
Systems, TRW, Sanko-Gosei,
and public sector group which
oversees the delivery of the
Industry-led www.visitlancashire.com money go much further. is also only 45 miles from Safran, PACCAR, Toshiba county’s strategic Innovation
Innovation Preston and can be reached by Westinghouse, Victrex and Plan for its technology sector.
Employers can also benefit, car within 60 minutes. Flavourfresh.
p14 saving significantly on their
salary bill without having to In addition, Preston station Aerospace in particular is a core
Further, there are regional
investment programmes
Digital Health compromise on talent. has three trains an hour direct economic strength. With around to support scale-ups such
& MedTech to London, with a journey time 500 aerospace businesses, as the Northern Powerhouse
Morecambe Over a third of Lancashire’s of under 2.2 hours. Lancashire is not only the UK’s Investment Fund and Access To
p15
working age population is largest aerospace-related Finance.
Lancaster
educated to degree level A Proud Technological Tradition employer, it is also home to one
or above, while its student Lancashire has a long, of the largest aerospace clusters In addition, Lancashire
Key Tech
population - spread over proud history of industrial in the world. enjoys significant investment
Sectors
four universities - is over innovation which stretches and support from national
p16
55,000. Lancashire also has back to the birth of modern In addition to these companies government. As a result,
Garstang 13 FE colleges, many of which manufacturing. Richard investing heavily in their own Lancashire is the only UK
Fleetwood
specialise in vocational skills Arkwright’s revolutionary technological capabilities, many region to have been granted
E-commerce & and apprenticeships directly cotton spinning technology of them are working closely four Enterprise Zone sites
Colne
Creative Industries Poulton-le-Fylde Clitheroe aligned to the technology sector. - developed in Lancashire in with their supply chains and our (special investment areas
Nelson 1767 - is widely credited with universities to drive new digitally specifically designed to help
p17 Blackpool
Burnley
Vocational courses (ranging
from NVQ Level 2-7) include
kick-starting the world’s first
industrial revolution.
based R&D opportunities. businesses grow).
Digital Sector Preston Accrington software development, IT, web Lancashire is also pursuing One of these, at Samlesbury, is
Support Lytham St. Annes
Blackburn
design, data analytics, data Today, this dynamic rapid growth in other emerging primarily focused on industrial
Leyland science and cyber security. entrepreneurial tradition is technology sectors such as technological innovation and
p18
Rossendale
reflected in Lancashire’s global MedTech, 5G, Future Mobility, digitalisation, while the Warton
Rawtenstall Commercial Connectivity reputation for excellence in UAVs, renewables, CleanTech, EZ is a prime site for CAV and
Testimonials Chorley Lancashire enjoys superb road advanced manufacturing, AgriTech and MarineTech. other Future Mobility R&D.
Preston Manchester Manchester Airport London
p19 Ormskirk
About This Skelmesdale 36 mins 60 mins 2 hrs 15 mins
Report
04 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Digital Economy Dashboard 05
Lancashire’s Digital Economy Dashboard
A Dynamic Digital Economy Key Tech Sector – Telecoms Key Tech Sector - Energy
£1bn+ £1bn+ Information and
Communications sector
2nd
largest tech
37,000
working in the power
employment sector
28% 28% GVA sector growth generation sector
in the last five years
200+ 3,500
30% 30% growth in wireless communications
sector over last five years Lancashire telecoms
businesses
nuclear
specialists
20% 20% increase in computer
sector in last five years
5,300 30%
region produces
3x Tech sector set to outstrip telecoms
staff 30%+ of UK’s low
local economy 3x by 2028 carbon electricity
Technology and Digital Employment Computing & Software Skills Key Tech Sector - Advanced Manufacturing Key Tech Sector – E-commerce
30,000+ 15,000 84,000 £1.3bn
digital & tech software
professionals professionals manufacturing e-commerce
professionals market
4,000+ 7,000
digital & technology
businesses
computing
professionals
2nd £3m+
highest concentration
average company
of manufacturing
2,000 4,000 activity in UK
turnover £3m+
firms in Lancashire’s students studying Computing
computing sector & Mathematical Sciences
One 5,000
1,000+ +100% of the world’s largest employed in digital
computing, technology and
software publishing sector has
engineering graduates
doubled over last 5 years aerospace clusters retail sector
each year
06 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Applied Industrial Technology 07
At the heart of Applied
3,500
Industrial Technology Lancashire is
home to 3,500
nuclear specialists
The county has also recently
been working in partnership
with the government on two
pioneering skills projects, the
DCMS-funded Fast Track Digital
As digitalisation accelerates, many of Lancashire’s major industrial sectors are developing
Workforce programme and the
and deploying advanced technologies which need to be smart, scalable and secure. DfE’s Digital Skills Bootcamp
pilot (which is now rolling-
One of the core foundations established tech-dependent digital health apps, are just This has led to the formation Industry partnerships & out nationally). Both schemes
of Lancashire’s thriving industries such as aerospace some of the MedTech areas of both the Electech Innovation pilots have enabled employers to
economy and high-value and energy, and related sectors which are growing. Cluster (ETIC) and Tech Lancashire is renowned for its fast-track people into digital
skills base is its globally - have embraced new digital Lancaster – two industry-led participation in government employment in skills shortage
recognised aerospace, energy technologies and advanced Lancashire also has an agile IT consortia of tech businesses and industry-led technology areas such as electronics
and advanced manufacturing production methods. support sector, with expertise whose aim is to bridge the gaps pilot schemes. technology, software
sectors. By their very nature, in managed IT, cloud and between electech research, programming, cyber security,
these industries are entirely Growth areas here include network services. R&D, government policy, and An example is the digital marketing, and DevOps.
reliant on technological advanced materials, education. government-backed Made
innovations, bespoke digital CNC, robotics, additive A fast-growing electech Smarter Industry 4.0 support Another example is the
solutions, and highly secure manufacturing, precision industry Founded by eight major programme which offers ACaDEmE programme, a
(yet scalable) systems, to engineering, VR and digital The Morecambe Bay and electech firms - Forsberg, Like funding and advice to SMEs partnership between BAE
remain competitive. twins, low carbon solutions, Lancaster areas are, in particular, Technologies, LiNa Energy, regarding the adoption of Systems, Lancaster University,
and intralogistics. home to a growing cluster Marl, Milliamp Technologies, more advanced manufacturing and local SMEs, which
This - coupled with the rapid of companies specialising in OTAQ, NHT Electronics and technologies. Lancashire was enables training for students,
migration to cloud-based Public health and social care electech; industrial control Rinicom - the ETIC and Tech one of the first areas to pilot apprentices and young people
platforms, edge computing, are other areas where the systems, navigation technology, Lancaster are backed by the scheme, which is now in technical disciplines such
IIoT, predictive maintenance, county’s technology suppliers battery storage, hi-tech Lancaster University, RTC being rolled-out in other as additive manufacturing and
and other digitalised and are pivoting to meet changing electronics assembly and other North, the UK Electronics Skills regions. Virtual Reality.
Industry 4.0 processes - market needs. Telemedicine, disciplines. Foundation, and Innovate UK.
means having robust and 3D-printing, and personalised
reliable cyber security at every
level of the business is crucial.
Lancashire’s world-leading
cyber security expertise, in Lancashire’s world-leading cyber Our fast-growing electech offer
security expertise, in both industrial
UK #1
both industrial and critical
infrastructure settings, is reflects how Lancashire’s deep
therefore playing a vital role and critical infrastructure settings,
Biggest provider of supply chain has adapted to meet
within these and other tech- is playing a vital role within tech
hungry industrial sectors. aerospace-related new commercial needs
dependent sectors jobs in the UK
In addition, our universities
are driving technology-
based R&D programmes in
partnership with industry, and
are devising and delivering
courses and vocational training
which is directly aligned to the
digital demands of employers.
There is also enterprise-
level connectivity embedded
throughout the county,
including a gateway to a subsea
fibre network across the North
Atlantic.
A digitalised supply chain
Lancashire’s deep supply
chains - which already serve
08 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Delivering Digital Data 09
Delivering Digital Data
Lancashire has been at the frontline of the UK’s advanced telecommunications industry
for a generation, and telecoms is the county’s second largest technology employer.
With vast expertise across on 5G within advanced Already having achieved 80%
fixed-line connectivity, manufacturing, and Edge domestic and commercial
industrial cabling and ethernet The region’s Hill University, which coverage in Blackburn, the
networking, data transfer and has dedicated research company has plans to extend
storage, VoIP technologies
concentration of programmes linked to wired, its reach to four million
and wireless, the county is communications wireless and 5G networking. premises by 2025.
now embracing the exciting
opportunities offered by equipment Commercial communications Lancashire has also invested in
5G/6G, private networks, IIoT connectivity high-speed, high-volume global
and Industry 4.0 connectivity. manufacturing is Lancashire is rapidly connectivity. This is exemplified
building capacity to enable by its coastal gateway to the
The county’s wireless industry over four times faster, higher volume - and North Atlantic Loop; a high-
alone has seen over 30% more secure - transfer and capacity, ultra-low latency
growth between 2014-19, while
the national storage of digital data. With subsea network which connects
the region’s concentration of excellent fibre connectivity the county directly to North
average
communications equipment already installed in many America and Europe.
manufacturing is over four conurbations, next generation
times the national average.
In March 2021, Rossendale- of the Future testbed to the
digital infrastructure is being
rapidly rolled-out.
This connection means that
Lancashire companies can
enjoy faster transatlantic
4m 30%
based Mission Labs (who county. This includes a new county- switching speeds via New Starting in East 2014-19 saw
developed the CircleLoop VoIP wide gigabit network being York rather than being routed Lancashire, Wireless 30% growth in
telephony product for micro- Backed by government, and developed by IX Wireless. through a London exchange. IX has a target of Lancashire’s wireless
businesses), was acquired by based at the Salmesbury four million gigabit industry
the Gamma software group in a Enterprise Zone (adjacent Unlike traditional ‘dig and cover’ Having access to this network connections by 2025
£46m deal. to the AMRC NW), the facility operators, IX Wireless deploys - which has the capability
brings major players from a fibre ring, carried above to carry more than 30% of
Outstanding telecoms talent the private and public ground on its own telegraph pole the world’s internet traffic
Lancashire’s mature sectors together to drive the infrastructure (as well as fixed - also creates significant
telecoms sector means it development, deployment wireless technologies) to deliver opportunities within the
has an established, highly- and adoption of 5G-enabled gigabit capability. hyperscale Data Centre market.
skilled telecoms workforce technologies in multiple settings.
of over 5,300 (spanning It further gives the region a
wired, wireless and satellite Partners in the project, in competitive edge in global
specialisms) working for over addition to AMRC NW, include Lancashire’s mass data markets such
200 firms. BAE Systems, IBM and private as smart cities and IoT,
network specialist aql. telecoms Esports and online gaming,
These include major operators, Ultra-HD content, and OTT
such as enterprise telco Also contributing to the project is
pedigree was entertainment services.
Daisy Communications, Miralis, a Lancashire-based global a key driver in
together with niche providers logistics and data optimisation In addition, the growing low
such as TNP (a large-scale business whose customers include bringing the carbon energy offer along
private network developer), Europcar, the Department the Fylde coast, combined
and B4RN (supplier of full- for Transport, Disney, Diageo,
ground-breaking with world leading research
fibre broadband to remote Shell, and the Co-Op. 5G Factory of the on energy-optimised cloud
locations). computing at Lancaster
Further 5G innovation is Future testbed to university, are creating
5G & the future being driven by Lancaster emerging opportunities for a
the county
Lancashire’s telecoms pedigree University’s Communication net zero-focused datacentre
was a key driver in bringing the Systems Research Group, cluster in the county.
ground-breaking 5G Factory which is currently focusing
10 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Cyber Security Coding & Computing 11
Cyber Security,
15,000 10,000+
Coding & Computing Lancashire is home
to 15,000 software
professionals
Graduates every
year with computing,
technology and
engineering skills
Lancashire’s world-class expertise in cyber security spans from defending critical
infrastructure and protecting national government networks to preventing industrial
espionage, blocking consumer malware, and safeguarding children.
As home to many highly Centre of Excellence, a strength within the cyber Lancashire is home to Lancashire’s pipeline of
sensitive industrial sectors multi-disciplinary hub and security space and links with numerous other cyber security next generation coders and
- including defence, energy, testbed which is renowned GCHQ. providers and consultancies Between 2014- programmers is also healthy,
aerospace, advanced internationally for its research which work across industrial, underpinned by its world-class
19 Lancashire’s
manufacturing and national into every dimension of cyber Private sector protection commercial and consumer higher education provision.
food production - so security. Such world-class, R&D-led markets. computing sector
Lancashire has developed cyber security provision is For example, Lancaster
world-leading expertise in This includes monitoring and reinforced by private sector SMEs can also explore and grew by over University is home to the
cyber security. anticipating emerging threats, specialists such as Mitigate develop new cyber security 20%, making School of Computing and
identifying new hacking Cyber, whose sector expertise technologies via the Lancashire Communications (ranked #6
And while much of this is tactics, developing faster includes energy, telecoms, Cyber Foundry, a government- it the county’s in the country in the latest
focused on corporate online threat detection methods, fintech and professional services. backed initiative delivered in Guardian University League
protection - especially as and exploring cyber-attack partnership with four North
largest digital Table for computer science and
more industrial sectors adopt motivations and psychology. Mitigate, which is a member West universities, including technology information systems).
cloud-based processes, IIoT and of the Cyber Resilience Centres Lancaster.
private wireless networks - the Lancaster’s expertise is further Trusted Partners network (which market Edge Hill University and UCLan
county is also developing robust reflected in its cyber security works closely with GCHQ) also Coding, Computing & also have well established
cyber security provision which master’s degree, only one of undertakes ethical hacking Creating specialisms in software
supports SMEs and consumers. five programmes in the UK and penetration testing across Coding and software development, software
certified by the National Cyber a wide range of industries. It development capabilities are Another indicator of the engineering, and related
From campus to containment Security Centre (NCSC). further offers training and key technology drivers and county’s growing software technology disciplines such as
The county’s universities have cyber assessments which are Lancashire has a significant market is its rapidly expanding AI, Machine Learning and Data
driven much of this work, with The government’s new certified by the NCSC. propriety IP offer - together software publishing offer. Analytics.
Lancaster University at the National Cyber Force (NCF) with scalable ‘white label’ Between 2014-19, this sector
forefront. - due to be located in the BAE also has deep industrial skills and capacity - across the more than doubled is size. As a result, the county
North West as part of a new and military cyber security county. produces over 1,0000
They have established the ‘cyber corridor’ - will further expertise through its Applied A programming pipeline graduates a year with high
Lancaster Cyber Security consolidate Lancashire’s Intelligence Division. Lancashire has over 2,100 Lancashire’s long-established quality, industry-relevant
businesses working within technology tradition, developed computing, technology and
computer programming, by helping sectors such as engineering expertise.
consultancy, and related advanced manufacturing,
services, which employ over telecoms, energy and aerospace
Lancaster
7,000 people. Between 2014- adopt new digital protocols,
University’s 19, this market grew by over means the county has extensive
20%, making it the county’s expertise in upgrading,
cyber security largest digital technology integrating and securing legacy
master’s degree sector. systems.
is only one of More recent research has Engineers with experience of
five in the UK identified the county has first and second generation
15,000 professionals working programming languages have
certified by the specifically within software been key to this, especially
National Cyber and software development (a when required to develop cost-
majority of which are high- effective retrofit solutions for
Security skilled, high-value roles). companies looking to digitalise
Centre their processes.
12 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com Industy-led Innovation 13
Industry-led
Innovation
Lancashire has a dynamic, technology-led R&D ecosystem which is set to drive
growth and create significant commercial opportunities across a range of sectors.
Lancashire’s mix of high-value The BAE Academy for Skills & Centre. This is a centre of to develop scalable MedTech
industries, a highly skilled Knowledge (ASK) excellence for applied drone opportunities.
workforce, geographical BAE System’s ASK centre - also research, with a particular
connectivity, and a strong based at Samlesbury - is an focus on commercial and Edge Hill University’s Centre
regional economy, means integrated skills hub which enterprise applications. for Data and Complex Systems
it is already enjoying rapid, trains technology apprentices Edge Hill’s CDCS supports
technology-led growth. for both BAE and other Lancaster University’s Health international excellence in
Lancashire employers. Innovation Campus computer and data science with
This, when coupled with its The Lancaster Health Innovation a particular emphasis on data
industry-led R&D provision; ASK’s leading-edge equipment Campus (LHIC) is focused on analytics, data representation
the county’s pipeline of and systems exactly mirror the development of health- and visualisation. Other
industry-relevant graduate the latest technologies used related products and services specialisations include
and young talent; and on BAE’s own production including digital health and interoperable and
major investments in new line such as robot cells, a VR MedTech innovation. interconnected technologies; Lancashire’s next generation of
technology facilities; adds up cave, and industrial additive future internet and cloud
technologists, engineers, and tech-
£100m+ £3m
to an even greater opportunity. manufacturing equipment. A collaborative space - which computing; IoT; disruptive
brings both businesses and technologies; and cyber led SMEs, get real-world experience
The home of high-tech hubs UCLan’s Engineering health providers together - its security.
on live industrial challenges involving
& testbeds Innovation Centre mission is to take a solution, invested in new of funding recently
Lancashire has invested UCLan’s Engineering Innovation place-based approach to Edge Hill is also home to the high-tech collab robotics, mechatronics, AI and secured to develop
significantly in a series of Centre (EIC) in Preston addressing global health Productivity & Innovation Centre hubs across advanced materials commercial drone
strategic, industry-focused, provides Lancashire’s next issues. (PIC), a business-focused hub
Lancashire technologies
and collaborative technology generation of technologists, which helps SMEs increase
hubs, digital testbeds, engineers, and tech-led The LHIC is creating new, efficiency through smarter,
innovation sandpits, and SMEs, with real-world high-value jobs, and is data-led product development
centres of R&D excellence, to experience on live industrial helping Lancashire firms and digital innovation.
unlock commercial potential: challenges involving robotics, develop innovative products
mechatronics, AI and advanced and services which can be Sector-Specific Colleges
The Advanced Manufacturing materials. quickly commercialised. Larger In addition to higher education
Research Centre North West organisations, including provision and facilities aligned
Based at the Samlesbury Recently the EIC secured over national and international to industry, Lancashire also
Enterprise Zone, the AMRC £3m of investment to develop healthcare providers, can has an outstanding further
North West has been created new drone technologies and access LHIC’s extensive education offer which can help
to accelerate the development is the home of the Lancashire network of digital health meet the needs of specialist
and adoption of Industry 4.0 Drone Command and Control experts - and R&D facilities - technology sectors.
technologies and processes
across all manufacturing For example, Myerscough
disciplines. College, based near Preston,
is a leader in AgriTech
Part of the national AMRC
Industry-led R&D provision, research, while the Energy HQ
network, which is HQ’d at the a pipeline of industry-relevant at Blackpool & Fylde College
University of Sheffield, the specialises in vocational
Lancashire facility is a world-
talent, and major investments in engineering training for the
leading research centre for new technology facilities, adds commercial energy sector.
advanced manufacturing R&D.
It’s also home to Lancashire’s up to a great opportunity
5G Factory of the Future.
14 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com 15
Digital Health 14 Tech Hungry 30%+
& MedTech Sectors
NHS Trusts working Over 30% of the
with digital health UK’s low carbon
informatics specialists electricity is
Alcidion generated here
As exemplified by the Lancashire Health Innovation Campus, there is a rapidly growing Lancashire is home to several major industrial sectors which are rapidly adopting new digital processes
digital health and MedTech opportunity in Lancashire which is geared up to meet the to stay competitive. With many involved in defence and critical infrastructure, they constantly require the
demands of a more personalised - and more preventative - approach health and social care. most robust technologies, the most skilled technicians, and the highest levels of cyber security, available.
For example, UCLan’s East Lancashire Hospitals Sundown Solutions is working Aerospace cycle capability. It also has a Another of Lancashire’s
pioneering Neuro- are discharging patients into with the NHS on a web-based Anchored by BAE Systems fast-growing small modular largest sectors, farming,
Rehabilitation Online project the community earlier, using Lancashire firms dashboard that accurately (which produces the Typhoon nuclear reactor sub-sector. Lancashire’s represents another major tech
involves academics working wearable technology and remote are working with tracks bed availability in Eurofighter and sections of
key industrial
opportunity.
with the NHS to pilot an online monitoring techniques, keeping hospitals, while Redmoor the F-35 Lightning II), and In addition, Westinghouse’s
tele-rehabilitation initiative patients safe in their own homes. the NHS on a Health (which has grown from employing over 13,000 people, Springfields site - a designated Myerscough College, a world-
sectors require
to help support survivors of range of digital just two to twenty employees Lancashire is one of the largest Strategic National Asset - class centre of AgriTech
stroke and brain injuries. The Lancashire & South
health solutions
in the last two years) is aerospace clusters in the world. produces over 30% of the UK’s the most robust R&D, already works closely
Cumbria Integrated Care System supporting the NHS with low carbon electricity. with industry to develop new
Digital Health and MedTech has an ambitious digital strategy including AI-enabled cancer treatment BAE is a global leader technologies, tech-led solutions via its Food
also underpin the latest and a strong track record screening applications. in applied aerospace The Springfields site - which & Farming Innovation Centre in
approaches being used by of collaboration, including
telemedicine, technologies. Next generation is home to a new Clean the most skilled Preston.
the Integrated NHS and Care delivering one of the UK’s first AI-enabled Lancashire is also the UK home BAE aircraft (including the Energy Technology Park - also
technicians, and
system across East Lancashire. cloud-based integrated record of Alcidion, an Australian autonomous Taranis and the facilitates the Oxide Fuels In addition the challenges
cancer screening,
and data platforms, opening the health informatics company Tempest fighter) are being Complex, one of the world’s the highest levels of Brexit, climate change,
Blackburn with Darwen door for innovative partnership and predictive which is working with the NHS developed using AI, robotics, most advanced nuclear and the need for greater food
Council are running a working.
hospital bed to develop mobile solutions VR, digital twinning, IIoT, and manufacturing facilities. of cyber security, security, means Lancashire
pioneering Public Health to help detect deteriorating a host of cloud and edge-based is set to become a key
programme of smart sensors in The private sector is also management patients on hospital wards. processes. Manufacturing & Food available player in advanced farming
homes, monitoring movement ramping up its digital health Alcidion already works Production methods and sustainable food
and environmental signs. offer by working closely with with 300 hospitals across Lancashire is also home to Employing over 84,000, production.
the NHS. Australasia and the UK. aerospace giants such as Rolls Lancashire has the UK’s
Royce, Aircelle, Kaman and second largest manufacturing
Magellan, who themselves sector, accounting for 13% of
are rapidly digitalising their its workforce.
production lines. These in turn
support a local supply chain A key sub-sector which is
of over 500 specialist firms - rapidly adopting more Industry
many of which have adopted 4.0 technologies is automotive,
new technologies to meet and the county is home to over
evolving client demands. 100 automotive businesses
employing around 3,500
Energy people.
Lancashire has a significant
concentration of energy assets
including oil, gas, nuclear
and renewables. Its energy
supply chain also has extensive
utilities, transmission and
distribution expertise.
Within nuclear - which alone
employs over 3,500 people
- Lancashire is the only UK
region to have a whole fuel-
16 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com 17
E-commerce & Digital Sector Support
Creative Tech
Lancashire has an extensive ecosystem of industry-focused groups, publicly funded business support
programmes, and informal peer-to-peer networks, all dedicated to growing the county’s tech sector.
Larger organisations can also take advantage of county’s four Enterprise Zone sites. This includes the
Samlesbury site, which is home to the AMRC North West facility, BAE and the 5G Factory of The Future.
Lancashire’s strength in applied industrial technologies and commercially focused
digital R&D is complemented by a strong creative and e-commerce offer. PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT
INDUSTRY NETWORKS BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR SKILLS FUNDING
End-to-End E-commerce Other Lancashire e-commerce significantly in smart logistics
Some of the most successful success stories include and other digital operational Digital Lancashire Boost Lancashire Digital Skills Access to Finance
e-commerce businesses in the Rossendale’s webuybooks, E-commerce processes, while Hippo Leasing
a peer-to-peer membership Lancashire’s Growth Partnership helps Lancashire tech
organisation (with over 700 Hub, offering a wide digital skills training in businesses access angel
UK are based in Lancashire. an online book, CD and DVD (one of the UK’s biggest car
recycler which processes
technology hire firms) is rapidly evolving
participant) which promotes range of business support partnership with Google investment & VC funding
and supports digital programmes, signposting Digital Garage, Lloyds
These include Preston-based 10,000 orders a day, gifts and from Preston’s into an online ‘click and businesses in Lancashire. services, and events Bank, and Enterprise
EKM, whose e-commerce homewares business Studio collect’ business. It also runs a Women in Nation
platform has been deployed by Retail Group, luxury wallpaper EKM powers Tech sub-group. Northern Powerhouse
80,000 online businesses and business Graham and Brown, Investment Fund
one in five Dynamic Digital Design
Digital Plus Digital Boost government-backed
currently supports one in five UK Bathroom Store, Havwoods Lancashire is also home
UK online shops. Flooring, and Pure Luxuries. UK online to hundreds of tech-savvy Lancashire Innovation UCLan-based support
programme to help
supports Lancashire SMEs
to develop more digital
finance for scalable
businesses
creative suppliers including Festival
Online fashion retailer Boohoo Specialist e-commerce shops digital design agencies, digital annual event series SMEs maximise digital skills to drive growth
sharing learning and best technologies
Group (which 2019 had sales software and digital support marketing consultancies, and
practice of technological
of £857m) also has its global services are also a growth area freelance content creators. and broader innovations
distribution centre in Burnley, in the county, with businesses Clicks And Bricks from organisations across DigitME2 Tech Lancaster
employing over 3,500 people, like Brickweb, The Fulfilment We are also seeing increasing Creative clusters can be found Lancashire a UCLan programme which runs tech and electech
and is rapidly adopting more Crowd, and Cloud Commerce convergence between digital in areas such as Burnley (also assists SMEs to grow and bootcamps across the
digitalised, automated and Pro, all developing and and physical retail operations. the location of AMS Neve, an innovate via Industry 4.0 county
smart picking and packing delivering advanced technology For example, national roadside Oscar award-winning company practices
Array Festival
processes. solutions for the booming retailers Euro-Garages (HQ’d specialising in digital music Annual Digital Sector
online shopping sector. in Lancashire) have invested production), and Preston, the festival hosted by digital
hub Fraser House Lancashire Cyber Foundry
base of full-service digital
a programme which helps
design consultancy Motionlab SMEs develop new cyber
whose clients include Saab, security solutions and
Sainsburys, easyJet and Stella other related technical
Artois. Blackpool Tech Hub innovation
3,500
a networking group
dedicated to helping
Lancaster is another creative Blackpool-based digital CREATIVE, DIGITAL Society 1
digital hotspot and home to businesses & TECH WORKSPACES
The Lancashire Forum Preston
staff employed by numerous creative studios
Creative
Boohoo in Burnley including Two Stories, Hotfoot,
a UCLan-based leadership
Fat Media, NuBlue, Factored Our Health Matters and business growth Fraser House The Town Hall
and SQ Digital. a Lancashire business programme tailored to Lancaster Padiham
support network aimed meet development needs of
specifically at the Lancashire’s creative and
healthcare, digital health, digital SMEs
and MedTech sectors Strawberry Fields The Cathedral Quarter
Chorley Blackburn
10,000 Lancashire Tech Talks
regular, informal gathering
of local tech professionals,
The Landmark
Burnley
Old Docks House
Preston
orders a day processed
business leaders and policy
by Rossendale’s makers to share ideas, The Lancashire Digital
webuybooks online discuss issues, InfoLab21
Technology Centre
recycling service and network Lancaster University
Burnley
18 Digital Economy Report 2021 Lancashire County Council www.investinlancashire.com 19
In good company... About this report
This report has been produced Other sources included Mickledore also conducted AMRC NW, Time2 Technology,
“We continue to benefit from having strong links to Lancaster University and we work closely James Walkerdine by Lancashire County Council in company information from over 20 interviews with a Blackpool Council, Fraser
with its world-class academics and high calibre students. Lancaster itself is also a great place Chief Operating Office partnership with the Lancashire Dun & Bradstreet, company wide range of public and House, Force Technology,
to be, both in terms of the quality of life it offers and also the growing tech cluster Relative Insight Enterprise Partnership. websites, as well as information private sector stakeholders, Elueceda, Made Smarter, Boost,
it's becoming home to. from the Lancashire Digital including technology Marketing Lancashire and the
It is based on economic, Skills Partnership’s Lancashire’s and digital businesses, LEP - for contributing some of
“The wider county also offers massive opportunities for collaboration and business demographic, educational, Digital Landscape report (2019). universities, Digital the report’s images.
development across all digital industries, and Lancashire is definitely an exciting occupational and skills Lancashire, representatives
place to be right now if you're an ambitious tech company like ourselves.” research undertaken by Data from the Lancashire from Lancashire’s unitary For more details about the
specialist regional development Enterprise Partnership, and district councils, the research - and Lancashire’s
consultants Mickledore Lancashire County Council, Digital Lancashire LEP’s Digital & digital and technological
between May - August 2021. Lancashire, Boost (Lancashire’s Technology Sector Group, and sectors - please contact
Growth Hub), and other partners Lancashire County Council. Lancashire County Council’s
Lynette Ousby Official UK Datasets used was also drawn upon. Innovation and Digital Lead,
“As a company working within healthcare we find that young people, both at graduate and
Managing Director included the Business Register We would like to thank all Maya Ellis (maya.ellis@
apprentice level, bring fresh and innovative thinking to how we approach complex and
Alcidion UK and Employment Survey In addition, bespoke LinkedIn contributors for giving up their lancashire.gov.uk).
challenging issues. The fact we can tap into Lancashire’s vast pool of bright talent, through it’s
excellent universities and colleges, was therefore a major factor in our decision to come here. (BRES), UK Business Counts, research was undertaken time, sharing their insights,
The Annual Survey of Hours and across a number Lancashire’s and supporting this project. You can also get more
“That, together with the huge amount of R&D opportunities the region offers within both Earnings, the Annual Population employment sectors to get information on Lancashire’s
the private sector and across the NHS, means we are perfectly placed to take advantage Survey, Companies House and a more accurate, real-time We would also like to thank economy and investment
of the latest ideas and technologies within the digital health and MedTech space.” the Higher Education Statistics understanding of the county’s all partners and businesses - opportunities at
Authority (HESA). technical and digital skills including UCLan, Lancaster www.investinlancashire.com
capacity and capability. University, Edge Hill,
“We're seeing many companies based around Morecambe Bay developing and deploying Rich Grant
next generation electech technologies which increasingly underpin key growth sectors Managing Director
such as Future Mobility, MarineTech, CleanTech, Aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Milliamp Technologies Ltd
“Such leading-edge, proprietary and deep tech solutions are also helping these and other
sectors transition to a low carbon economy, creating jobs and attracting investment
along the way, which is bringing benefits to Lancashire's entire tech supply chain.”
“Every successful technology business needs world-class people, world-class education Alison Chesworth
and world class-facilities, and Lancashire already has all of these in place. Head of Talent
EKM.com
“The region’s economy is supported by a wide range of investment programmes and collaborations
between private and public sector partners, and having great universities such as UCLAN, Lancaster
and Edge Hill on our doorstep makes attracting and retaining talent much easier.
“There are only a few places where you can build a really successful business,
and in EKM’s opinion there’s nowhere better than Lancashire.”
“Lancashire offers companies like Mitigate access to world-class cyber security R&D Zain Javed
expertise through its universities - and major commercial opportunities through its Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
For more information
collab spaces - which significantly strengthens our offer. Mitigate Cyber
Invest in Lancashire Visit Lancashire Lancashire Skills Hub
(inward investment opportunities) (tourism, events & leisure information) (skills data and employment resources)
“Throughout the county, there is also an extensive network of similarly ambitious
www.investinlancashire.com www.visitlancashire.com www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk
businesses, together with highly supportive public sector partners, who are as
committed to driving growth through technology-led innovation as we are.”
Boost Lancashire Enterprise Partnership
(Lancashire’s business support service) (strategic economic development)
www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk www.lancashirelep.co.ukCopy: Design: Print:
Bond Consulting Quentin James Design Ultragraph Limited
County Hall | Fishergate | Preston | Lancashire | PR1 8XB
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