IT and Media in North England
Click here to learn more about North England's Creative and New Media environment with our digital brochure.
Growth of the technology community in North England is nearly twice that of the rest of the UK. That's because North England has become the region of choice for expansion of IT and media companies, including Google, Sony, Yahoo and Activision.
Companies in the enterprise software field choose the North of England region because of the presence of a large potential customer base of major users in the Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Advanced Engineering, Financial Service, Energy & Environment industries.
In addition, the enormous growth of the creative sector has been staggering – increasing at twice the rate of the wider UK economy. The region has been described by BBC North as “pioneering and dynamic” as it positions itself as a world leader. North England aims to become the No. 1 New Media destination in Europe and Top 3 in the world by 2020.
Our vibrant creative community is sparked by a student community of 330,000 (one of the largest in the UK) and a workforce larger than South East England and Scotland combined. Imaginative talent is attracted to our quality of life [link People and Skills: Quality of Life] and by the business support designed to make creativity profitable.
Our universities excel in creating skilled IT graduates. The University of Teesside produces twice the computing graduates than the UK average. The University of Sunderland has the largest IT teaching lab in the UK and supplies more computer graduates to Microsoft's UK division than any other British university.
One of the reasons that creative companies moving into the region are finding success is due to North England's "soft landings" locations. We've established these locations throughout the region to reduce the risk involved when IT companies are setting up their first overseas operation. These locations serve as gateways to help expanding IT companies reach the larger UK and European markets with reduced costs, access to the right people, access to financing and a framework for steady growth. Areas such as Sunderland, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle are able to provide dedicated support at introductory reduced rates.
Quick, Affordable Expansion
The North of England Inward Investment Agency provides the resources and connections for your IT or media company to hit the ground running. Contact us for a free, confidential Business Expansion Assessment.
IT & Media Industry News
Daresbury-based high-tech IT company wins prestigious award - 06/25/10
Tech-X, the software engineering firm based at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) has won a prestigious award at the recent Regional Business Awards event that took place in L...Read More
Peel Media appoints Head of Studios for MediaCityUK - 03/25/10
Peel Media announced today that Andy Waters is to join the MediaCityUK senior management team as Head of Studios.
Andy is one of a team of Resource Managers currently responsible for delivering busin...Read More
Sharp Project receives £6.3m of funding - 03/17/10
Michael Hunt
The North West Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund have invested £6.3m into The Sharp Project, a digital media hub in east Manchester.
The former Sharp E...Read More
“Geeks Going Global” Forges Collaboration Between Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs and the North of England - 01/12/10
Winners of Pitch Challenge Taking Advantage of Business Opportunities in UK’s Digital Hot-Spot
Palo Alto, CA—Five Silicon Valley start-up companies recently toured and met with high level...Read More
Puppets from Award Winning North England Firm Find Home at Bergdorf Goodman - 12/17/09
Mackinnon & Saunders’ Fantastic Mr. Fox Puppets on Display in New York City
Atlanta, GA, — Original puppets and sets appearing in the Oscar-nominated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, cr...Read More
There’s no doubt in my mind that Manchester is the most important media center outside of London, and increasingly that means digital. From our point of view, it was the perfect position in which to open an office. Manchester has a fantastic infrastructure and transport system. 
