Lancashire & Cumbria ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Clusters are groups of local businesses who meet together regularly and engage in a free and open exchange of knowledge, information and business opportunities. Clusters are private sector led and public sector supported.
Benefiting the Regional Economy
Dowload a PDF Factsheet about the Lancashire & Cumbria ICT Clusters
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Bring together the expertise and creativity of ICT businesses from across Lancashire and Cumbria and provide a unique place where they can come together to learn, share and collaborate. | |
Enable customers to source their ICT needs locally. |
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Strengthen the ICT sector of the regional economy. | |
Help to promote Lancashire & Cumbria as a centre of excellence for ICT. |
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Support the development of member businesses enabling them to better exploit existing and potential high value markets. | |
Maximise opportunities from globalisation and emerging markets by raising awareness about global opportunities/risks. |
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Provide a free and open exchange of knowledge and information to maximise business opportunities. | |
Enable the Lancashire digital sector to increase the uptake of ICT in other sectors of the economy, one of the most effective ways of increasing GVA across all sectors. |
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Support ICT usage and digital content development. |
Why Clusters?
The description "cluster" rather than "sector" is used in recognition that businesses use and share local resources with other types of businesses and are not just grouped around a common economic activity.
It is a more inclusive approach, not only in identifying the types of issues which can confront the ICT cluster but takes into account the role of businesses important to the cluster's economic well being which a sectoral approach to economic regeneration would leave out. For example, a lawyer specialising in ICT Intellectual Property Rights would be included.
In addition, there is a cultural difference between the two definitions. Clusters can be perceived as a group of businesses willing to collaborate, whereas a sector is usually perceived as a group of competing businesses. Operating in a global marketplace, competition is likely to come from an overseas competitor than a company nearby.
Forming the Clusters
The intention was to use the Lancaster Cluster as a model to develop best practice, including an infrastructure that could be rolled out to support other existing and potential clusters in Lancashire and become a tool to source ICT Suppliers. Five addition clusters have been formed by Lancaster University’s InfoLab21 and partners using this model.
Steering groups have been formed to take care of issues such as meeting format, marketing, populating the website etc. This group consists of members of the private sector and a representative from InfoLab21, Business Link, local authorities and the Lancashire Economic Partnership.
Our Clusters
Four Cluster Groups in the region are now set up and running and meet regularly. The current groups are: Lancaster, Preston, Blackpool & Fylde, and Pennine Lancashire.
If you are interested in applying for any of the Steering Groups or would like to attend the Clusters please contact your local cluster coordinator.
Our Supporters
Lancashire & Cumbria ICT Clusters are supported by Business Link North West, local Councils, local Chambers of Commerce and the Lancashire Economic Partnership. See Cluster Supporters section for more information.
Benefiting the Regional Economy
ICT supports almost all sectors of the economy, thus the creation of successful cluster groups, provided with a skilled workforce and a unique and supportive collaborative environment has a great impact on the regional economy as a whole. Individual companies contribute to the clustering effect by their relationship with suppliers and customers and by using their skills in networking and building alliances with other companies.
Our Support
Cluster groups provide their members with support and information on various topics, featuring exciting and interesting presentations from respected specialists in leading-edge digital developments. These vary from cluster to cluster and meeting to meeting. Agendas for meeting are publicised to the cluster membership before each meeting.
These are some of the issues that have been discussed at cluster meetings:
Technology
Skills & Staffing
Support
Business Opportunities
Business Growth
