A new website www.lcictclusters.org has been created by Lancaster University’s InfoLab21 and Business Link Northwest to provide a unique central resource for the region’s technology led businesses.
Lancashire & Cumbria ICT Clusters are groups of local ICT 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. The new site provides an overview of all six regional ICT cluster groups and provides specific information for current and prospective members. New members can use the site to find out what cluster groups are and how they can benefit their business. They can find out about their nearest cluster group, who to contact, how to join & when the next cluster meetings are. The site also includes related news and business events. Existing members can find out about ongoing cluster meetings, cluster news and business events in their area.
The clusters were formed by Lancaster University’s InfoLab21 and partners, including Business Link, local authorities and the Lancashire Economic Partnership. Their aim is to 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. Six Cluster Groups in the region are now set up and running and meet regularly. The current groups are: Lancaster, Preston, West Lancashire Blackpool & Fylde, East Lancashire and Kendal.
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 and have included Technology- eg being kept up to date with and Exploiting Technology, Skills & Staffing Issues, Business support, Business Opportunities and Business Growth.
There are many benefits of joining a cluster. Clusters provide a vital and dynamic engine for growth and productivity. Firms engaged in clustering typically show comparative advantage in three key areas- Business productivity, innovation and knowledge transfer and market awareness:
It costs nothing to join, companies can join via the site and there is no limitation on size of company. Companies can become as involved as they wish and attend as many of the meetings, which are usually bimonthly, as they feel appropriate.
As ICT supports almost all sectors of the economy, 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.
Lancashire Economic Partnership’s Director of Strategy & Business Development, Nick Briggs, who chairs the ICT Clusters Steering Group said,
"The Partnership is delighted to have been involved with the creation of the new clusters website and fully supports its aims.
"Research carried out in the North West indicates that maximising the implementation of ICT can make a significant contribution to increasing GVA in all economic sectors thus we need to encourage more companies to take up and exploit the available ICT. The work of the Lancashire and Cumbria ICT Clusters is invaluable in meeting this objective."
Lancashire & Cumbria ICT Clusters are supported by Business Link North West, local Councils, local Chambers of Commerce and the Lancashire Economic Partnership.
