Member Article

Creative and digital investment tempted to Newcastle

NewcastleGateshead’s buzzing creative and digital sector was the focus of an international audience this week, welcoming a 20-strong delegation of inward investment specialists from global tech hotspots including, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and New York.

The Creative and Digital Briefing tour - jointly organised by NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s inward investment team and UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) – took place on Monday February 3 to help spread the message that NewcastleGateshead is the place to be for international companies looking for a UK base.

The visit was secured after bidding against other UK cities to host the group.

Innovators and talented leaders from NewcastleGateshead’s tech community supported the tour and played a key role in demonstrating the area’s key strengths in the sector; everything from AAA games and graphic art to coding and cloud computing as well as film, video and smart mobile applications.

Catherine Walker, inward investment director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “The creative and digital sector is a key area where we know there is huge scope to secure investment. Almost 8,000 people are employed here by 1,775 creative and digital businesses, which are worth £866m to our local economy. \

“We have a thriving tech community which is a mix of successful start-ups and global companies that work with some of the biggest international names around.

“Our universities and colleges are world leaders in research and development, and are widely recognised as providers of the UK’s strongest graduates in computer science and other creative and digital disciplines.

“We have an attractive offer for potential investors and events like these are vital to helping us raise awareness of the opportunities available for businesses to grow and prosper here.”

The visit also showcased strategic employment sites such as Northern Design Centre, Science Central, Hoults Yard and the Toffee Factory, as well as providing the opportunity to experience first-hand the innovative work that happens here through demos from the Ignite100 Accelerator Programme teams and the impressive ZeroLight Virtual Showroom, developed by Gateshead-based Eutechnyx.

Darren Jobling, CEO at Eutechnyx, said: “North East England has the biggest cluster of games companies outside of London and the South East. Thanks to the low operating costs and enviable skills base it is known throughout the world for excellence in games development.

“We’re achieving great things as a company and we’re proud to be able to share that today while helping to reinforce the region’s reputation as a home of innovation.

Cindy Fabian, vice consul for Creative and Media at UKTI San Francisco, added: “The event has been very interesting. I’m particularly impressed with the vibrancy and community feel of the gaming sector here – they’re passionate people who have shown a strong affinity with the area and a real commitment to staying here and growing their businesses.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by NewcastleGateshead Initiative .