Digital skills and capabilities will be essential in the new normal enabling the UK’s economic recovery. However, digital skills are broad, wide ranging and dispersed. COVID-19 gives an opportunity to reflect and change outmoded structures and ensure the workforce has the chance to have the right skills at the right time through a robust data-driven approach.

Something that we’re touching on is also the impact of having a diverse group with different backgrounds and different experiences. Having a diverse group leads to the most fruitful economy, collaborations and creativity. It brings new ideas to the table. And it’s something that I think we really need to be striving towards as we respond to this crisis.

Georgina Phillipson, Enterprise Support Coordinator, Oxford Brookes University

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In the UKTCG’s third roundtable event, a panel of experts explore how digital skills and capabilities will be essential in the new normal enabling the UK’s economic recovery.

Panel speakers

1. Ben Shorrock, MD TechSPARK, Director UK Tech Cluster Group
2. Katie Gallagher, Managing Director, Manchester Digital, UKTCG Steering Board
3. Johnathan Williamson, Director, TechnologyOne
4. Andy Salmon, PVC, Bath Spa University
5. Diane Milne, Senior Funding Officer, Dundee City Council
6. Alastair Irons, Dean of Computing, University of Sunderland
7. Ben Atha, CEO, The Developer Academy
8. Michelle Gordon, Corporate Manager, Economy & Business, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils
9. Mick Westman, Founder at Digital Innovators Ltd & Vice President at the Solihull Chamber of Commerce
10. Georgina Phillipson, Enterprise Support Coordinator, Oxford Brookes University
11. Rob Passmore, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Connecting start ups and large organisations is nothing new – for many years it has been recognised as something that can be a great way to drive diverse new ideas, projects and ways of thinking. But what are the key facets that make for successful collaboration?

The value of collaboration

Connecting start ups and large organisations is nothing new – for many years it has been recognised as something that can be a great way to drive diverse new ideas, projects and ways of thinking. But what are the key facets that make for successful collaboration?

One size doesn’t fit all

Building successful relationships with organisations is  not something that can be established through the same approach every time. Different organisations and start ups have varied needs, cultures and ways of working, which means successful collaboration requires a level of tailoring to achieve the best results.

Each larger organisation has its own culture, needs, and ways of doing things. And, of course, the SME community, is not a generic community. So, inevitably, you have to bespoke relationships if you want to see something that works.

Nick Sturge, MBE, Adviser – Cyber Central, Cheltenham Borough Council

Watch the roundtable discussion

In the UKTCG’s second roundtable event, speakers with experience in everything from corporate transformation, to world- class accelerators and bleeding-edge start ups discuss practical ways to build systems that allow companies to work together and how COVID-19 has changed their approach.

Panel speakers

1. Ben Shorrock, Managing Director TechSPARK, UKTCG Steering Board
2. Mark John, Founder, TramShed Tech, UKTCG Steering Board
3. Nick Gibson, Industry Director – Education, TechnologyOne
4. David Henderson, Head of Transformation, Hargreaves Lansdown
5. Nick Sturge, Adviser – Cyber Central, Cheltenham Borough Council
6. Penny Day, Innovation Specialist, Sunderland Software City
7. Matt Cooling, Head of Innovation, Manchester Science Park

Testbeds have traditionally been important in driving innovation and allow for risk mitigation in developing new technologies and products. They also serve as a useful connector between corporate, public sector, university and innovative SME organisations.

However, there have been challenges with testbeds in the past. They can suffer from a lack of clear objectives, or unstable funding which can result in ‘Orphaned’ testbeds. To add value they are going to have to develop and adapt to support the tech and digital sector in facing the unique challenges presented by Brexit and COVID-19.

We want to see new, federated testbeds connected through industry verticals within a common infrastructure.

Paul Wilson, Founder, UK5G

Watch the roundtable discussion

In the UKTCG’s first roundtable event, a panel of experts explore how giving tech businesses more opportunities to test, trial and showcase their ideas will provide a gateway to help the public and higher education sector innovate quicker.

Panel speakers

1. Ben Shorrock, MD TechSPARK, Director UK Tech Cluster Group
2. David Dunn, CEO Sunderland Software City, Chair UK Tech Cluster Group
3. Vish Mathur, Global Head of Engagement, Telecoms Infra Project
4. Nick Sturge MBE, Adviser to Cyber Central, Cheltenham Borough Council
5. Paul Willson, Co- Founder, UK5G
6. Martin Reid, CEO, Engine Shed
7. Anwen Robinson, TechnologyOne