In the heart of the North West, Manchester boasts a thriving tech scene, with significant potential for growth. The opportunities the city offers, in terms of heritage, talent, and innovation make it an attractive location for digital tech organisations to set up base – as over 10,000 have now done.
In fact, we at TalkTalk Business did the same in 2019, when we relocated from London to establish our head office in the Greater Manchester area. Five years on, and we’re truly proud to be Manchester- based business and call the region our home, but we recognise that the area isn’t immune to the wider challenges of industry.
Keeping up with the rapid development of innovative technologies such as AI remains hot on the agenda for many organisations, as well as ensuring they have the talent and skills to best utilise it. And, with 395 ransomware attacks against businesses taking place in July 2024 alone, mitigating the cyber-risks of this technology is becoming paramount.
To effectively develop its growing tech scene into a booming tech ecosystem, businesses across the industry need to be savvy about utilising the unique strengths and opportunities that Manchester has to offer.
Embracing modern technology
Manchester has a rich history of innovation, defined by numerous brilliant minds and discoveries, from the first stored program computer in 1948 and a breakthrough production of the world’s purest silicon in 2024. But as cutting-edge technologies like AI develop, businesses in the region need to be prepared to adapt and embrace these steps forward to avoid getting left behind.
One exciting initiative I was pleased to learn about is The Manchester Prize, which is a perfect example of how the city is nurturing its tech ecosystem. With 10 innovative start-ups being awarded £100,000 in investment each – alongside non-financial support – for cutting-edge AI solutions for public good, there is considerable incentive for businesses to embrace the potential of automated technologies. And in early 2025, another £1 million prize will be awarded to the winner.
These investments provide a strong motivating force, and tangible support, for businesses looking to accelerate their AI solutions and develop breakthrough ideas for overcoming the key challenges facing our world today.
Filling the tech skills gap
The tech industry’s fast pace requires talent to move at the same speed. According to the World Economic Forum, AI alone is expected to create 97 million new jobs by 2025 – far more than the 85 million that it is set to replace. As more organisations turn to AI for operational and efficiency gains, it creates a rapidly increasing demand for skills such as data analytics, AI, and machine learning specialists.
As a result, recruiters are facing the significant challenge of meeting this demand, and providing companies with the highly skilled, specialist talent needed to make the most of digital transformation initiatives.
Manchester has a unique solution to this problem, as it boasts one of the largest student populations in Europe. With the 20 universities that sit within a one-hour drive of Greater Manchester, there are over 400,000 students, reflecting some of the best up-and-coming minds in the tech industry – from which companies can take their pick. Much of our talent pool at TalkTalk Business comes from Manchester and its surrounding areas, and encouraging and supporting these amazing people is a priority for us.
Being a part of Manchester’s tech ecosystem means we have a unique opportunity to nurture the next generation of professionals and solidify the region as a thriving hub of innovation. For me, this means employing a diverse and inclusive workforce of talent and continuing to invest in their development.
Whether that’s through engaging with schemes like Employ Autism – which provides essential work experience opportunities for the neurodivergent community – or providing bespoke training programs for all employees to get to grips with innovative technologies, creating a culture of inclusive learning and upskilling remains essential. It’s the best way to foster a strong future for the North and its tech scene.
Managing the growing threat landscape
Whilst the myriad of new technology is unlocking new possibilities for digitally-savvy businesses, it doesn’t come without a degree of risk. The recent CrowdStrike IT outage provided a clear example of this. When a faulty software update rendered millions of devices ineffective, the impact was felt worldwide and across industries including aviation, banking, and healthcare. Though the outage was not a result of a cyberattack, the incident highlighted our global dependence on technology and its smooth functioning, as well as the potential consequences should a more serious incident take place in the future.
As companies look to digital solutions for storing and processing data, they need to be confident that this data remains safe, secure, and accessible. Keeping it free from the hands of cybercriminals is a fundamental part of this.
The North West has positioned itself at the forefront of the fight against cyberthreats, with several global cybersecurity companies based in the region. With the number of cyberattacks having more than doubled since the pandemic, tackling cybersecurity challenges head-on places Manchester at the heart of this battle – putting us in a strong position to forge a resilient future.
The National Cyber Force is opening its new base in Salmesbury next year, creating new jobs for the region in technology and digital supply chain. Further strengthening the new North West Cyber Corridor, the NCF will collaborate with local institutions to form the Lancashire Cyber Partnership. This will see Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, University of Central Lancashire, Lancaster University, and BAE Systems work with the NCF to shape and support the local tech ecosystem – a crucial step for fostering lasting growth and innovation.
Driving future growth
Manchester has already firmly established its place as an epicentre for tech development and innovation. Now, it’s time to look at how this powerful hub of thinking can help the Northern tech ecosystem flourish and become one of the most sought-after, inclusive locations for digital skills, talent, and discovery on the world stage.
With the constant development of innovative technologies, chances for collaboration, and the possibility to nurture a new, diverse generation of pioneering tech leaders, there are numerous reasons why big tech companies might make Manchester their home.
In doing so, they can seize the opportunities that the city affords them and help to boost the tech landscape into an inclusive and formidable ecosystem, which strengthens the UK’s place on the world map of forward thinkers.