The North East’s growing technology sector will this week be the subject of an industry-leading podcast and short social media documentary, as the region continues to attract national interest in its capacity for innovation.
The team behind Apple’s chart-topping Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future pod and YouTube channel visited the region last month to uncover the assets, companies and people making the North East tech sector tick.
The podcast, which explores new-age jobs and the economy with Britain’s leading entrepreneurs and decision-makers, has featured a number of high-profile guests including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, CEO of Starling Bank Anne Boden and ex-Google for Startups chief Marta Krupinska.
The show is hosted by Jimmy McLoughlin OBE, a former special advisor to the Prime Minister on business, technology and entrepreneurship.
McLoughlin and his production team spent two intensive days in the North East last month, hosted by tech sector support organisation Sunderland Software City, where they met leading companies like ReciteMe, Wordnerds and XR Therapeutics, across influential tech locations like Newcastle Helix, Sunderland Software Centre and Proto: The Emerging Technology Centre.
The region’s tech sector has been hailed in recent years as an economic area of high potential and success, employing 27,000 people and adding over £2bn in GVA to the North East economy.
“North East England has a story to tell when it comes to technology. It’s a story of growth and ambition, which puts our people at the forefront,” said Jamie Hardesty, head of communications and stakeholder engagement, Sunderland Software City.
“We’ve often heard we need to ‘shout louder’ in this part of the world but it’s important we’re strategically channelling that ‘shouting’ in the right directions and places. With our regional partners we’re working hard to direct our story into the right avenues, via smart mediums.
“Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future not only has a strong reputation in key government circles but it’s ranked in the top 0.5% of global podcasts and has charted number one in Apple’s career podcasts, too. We’re delighted the team worked so diligently with us to dip into the people, companies and places of the North East striving for tech success.”
McLoughlin added: “When Sunderland Software City first approached us about doing this project we were a bit unsure. Was there enough there? But obviously coming to the region has made a massive difference, really seeing what is going on. We had enough for two or three episodes!
“There’s 27,000 people working in the technology sector here and massive advantages to the economy being produced. There are thousands of unbelievable business stories showcasing the power of the North East economy that the Government doesn’t know about and it’s time for that to change.”
The episode on North East Tech is now available to listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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