Hands Across The Pennines

At a recent dinner in Manchester for technology leaders, one thing came through loud and clear - every business is facing similar challenges, and collaboration is the best way to address them.

It’s time for Yorkshire and Lancashire, particularly Leeds and Manchester, to work together. The 40-odd miles that separate the two cities is similar to the 36 miles from the East to West of London. With better connectivity and a shared vision, a Northern supercity would create a world-leading technology hub to attract the talent and investment that will drive the sector forward.

Improved rail connectivity would stimulate economic growth by facilitating easier movement of goods, services, and people between the two cities

Business owners understand the benefits of collaboration across issues ranging from training and skills to growth, thanks to the gravity that a sizeable economic cluster generates. While the debate inevitably focused on transport and the need for greater capacity and speed for rail connections between the two cities, there are some easier wins to gain through better planning and shared goals.

Improved rail connectivity would stimulate economic growth by facilitating easier movement of goods, services, and people between the two cities. However, better knowledge sharing through closer ties between Leeds and Manchester would drive greater collaboration between businesses, universities, and research institutions in both cities. It can foster innovation, knowledge sharing, and the development of new technologies that will drive the economy forward.

Clusters also enhance global competitiveness by enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange, further attracting investment and fostering growth.

Leeds is a leading centre for cutting-edge, imaginative, and revolutionary digital solutions. With a thriving ecosystem of digital and internet companies, the city region supports the UK economy with £6.6 billion in revenue and employs about 102,000 people.

While tech companies based in Manchester secured a record £532 million in investment in 2022. This is higher than several major European cities, such as Rome, Brussels, Warsaw, and Lisbon, and represents a 50% growth over 2021. According to the most recent DCMS data, Manchester is the largest tech hub outside of London and the South East and the tech hub with the greatest rate of growth in the North of England.

Both cities are already benefiting from thriving technology sectors that are advantageous to the wider economy. Together, they can grow the collective pie to the benefit of the entire region.

A technology supercluster creates a concentration of interconnected businesses with shared goals. It fosters innovation by facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among firms and research institutions.

Isn’t it time we joined hands across the Pennines?

Efficient supply chains develop within clusters to reduce costs and improve coordination. Access to specialised resources such as infrastructure and support services further benefits firms. Clusters also enhance global competitiveness by enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange, further attracting investment and fostering growth.

Job creation is stimulated as talent and investment are attracted to the cluster, leading to greater employment opportunities. It’s a virtuous circle that has the potential to accelerate the sector beyond what is currently possible.

Ultimately, economic clusters drive innovation, productivity, and economic growth by leveraging the benefits of proximity and collaboration within a concentrated geographical area. So, isn’t it time we joined hands across the Pennines?

Sam Hameed

Sam Hameed is co-founder and managing director of SPG Resourcing, a technology talent advisory business with offices in both Leeds and Newcastle. It provides interim and permanent technology resources to a wide range of businesses.