Ruth Harrison

Dynamo is an industry led group set up with the core mission to ‘Grow the North East IT Economy’ through collaboration, innovation, skills. We are a voice for the sector regionally and nationally and we generate ‘noise’ to promote the region as a hotspot for IT/digital business. With over 150 members, we are made up of IT organisations, large corporate employers in the region, consultants, technology hubs, education providers, local government and suppliers to the industry. We are an industry-led initiative focusing on growing the tech sector in the North East and we rely on the support of our region’s organisations to help us achieve regional IT growth, promote our region externally, develop skills and education, and support regional research and development. We are passionate to see our region – and our sector – prosper. DYNAMO CLUSTERS Dynamo is trailblazing and supporting development of the region’s fast growing digital sector by developing a number of digital clusters and special interest groups. These champion business growth and innovation and lead regional development specialist areas like digital construction and cross cutting issues such as skills. Effective clusters are well-developed concentrations of related business working together and they have real impact in terms of increasing productivity and operational efficiency, stimulating innovation and increasing commercialisation. We want to ensure our region builds on its incredible expertise and establishes a truly global reputation for digital business. That’s why we’re investing in digital/IT clusters that will deliver greater regional collaboration and innovation between digital, software and technology businesses, the education sector and and public institutions. And because we’re Dynamo, we’re ensuring developments are industry led and meet specific sector needs. Visit www.dynamonortheast.co.uk to find out more! Dynamo North East is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Manchester-China Forum’s over-arching aim is to build strong, long-term, coordinated links between Manchester and China. Established in 2013 by the Ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne MP, the Forum received acclaim as a highly innovative and now successful initiative that works to ensure Manchester is equipped and ready for China’s rapid growth and the opportunity that this presents. We are a public-private partnership with strong links and influence, putting us in a unique position to drive forward the Manchester-China agenda. This approach has strengthened the region’s relationship with China and has resulted in an increase in commercial activity, the launch of direct routes to Beijing and Hong Kong, and President Xi’s visit to the city. Since the inception of the Manchester-China Forum inward investment into Manchester from China has grown enormously, totalling over £3bn. Notable projects include an £800m investment from Beijing Construction and Engineering Group and the £1bn Far East Consortium investment into the Northern Gateway Project. Alongside the growth in direct investment, Manchester has seen a rapid rise in both Chinese tourist and student numbers since the Forum began. As the Manchester-China relationship continues to develop we are continuing to welcome a vast number of high level political visits, reaffirming senior level appetite in China to engage with Manchester. The Forum is directed by a board chaired by David Percival, Managing Director of Deloitte in Shanghai and Rhys Whalley its Executive Director. Other board members include Marketing Manchester, MIDAS, Growth Company, BT, Peel Group, MCFC, and BCEG. The Forum also works with other partners in GM and the Universities to strengthen GM's connectivity with China. How to get involved: Engaging with the Manchester China Forum is free. Email or follow us to find out more: enquiries@manchesterchinaforum.com Twitter: @Manchester_China_Forum WeChat: InvestManchester

We are a global technology consultancy that delivers extraordinary impact by blending design, engineering and AI expertise. For 30 years, our commitment to design-led thinking, engineering excellence and innovation means we prioritize people, build teams with strong technical foundations and embed AI into every step of the process – not just as a tool but as a mindset. It’s this approach that sets us apart, sparks bold ideas and empowers us to drive real, lasting innovation. We’re not preparing for the future – we’re defining it.

Dynamo is an industry led group set up with the core mission to ‘Grow the North East IT Economy’ through collaboration, innovation, skills. We are a voice for the sector regionally and nationally and we generate ‘noise’ to promote the region as a hotspot for IT/digital business. With over 150 members, we are made up of IT organisations, large corporate employers in the region, consultants, technology hubs, education providers, local government and suppliers to the industry. We are an industry-led initiative focusing on growing the tech sector in the North East and we rely on the support of our region’s organisations to help us achieve regional IT growth, promote our region externally, develop skills and education, and support regional research and development. We are passionate to see our region – and our sector – prosper. DYNAMO CLUSTERS Dynamo is trailblazing and supporting development of the region’s fast growing digital sector by developing a number of digital clusters and special interest groups. These champion business growth and innovation and lead regional development specialist areas like digital construction and cross cutting issues such as skills. Effective clusters are well-developed concentrations of related business working together and they have real impact in terms of increasing productivity and operational efficiency, stimulating innovation and increasing commercialisation. We want to ensure our region builds on its incredible expertise and establishes a truly global reputation for digital business. That’s why we’re investing in digital/IT clusters that will deliver greater regional collaboration and innovation between digital, software and technology businesses, the education sector and and public institutions. And because we’re Dynamo, we’re ensuring developments are industry led and meet specific sector needs. Visit www.dynamonortheast.co.uk to find out more! Dynamo North East is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Manchester-China Forum’s over-arching aim is to build strong, long-term, coordinated links between Manchester and China. Established in 2013 by the Ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne MP, the Forum received acclaim as a highly innovative and now successful initiative that works to ensure Manchester is equipped and ready for China’s rapid growth and the opportunity that this presents. We are a public-private partnership with strong links and influence, putting us in a unique position to drive forward the Manchester-China agenda. This approach has strengthened the region’s relationship with China and has resulted in an increase in commercial activity, the launch of direct routes to Beijing and Hong Kong, and President Xi’s visit to the city. Since the inception of the Manchester-China Forum inward investment into Manchester from China has grown enormously, totalling over £3bn. Notable projects include an £800m investment from Beijing Construction and Engineering Group and the £1bn Far East Consortium investment into the Northern Gateway Project. Alongside the growth in direct investment, Manchester has seen a rapid rise in both Chinese tourist and student numbers since the Forum began. As the Manchester-China relationship continues to develop we are continuing to welcome a vast number of high level political visits, reaffirming senior level appetite in China to engage with Manchester. The Forum is directed by a board chaired by David Percival, Managing Director of Deloitte in Shanghai and Rhys Whalley its Executive Director. Other board members include Marketing Manchester, MIDAS, Growth Company, BT, Peel Group, MCFC, and BCEG. The Forum also works with other partners in GM and the Universities to strengthen GM's connectivity with China. How to get involved: Engaging with the Manchester China Forum is free. Email or follow us to find out more: enquiries@manchesterchinaforum.com Twitter: @Manchester_China_Forum WeChat: InvestManchester

One mission - to creating a digital world that works for everyone, an academic, public and private collaboration. One Digital Collective is a regional impact association based in Newcastle upon Tyne, our purpose is to increase digital skills in the North East UK - with an initial focus on coding skills to help address the 67k open roles in the North East UK digital economy. Our aim is to ensure that this course is fully accessible to all - encouraging applicants who seek to retrain, up-skill and transfer from non technology sectors into a digital career. Importantly this course is shaped and endorsed by employers who have contributed to the course content setting expectations of skills and capabilities required of applicants who will complete the training to be employment ready and providing a foundation for their ongoing digital learning. ​

One mission - to creating a digital world that works for everyone, an academic, public and private collaboration. One Digital Collective is a regional impact association based in Newcastle upon Tyne, our purpose is to increase digital skills in the North East UK - with an initial focus on coding skills to help address the 67k open roles in the North East UK digital economy. Our aim is to ensure that this course is fully accessible to all - encouraging applicants who seek to retrain, up-skill and transfer from non technology sectors into a digital career. Importantly this course is shaped and endorsed by employers who have contributed to the course content setting expectations of skills and capabilities required of applicants who will complete the training to be employment ready and providing a foundation for their ongoing digital learning. ​