News / Surveys
Local digital sector UK’s most productive
The 2016 Tech Nation report has found Bristol & Bath is the UK’s most productive digital tech cluster, a high-end, multi-industry environment contributing to high productivity levels. Workers here generate an average of £296,340 sales each, compared to £205,390 in second place London.
Rick Chapman, high tech sector specialist at inward investment agency Invest Bristol & Bath, said: “The Tech Nation 2016 report paints a compelling picture about the strength of the UK’s digital tech economy with the Bristol & Bath region right at the heart of its success. With productivity in the digital tech economy outperforming other parts of the economy and our region coming out as the most productive, it’s evident that companies in Bristol & Bath are playing a leading role in driving the success of this sector in the UK.
“One of the key reasons for this is that the technologies created in Bristol & Bath have a multitude of applications that span a wide range of industries. Our region’s companies are therefore having a ripple effect that is having a dramatic impact on both digital and non-digital industries. With particular strengths in cloud infrastructure, data management, robotics, gaming and virtual reality, this report gives weight to our growing reputation as a real powerhouse of the regional and national economy.”
“These are high value jobs that are making a major contribution to the region’s prosperity,” added Barbara Davies, Chief Executive, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. “As the cluster continues to grow, it is attracting major national and international players who are offering new opportunities to the people that live here as well as supporting the expansion of home-grown companies.”
As well as recognising high productivity levels, the report highlights weak digital infrastructure, limited access to funding and access to talent as ongoing challenges, although Davies argues: “We are continuing to build on this with new initiatives including the Bristol is Open expansion of the open programmable city region project; extending Superfast Broadband across the region; transport investment in a £200million 50km rapid MetroBus network, and a £100 million rail improvement programme that links with the electrification of the main rail line to London.”
Image – Shutterstock
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