Digital and new media

Yorkshire & Humber has the fastest-growing digital sector in the UK outside of London, and is recognised as a leading centre of excellence in the digital and new media industries.

Our digital and new media strategic sector champion

Yorkshire Forward directly employs a ‘strategic sector champion’ for digital and new media—an experienced industrialist who identifies opportunities for innovation through collaboration, and brokers relationships between businesses and the science base. Email Bill Boffin (bill.boffin@yorkshire-forward.com) or call 07875999135.

What’s covered by ‘digital and new media’?

The broad description includes web design and creative, film, TV, games, music, video, electronics, animation, e-learning, enterprise software, and IT solutions and services.

Which businesses are already here?

Global companies such as O2, Tunstall Telecom, BBC, ITV, Pace Micro Technology and Filtronic have bases in Yorkshire, along with over 10% of the UK’s game development talent—working on big contracts with companies like Microsoft, THQ, Sony and Sega. Two of the largest applied e-learning services in the world are based here: UFI and Learn Direct.

The region’s infrastructure

Yorkshire & Humber has 100% broadband enablement, and is leading the UK in the deployment of next-generation access (NGA) of fibre broadband (at speeds of up to 24Mbs). The region is also part of a new and developing secure data network called Northern Net, extending across the North of England and providing a minimum of 100Mbs fibre connectivity for the delivery of large and sensitive data files securely from point to point.

The Digital Britain Report – Regional Debate

The Digital Britain Report aims to drive the upgrading of our digital networks, significantly enhance our national competitiveness, connect with the interests of the rising digital generation and improve access, affordability and inclusion for all. Yorkshire Forward brought together companies operating in the Digital and New Media sector from the region to debate the findings of the interim Digital Britain report, which was released in January 2009.

Presentations from the Digital Britain Debate, Thursday 23rd April 2009 at The Met Hotel, Leeds

If you would like any further information about Digital Britain, please email Stuart McFarlane – stuart.mcfarlane@yorkshire-forward.com or call 0113 394 9600
 

Our cross-cutting approaches

Our strategic intervention for growth and development of the digital and new media sector has two cross-cutting approaches:

  • Digital content: This involves supporting the development of new ideas and content which are designed and created for use across a variety of electronic platforms (film, TV, games, music, animation, e-learning, enterprise software, IT solutions and services).
  • Enabling technologies: This involves ‘electronic platforms’—supporting the development of new technologies for the publication of digital content and new technology adoption, and supporting the adoption of new technologies as an integral part of the business process.

Skills

Digital 20/20 is Yorkshire and Humber’s initiative to ensure that the people and organisations in our region can get the most out of living, learning, working and doing business in the digital world. It evolved from Digital 2010, the original Digital and ICT Skills Action Plan for the region, which was developed to provide a  framework for the successful, vigorous development of digital and ICT skills across the region. For more information, visit the Digital 20/20 website.

Regional support from Digital Yorkshire

For support on finding business accommodation (including incubation centres), inward investment, financing, skills and much more, visit the Digital Yorkshire website.
 

Industry networks

We have networks to support organisations in the following sectors:

Please contact the networks directly to find out how to get involved.

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