Entrepreneurs team up to boost Lancashire’s digital sector

A new not-for-profit community interest company has been established to boost Lancashire’s burgeoning digital sector.

Founded by six owners of digital firms in the county, Digital Lancashire is aiming to help local individuals and companies by offering support with skills, funding, investment, infrastructure and business development.

Digital Lancashire will also seek to create an informative and friendly community organisation that promotes experience and knowledge sharing through events, mentoring services and support groups.

As part of this, the organisation will also work with Lancashire’s schools, colleges and universities to strengthen a wider strategy for the development of digital skills and literacy, helping the area to nurture and retain digital talent.

Stewart Townsend, who has taken on the role of Digital Lancashire’s managing director, said: “Having worked in the digital sector for over 15 years, I know how much businesses can benefit from collaboration and networking with like-minded companies to find and deliver work and with educational establishments to help discover and develop talent.

“Collectively we know how much more can be done to benefit each business, the sector as a whole and our local communities and the county.”

The director of Lancaster-based Miralis Data, Michael Gibson, is the chair of Digital Lancashire.

He commented: “The digital economy in Lancashire is booming with fantastic businesses including, amongst others, digital agencies, e-commerce companies, online software, big data and artificial intelligence.

“With the digital sector growing three times faster than the rest of the economy and pay 36% higher on average it is vital for Lancashire’s economy that we do everything possible to boost the digital sector.”

The organisation has confirmed that the first 100 eligible companies and individuals who sign up will be able to become Founder Members for free.