AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan MP, visited the North East of England on Thursday as part of a wider programme of regional engagements with members of the UK Tech Cluster Group. The tour included Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sheffield and Belfast. As a founding member of the UK Tech Cluster Group, Sunderland Software City organised and facilitated the North East leg of the Minister’s visit.

During his time in Newcastle, the Minister met with innovators, researchers and business leaders from across the region’s growing AI and technology ecosystem. Discussions focused on amplifying regional success stories, strengthening the AI talent pipeline, and supporting local businesses to adopt and deploy AI technologies to boost productivity and growth.

As part of the visit, the Minister also heard about the National Innovation Centre for Data’s data and AI traineeship programme, which is equipping early-career professionals with industry-ready skills and supporting the growth of the region’s AI workforce.

The tour comes at a pivotal moment following this summer’s announcement from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of £1 million in funding for the Regional Tech Booster programme. Delivered by the UK Tech Cluster Group, the programme aims to accelerate the growth of tech clusters and early-stage digital startups through tailored entrepreneur support, improved access to finance and targeted skills development.

The visit also coincides with the Government’s recent designation of the North East as an AI Growth Zone, a landmark commitment to strengthening the region’s AI capabilities. The initiative is expected to create 5,000 new high-skilled jobs and attract up to £30 billion in private investment, signalling a transformative opportunity for the regional economy.

Minister Narayan, Minister for AI and Digital Government, said:  

“Home to an AI Growth Zone, the North East exemplifies our mission to ensure the benefits of technology and AI are felt in every corner of the UK - backing innovation, building skills, and delivering opportunities for local people.”

“It was great to meet the people behind this success, from inspiring local entrepreneurs to researchers and businesses leading the way in the sector.”

‍

Chaired by David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City, the roundtable hosted at scaling tech company,  Neptune North, brought together regional representatives from industry, academia and the startup community to share their perspectives on the recent budget and how the North East can be a powerhouse of UK tech.

David Dunn, said:  

“I am delighted that the Minister sees the impact that tech ecosystems in regions and nations can have on the growth of the UK as a whole.  He has a clear passion to see tech thrive across the country from start-ups to scale-ups”

‍

Phil Witcherley, Director for Economy, Innovation and Culture at the North East Combined Authority, said:  

“The North East is the country’s first AI Growth Zone and we are determined the benefits that can bring are felt at every level in our region.”

“We can see huge potential from working with businesses on digital adoption and upskilling to provide local people with new career opportunities in this fast-growing sector.”

‍

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much to those that joined us for the roundtable discussions, chaired by David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City. In attendance was Danny Dickinson, Head of Policy with the UK Tech Cluster Group; Barry Hodgeson, Director of Strategy National Innovation Centre for Data at Newcastle University; Dr Kimberley Hardcastle, Co-lead Northumbria Centre for Responsible AI at Northumbria University; Margherita Pasquariello, Founder of Tech Startup 8Levate Ltd; Colin Kelly, Managing Director of MAADigital, Taya Reynolds, Chief Technology Officer at Hays Travel; and Colin Bain, Pro-VC Research at Durham University. Special thank you to James Beard, CEO of Neptune North for hosting us in their scenic central office space.

‍

About the UK Tech Cluster Group

The UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG) is a collaborative network of regional tech organisations dedicated to driving innovation, supporting local ecosystems, and fostering growth across the UK. We champion the unique strengths of each region, ensuring that the voices of tech communities are heard on the national stage. As a founding member, Sunderland Software City is deeply embedded in the North East’s tech landscape, working to deliver programmes such as the Regional Tech Booster, with a long-term vision of building a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.

If you would like to learn more about the UK Tech Cluster Group or the Regional Tech Booster Programme, you can check out the website here.