Technology
Why is it a natural fit for Huntingdonshire?
Huntingdonshire is a flourishing technology hub on the northern edge of the silicon fen – the high-tech hotspot around Cambridge. High tech businesses are well represented with a variety of sectors including high value manufacturing, biotechnology, life sciences, clean tech and ICT at the forefront.
Access to Market
Starting with the ‘Cambridge phenomenon’ in the 1970s the Cambridge and wider region has now become a globally recognised tech cluster nicknamed the ‘Silicon Fen’ – due to its high concentration of technology companies and start-ups, innovating, experimenting, networking and exchanging knowledge. Huntingdonshire sits within the northern fringe of the cluster, that has one of the world’s leading tech and science university, Cambridge University, and major technology powerhouses such as ARM, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Samsung at it’s core.
Huntingdonshire is growing in significance as a home for technology companies and technology innovation and jobs within some of its other key sectors like manufacturing, agri-food and motorsports.
Access to Labour & Knowledge
The whole region has an international reputation for innovation, which is in part driven by the high quality universities with exceptional science, engineering, technology, computing and mathematics departments. Academic centres of excellence, like University of Cambridge and ARU are attracting the top talent from UK and internationally to study in these areas and once they have graduated fuels the high-skilled labour supply into the technology sector in the area. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region has approximately 18,000 R&D jobs, making it one of the most prominent locations for innovation in the whole of the UK.
In Huntingdonshire alone, there are more than 3,000 people employed in the ICT and telecoms sector and it is the fastest growing knowledge intensive sector for employment, growing at more than 3% in the last year. The region is currently home to more than 800 technology companies.
Access to Labour & Knowledge
The whole region has an international reputation for innovation, which is in part driven by the high quality universities with exceptional science, engineering, technology, computing and mathematics departments. Academic centres of excellence, like University of Cambridge and ARU are attracting the top talent from UK and internationally to study in these areas and once they have graduated fuels the high-skilled labour supply into the technology sector in the area. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region has approximately 18,000 R&D jobs, making it one of the most prominent locations for innovation in the whole of the UK.
In Huntingdonshire alone, there are more than 3,000 people employed in the ICT and telecoms sector and it is the fastest growing knowledge intensive sector for employment, growing at more than 3% in the last year. The region is currently home to more than 800 technology companies.
Access to Transport Network
Huntingdonshire is a key arterial region that has seen significant, recent investment in its road infrastructure. The 2020 £1.5n upgrade to the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge has made the routes to Cambridge, Peterborough, London and key international ports, such as Felixstowe, and airports much faster. The region also sits on high speed and accessible passenger and freight rail links to the London and the North. There is also an established guided bus link from Huntingdon and St Ives directly into Cambridge city centre.
This vital infrastructure enables technology companies to access other companies within the cluster as well as enabling staff to travel to and from work, whether they live in close proximity or a bit further afield.
Fit with UK Strategy
The UK is looking to take the lead in cutting-edge technology and revolutionary research, leading the race to a net zero economy. The technology sector is at the forefront of innovation across many of the sectors the UK government is focused on to provide growth in the UK economy such as; Augmented reality and virtual reality, Carbon capture, usage and storage, Clean Agri-tech, Cyber Security, Ed Tech, Fintech, Greener buildings, MedTech, Sustainable infrastructure and Zero emission vehicles. In fact the UK tech industry, which is growing at a faster rate than the UK economy is looking to maintain its lead as one of the world’s premier locations for technology of all kinds.
The Economic Development Team for Invest in Huntingdonshire are constantly horizon scanning for funding and skills support that can be utilised to support the growth of the technology sector in the region in support of the key sector focus for the UK economy.
Fit with UK Strategy
The UK is looking to take the lead in cutting-edge technology and revolutionary research, leading the race to a net zero economy. The technology sector is at the forefront of innovation across many of the sectors the UK government is focused on to provide growth in the UK economy such as; Augmented reality and virtual reality, Carbon capture, usage and storage, Clean Agri-tech, Cyber Security, Ed Tech, Fintech, Greener buildings, MedTech, Sustainable infrastructure and Zero emission vehicles. In fact the UK tech industry, which is growing at a faster rate than the UK economy is looking to maintain its lead as one of the world’s premier locations for technology of all kinds.
The Economic Development Team for Invest in Huntingdonshire are constantly horizon scanning for funding and skills support that can be utilised to support the growth of the technology sector in the region in support of the key sector focus for the UK economy.
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Technology Data & Insights
A knowledge-sharing community
Huntingdonshire already has an established and fast growing base of technology businesses within the region. This provides companies seeking to locate to the area a vital critical mass of organisations from which they can network, share knowledge and enhance innovation.
Fast growing talent pool
There are already over 3,000 employed in technology in the district. But it is the speed of growth of in jobs that is even more significant. The technology sector in Huntingdonshire is the fastest growing Knowledge Intensive based sector for employment.
St Neots leading the way
St Neots is looking at becoming one of the UK’s first ‘smart’ market towns, looking at how data, emerging technology and digital connectivity can support the growth of town.
Why 42T Technology Chose Huntingdonshire
42T is a product design and technology innovation consultancy based in St Ives that partners with its clients to solve complex engineering problems and create brilliantly successful products across three key sectors; industrial, transport and energy; consumer; and healthcare and life sciences. Read more about how they see St Ives as not only a beautiful, thriving riverside market town but a well-connected strategic location for their business.
Why 42T Technology Chose Huntingdonshire
42T is a product design and technology innovation consultancy based in St Ives that partners with its clients to solve complex engineering problems and create brilliantly successful products across three key sectors; industrial, transport and energy; consumer; and healthcare and life sciences. Read more about how they see St Ives as not only a beautiful, thriving riverside market town but a well-connected strategic location for their business.
Key Developments: Alconbury Weald & The Enterprise Zone
Located on the rail and road transport spine of the country, with easy access to all corners of the country, Alconbury Campus lies between the global innovation hub of Cambridge and the environmental services cluster of Peterborough. The Campus is part of a wider development which includes homes, schools, retail and community facilities as well as a major transport hub.
Innovative businesses:
Businesses who have located to Alconbury Enterprise Campus include: BioBean who are recycling waste coffee grounds into advanced biofuels, biomass pellets and, in the near future biodiesel; AMFresh specialising in innovating and developing healthy, natural and fresh foods globally; and IKO Group who have their enertherm PIR insulation manufacturing plant at Alconbury. The campus is home to a growing number of manufacturers utilising sensor technology and robotics within their production. Many are collaborating with Universities and bringing the latest innovation from across the UK to their facilities to improve productivity and efficiency, embracing digital tech in manufacturing.
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