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Following @thehut_com's record-breaking IPO this month, I wanted to share some more data on the growing technology scene in Manchester and the North West, an often overlooked light in the UK economy ( a thread ).
To start with, The Hut Group is a phenomenon. Based in Crewe & MCR Airport, the company just had the largest IPO on the LSE in 7-years. They employ over 7K people, and have created many thousands of more jobs in the region. It's a huge win for UK PLC. https://www.ft.com/content/06b3022b-b891-4642-9048-3ac2683b828c
The Hut has been amongst the top recruiters of Oxbridge computer science graduates in the UK for years, bringing a whole generation of engineers to the region. Given all the focus on London's Silicon Roundabout & Square Mile, this is an incredible achievement.
But THG is just one of a number of huge tech companies based in the NW. Manchester is also home to regional offices for US tech giants including Google, Amazon & Microsoft.
In fact there are 1,300 jobs in tech in Manchester open right now: https://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/technology/in-manchester
In fact there are 1,300 jobs in tech in Manchester open right now: https://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/technology/in-manchester
It's also often chosen as a base for European tech companies, with @bookingcom, Siemens and @Klarna all with significant offices here. Sadly I've had more calls with US & European based CEOs interested in setting up an office in Manchester than British ones.
And there's a huge amount of local entrepreneurial and engineering talent. Companies like UKFast, @matillion and @PushDoctor are all following in THG's footsteps.
In fact in 2019 @TechNation argued MCR was the fastest growing 'tech city' in Europe: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-tech/manchester-is-fastest-growing-tech-city-in-europe-report-idUSKBN21400B
In fact in 2019 @TechNation argued MCR was the fastest growing 'tech city' in Europe: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-tech/manchester-is-fastest-growing-tech-city-in-europe-report-idUSKBN21400B
But local expertise goes well beyond software. MCR has long been a global leader in life sciences as well, home to some of the most important C20th breakthroughs, including the invention of the contraceptive pill & the first child conceived through IVF. https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/two-university-of-manchester-discoveries-in-the-top-ten-of-all-time/
It continues to make history. The Alderley Science Park, once home to Astra Zeneca, is incubating many more exciting innovations in life sciences for the UK.
If the Government is looking to support regional hubs, this would be a great place to start: https://biocity.co.uk/locations/alderley-park/
If the Government is looking to support regional hubs, this would be a great place to start: https://biocity.co.uk/locations/alderley-park/
And of course Manchester University & the local town of Wilmslow was home to the first modern computer and Alan Turing, Britain's greatest computer scientist. The Alan Turing Institute, a brilliant group supporting UK computer science, is of course headquartered in London.
All this is to say that MCR and the surrounding region is deserving of much greater investment, coverage and support as a tech hub. As early investors in @thehut_com, & with TWO Mancunians in our partnership, @balderton hope to do much more in the region, join us.
