Digital Lancashire launches to boost tech in the red rose county

Lancashire doesn’t get the same level of attention as the North’s biggest cities when it comes to technology. Still, there’s lots going on across this vast and diverse county. Digital Lancashire is a new organisation that aims to help give it a boost.

With the aim of “accelerating the digital economy in Lancashire,” the not-for-profit body will focus on familiar challenges like skills, training, awareness of the sector and improving best practice. Supported by Lancashire County Council, it will be funded by membership fees.

Digital Lancashire is headed up by Managing Director Stewart Townsend (far right, above). While based in the county, he has worked in senior sales roles at internationally known firms names like Oracle, Datasift and Zendesk. He’s a well-liked figure in UK tech and a good choice as the ‘face’ for the new organisation.

Membership-based trade bodies can help develop a cohesive ‘voice’ and offering in the area they represent but they’re thin on the ground across the North of England. Manchester Digital is the most well-established, while Sheffield Digital and the North East’s Dynamo have launched more recently.

Digital Lancashire has a huge geographic area to cover; from Chorley in the South, to Lancaster in the North, Blackpool in the West and Burnley in the East. Yet it’s already celebrating success stories, like connecting the region’s firms with clients and supporting an apprenticeship initiative.

Membership is free for the first 100 companies and individuals that sign up.

Read about Lancashire startups World Around Me and Flow XO.

Image: Digital Lancashire’s founders. Credit: Digital Lancashire