| Thinking Business |
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With a long history of technology innovation in the region combined with a modern communications infrastructure and a competitive and stimulating creative environment, Wiltshire has become a top location choice for world-class ICT companies, craftspeople and artists and skilled workers. The South West of England Regional Development Agency recognises the ICT industry as a key sector and is supportive in its projected growth. The region is also nationally recognised for its cultural diversity and thriving creative community. Creative industries have their origin in the creativity, skills and talent to be found in businesses such as advertising agencies, architecture, art & crafts, design, film & video, music, animation, television production companies, web designers, performing arts and publishing. SECTOR PROFILE The region's significant R&D capabilities, skills availability, rapid transport connections, illustrious academic knowledge transfer and effective networking opportunities underpin a dynamic sector. Additionally but significantly, the southwest is considered to offer the best lifestyle choice in the UK. Data suggest that there has been some growth of business size in Wiltshire, and the pattern of new business formation is more pronounced. It is an industry that is marked by the relatively high level of qualifications held by its employees: over 30% hold degree or equivalent qualifications, second only to the Biotechnology sector. The creative sector is predominantly a graduate labour market. Information & Communications Technology
ICT is the top priority sector in terms of overall contribution to the regional economy, and has the highest number of businesses of the priority sectors. The sector is marked by relatively high investment levels, reflecting its relatively high capital intensity and the potential role of investment as a productivity driver. It also has strong export performance, accounting for 9% of all South West exports. On the supply side, the Universities in the region have been producing sufficient numbers of graduates. The sector in the Southwest also has a competitive advantage due to lower costs of labour and premises. ICT plays an important “secondary role” in support of all other modern industries, and a well-developed ICT sector is required to develop and support the growth and adoption of technological change. ACADEMIC RESEARCH & EXPERTISE Developing next generation products is one of the key criteria for businesses choosing to invest or set-up business in the area. The region's universities provide support on R&D, graduate and post-graduate training for continuous personal development of staff. Expert South West is a great website that allows you to find staff with the right skills and explore opportunities represented by the region's universities. Examples of specialist strengths at individual universities include: University of Bath – Human Computer Interaction Group, Collaborative Environments, Mobile & persuasive Systems, Media Technology Research Centre (MTRC), Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts Bath Spa University - Interactive Multimedia, International Centre for Digital and Interactive Audio University of Bristol – 3C Research, Centre for Communications Research, Exabyte Informatics, Advanced Computer Research Centre, Digital Media Foundations, Intelligent Systems, Personal Systems, Bristol Robotics Lab, Centre for IT and Law, Quantum Computation and Information. Digital Media Group, 3 C Research, High performance computing (HPC) University of the West of England - Centre for Complex Cooperative Systems, Bristol Robotics Laboratory. Centre for Fine Print Research Institute for Arts and Technology Innovate: Centre for Creative Industries Great Western Research (GWE) – will provide 130 Postgraduate Research Studentships in the collaborative themes, offered under joint supervision between HEIs in order to gain access to the latest research interfaces. Studentships will be designed to meet business needs and will be jointly funded by industry and SWRDA. Incubation and Innovation - Successful and growing ICT businesses realise the importance of being located in a flexible, supportive and technology-focused environment. The innovation centres within the south west work with those businesses that will benefit from close connections with the knowledge base, including universities and other research partners. INDUSTRY & SECTOR SUPPORT Support for the continued growth and advancement of the creative industries in the region is shared between South West Screen, who cover the media and digital side, and Culture South West who cover the non-media side. Wiltshire is supported by a regional programme offering a wide range of options, including space at all its key university campuses. We recognise that creative organisations need flexible working space in close proximity to expertise in higher education, other companies or integrated business support. Examples include: The UWE Innovate eMedia Incubator & eMedia at Watershed, providing hi-tech managed office space in prime locations. Interactive Media Centre- the flagship of the Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Digital and Broadcast Media at Wiltshire College. IMC’s purpose-built media complex offers facilities, provides training, supports professional development and brokers industry/education production partnerships. http://www.imc24.co.uk/ The Wiltshire and Swindon Moving Image Education Hub, IMC is playing an active role in developing the hub, hosting the portal and bulletin board at www.mediahubbub.co.uk Great Western Research – the existing GWR studentship scheme is to be extended to include a 6th theme for proposals, that of Information and Communication Technology, adding to the original 5 themes of Applied Mathematics, Creative Arts, Materials, Sustainability and Psychology.
KEY PLAYERS IN WILTSHIRE Here are just a small number of creative industries companies who highlight the excellence in creativity and business innovation in Wiltshire: Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, provides an important base for arts groups and is set to become the hub for music, dance and theatre performances for people across North Wiltshire. Rooms are available for use by local groups and the unique auditorium for over 100 people will be used to deliver quality arts programme of performance, participation, education, exhibitions and outreach to everyone living in the area Real World, Corsham, Residential recording and multimedia studio, conceived and designed to offer an environment that is sympathetic to the creation and performance of music, whilst providing state of the art technology. Offering some of the finest acoustic technology solutions, inspiring environments and an experienced team. Facilities are available to suit a wide range of ambition and budget, from the versatile functionality of Millside to the Big Room. http://www.realworld.co.uk/ BBC Natural History Unit BBC Wiltshire Touch Productions - History and science documentary programmes. Corsham Media Park - a 30-acre site currently used as a media studio and equipment centre, Corsham Media Park is scheduled for a major 650,000 square foot redevelopment. The new plans include office space and data centres for use by organisations who need to store highly secure information in a discreet location, such as banks and government agencies. The office space will create between 1,000 and 1,500 jobs. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS: |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 September 2009 ) |