Data consultancy, The Data City has secured a six-figure project with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Cambridge Econometrics to map high-potential business clusters around the UK.

The work will help DSIT drive the growth of the UK economy and support the government’s Growth Plan. The project sees expert analysts from Leeds-based The Data City working closely with both organisations to explore science, technology, research & innovation cluster formation and performance. It involves identifying groups of businesses with a high potential for growth and sharing characteristics that can be defined as a cluster.

The Data City is successfully mapping the UK’s emerging economy, providing researchers, policymakers and investors with real-time data on dynamic sectors and the companies within them.

The primary focus of the multi-stage study is to identify groups of firms that meet the different criteria and can be considered ‘true’ clusters. The project involves collecting, processing and analysing four primary datasets before data processing and analysis.

The team will then identify groups of firms based on their patterns of activity and location. The work will be undertaken through network analysis of the UKRI and Patent and Academic Activity Datasets. Both databases will then be linked, and a complete list of clusters will be finalised.

As registered secure data users, Cambridge Econometrics will process all secure microdata and ensure non-disclosive before sharing it with other partners.

Once the data has been collected, processed and checked, it will be used to produce the final report, added to the cluster database, and built into an interactive website created by The Data City.

The Data City is a data-as-a-service company providing unique, real-time industrial data on the most dynamic emerging economic sectors. Delivered by a cutting-edge AI, The Data City’s platform combines all the data needed in one place, from open data sets and website text to company financials and investment data, allowing users to make impactful discoveries in minutes.

The Data City team has spent the last seven years working with industry bodies, academic and sector experts and government departments to build an extensive library of new economy sector classifications that, once classified, are made available to all of its customers.

Alex Craven, CEO of The Data City, said: “It is a testament to the hard work of our team that we can work in partnership with leading organisations to play an important part in the UK’s Growth Plan.

“The innovative approach we have proposed will prove more effective in identifying a wider selection of clusters of different types than any single approach would be capable of, leading to a much more comprehensive and detailed picture of the UK cluster landscape that will ensure that support is targeted to companies with great potential for growth and job creation.”

The sister of a man killed while unloading a lorry trailer has spoken of the devastating impact her brother’s death has had on their family. Anthony Clark, 51, from Darlington worked for GCS Johnson Limited, a trucking company based in North Yorkshire. On 17 August 2018 the father-of-two was helping move a large piece of machinery from one trailer to another at the GCS Johnson depot at Barton Quarry industrial estate in Richmond. As a team of workers were moving the piece of machinery, it fell from the bed of the vehicle trailer and hit Anthony killing him instantly. Anthony, a grandfather of two and an avid Sunderland fan, had recently got engaged to his fiancé Marie. On the day of his funeral, he was due to leave on a cruise with Marie. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that when the workers were transferring the load for shipment, the machinery was in two parts and the smaller section fell free during the lifting operation. This caused the part of machinery to strike Anthony resulting in immediate fatal injuries. On 3 May 2023 at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, GCS Johnson Limited of Barton Park, Barton, Richmond, North Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay £18,355.07 in costs. Anthony had an older brother, Graham, and sister Elaine. Elaine Clark said: “Today’s verdict will not bring our Anthony back. He absolutely should not have died at work that day. He should still be here but he’s not. And that leaves a huge void in all our lives that nothing will ever replace.

“Mum has lost her son. Marie has lost her fiancé. Graham and I don’t have our baby brother anymore. His daughters don’t have their dad. His grandchildren will never get to know their Grandad. “None of us get to see his smile. None of us get to hear him laugh. He doesn’t get to ride his scooter with his mates. Or go to watch Sunderland every week. He will never get old like the rest of us. “Nearly five years on, family events that should be joyous occasions are tainted by our Anthony not being there. And that will never change. I can only repeat, he absolutely should not have died at work that day.” After the hearing, HSE inspector Julian Franklin said: “You can tell from the moving tribute from Anthony’s sister, Elaine, how popular he was and the severe impact his death has had on the family. “If the load had been examined carefully prior to the lift being carried out, the team would have identified that it was in two pieces. As it was, the lifting method used was not suitable for a load of that size and shape, and a lifting plan should have been prepared. “This terrible incident could so easily have been avoided by simply implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices.”

Sheffield-based WANdisco, the data activation platform, has revealed that it is undertaking a reorganisation and review process that will reduce the company’s global headcount by approximately 30%. The proposed actions are across all areas of the company’s operational and geographic footprint, with the individuals impacted being consulted in accordance with local law with the provision of support and information on next steps. WANdisco says it has conducted a detailed review of the business which has “indicated the need for difficult but necessary changes to the company’s size in order to position the company for long-term growth and success.” The news comes after scandal hit the business recently, in which “significant, sophisticated and potentially fraudulent irregularities with regard to received purchase orders and related revenue and bookings, as represented by one senior sales employee” were discovered. Trading in WANdisco’s shares were subsequently suspended back in March. Kenneth Lever, executive chairman of WANdisco plc, said: “The proposal to reduce the company’s overall headcount was considered at great length. Regrettably, the proposed action is a necessary step to responsibly position WANdisco for long-term growth. “We are working through the process as sensitively and supportively as we can, providing those directly impacted with as much information and support as possible and at all times in full compliance with local law.”

This summer will see the launch of a new partnership designed to offer a range of software development training and career opportunities to individuals and businesses in the North.

The Edge Hub, a digital upskilling and business growth collaboration, will work withwith Makers, a provider of hybrid bootcamps and apprenticeships in the digital sector.

Based in Hull, The Edge Hub will offer a unique hybrid technology centre dedicated to innovation, technology, and skills. Makers is a leading provider of holistic software development courses and apprenticeships and have trained 1’000’s of technology leaders over their ten-year journey. They work with an extensive range of national brands, including Santander, Tesco, Meta and Ford. The relationship will offer individuals and businesses in the North the opportunity to access a 16-week bootcamp in software development along with wraparound career support to fast-track the advancement of digital skills in the region. Claudia Harris, Makers’ CEO, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with The Edge Hub to build a unique community and space for Makers training in the Humber region and beyond. Over the past ten years, we have trained a diverse group of thousands of engineers, focusing on a growth mindset and emotional intelligence alongside excellent technical skills. Our partnership with The Edge Hub will create a powerful and intimate community of individuals and businesses working to unlock the full potential of the digital sector in the region.” Antonio Tombanane, the founder of The Edge Hub and Tech Week Humber, added: “The partnership with Makers is fantastic news for The Edge Hub and the North. We are introducing a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to access a new digital career in just 16 weeks. This fits perfectly with our ethos of fast-tracking filling the region’s digital skills gaps.”