DRIVING GROWTH IN THE UK CYBER SECTOR

Written By Mollie Maynard-Skelton

Cyber Growth & Innovation Forums 

The challenge

The UK cyber sector is growing rapidly, but regional ecosystems often lack the interface with centralised departments needed to fully unlock innovation and investment.

Working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the goal was to convene industry leaders, startups, investors and policymakers to explore the challenges facing the growth of the cyber sector in the UK. Alongside this, we sought to amplify the unique strengths of the chosen regional ecosystems.

The activation

We designed and delivered two Cyber Growth & Innovation Forums in Bristol and Leeds, bringing together diverse voices from across the cyber sector to champion their local area, and created a space for honest discussion, meaningful connections and practical insight. 

Research & insight gathering

  • Conducted primary research consultations with key industry contacts to understand the challenges facing the cyber sector

  • Identified key themes and discussion topics to shape the event agenda

  • Used insights to ensure the forums addressed real industry needs and priorities

Event design & delivery

  • Developed the event strategy, branding and format

  • Shifted away from a traditional conference model to an interactive and fun experience

  • Designed facilitated breakout workshops to encourage engaging discussions around barriers to cyber investment and innovation. The workshops included:

    • World Café – Small rotating groups explored past successes, current barriers and strategies to increase investment, building on each other's ideas collaboratively at each table

    • Matching Needs – Investors and businesses split into two groups to visually map their needs and challenges, bringing both perspectives to life

    • Investment Journey – Participants mapped the funding and support requirements of a micro-business/SME at each stage, identifying types of investment, non-financial support, access routes and communication gaps

  • Hosted end-of-day panel discussions, moderated by Co-Founder and CEO Rebecca Day, to share insights captured in real time from all workshops, ensuring key learnings and recommendations were communicated back to participants and stakeholders

  • Delivered full event production including venue sourcing, registration, AV, photography and onsite management

Community engagement

  • Led guest communications, outreach and registration to bring together stakeholders from across the ecosystem

  • Created a regional toolkit for amplifiers to share across their channels to extend reach

  • Convened representatives from startups, SMEs, investors, government and large organisations

  • Ensured strong representation across gender, ethnic diversity and regional perspective

The impact

  • Full, highly engaged workshops generated valuable insight into the barriers and opportunities facing the cyber sector, with key findings shared across government and participants

  • 90% of attendees rated the events 4 or 5 out of 5

  • Stronger regional connections, with participants making multiple new business contacts

  • Increased visibility for the Bristol and Leeds regional cyber ecosystems

  • Created a platform for ongoing collaboration, supporting the continued growth and innovation of the UK cyber industry

  • The development of a stronger, more collaborative national cyber ecosystem

Mollie Maynard-Skelton
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