Around 30 guests attended for the launch of a new Cyber Super Cluster in Cheltenham today (May 8).

Businesses, local authorities and academics from across South Wales and Western England got together for the event to launch a new programme to build the UK's largest Cyber Super Cluster and become a leading destination for technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and advanced manufacturing.

The launch took place at Cheltenham's soon to be opened £9.27 million Minister Exchange (MX) - a state-of-the-art workspace for the cyber tech, digital and creative sectors and a Growth Hub to support business development.

With cyber-attacks from hostile states and fraudsters becoming increasingly prevalent, ensuring the UK can protect innovative businesses is becoming increasingly important.

As home to GCHQ and one of Europe's most productive clusters of cyber businesses, Cheltenham sits at the heart of a wider area which is home to many of the organisations critical to ensuring the UK can stay one step ahead of such attacks. With new AI technology becoming more sophisticated, cyber skills are likely to become more important for tech businesses in the future.

At the event today, local authorities and businesses got together to understand how the Western Gateway region can add to this, to strengthen connections between these separate clusters, create new opportunities and ensure the UK can compete on a global stage to attract new cyber and technology companies and investment.

Opening the event, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Cyber is such an important part of Gloucestershire's history and heritage, but also its future.

"I remember, many years ago, that anything we did on the regional side was disjointed. Since Western Gateway came along, we've got a real sense that we've got our identity, we've got our purpose, we've got our vision and we've got our drive. This is just another example of what we're doing collectively to push our economy forward."

Andrew Roughan, MD of Plexal, said: "Environments like the MX provide, energy, services and stimulation that bring an ecosystem together."

Cllr Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "Today is about pulling people together who will be users of this across the region. So I feel very justified in the fact that we kept fighting to have this building."

Viscount Camrose, UK minister for cyber, said: "With technology developing faster than ever, it is vital we make the most of the UK's growing cyber and digital expertise - to keep us safe and reap the benefits of innovation like ground-breaking healthcare research and growing our economy.

"The Western Gateway's work in bringing together local authorities, tech companies and academics to capitalise on the thriving industries in South Wales and the West of England will create more highly paid jobs and further strengthen the UK's position as a cyber power."

Speaking to Punchline-Gloucester.com editor, Mark Owen, John Wilkinson, director of Western Gateway, said: "A third of the UK's cyber patents come from the Western Gateway area. We're 25% more productive in our cyber economy than the UK average, so we've got a brilliant starting point, but we think we can do even more."

The work to create a Cyber Super Cluster to rival Silicon Valley in the USA was organised by Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England. The partnership brings together more than 28 local authorities from across the region, along with business and academic representatives, to create new jobs and opportunities for local communities.

Sarah Williams-Gardener, chair of the Western Gateway, said: "A Super Cluster is not defined by one particular physical place working in isolation; it is where great minds collaborate, challenge and convene across business, government and academia. Our combined vibrancy across Bristol, Cardiff and Cheltenham, with 12 universities and support from Tech Spark, Engine Shed, Tramshed Tech, Alacrity and others, is allowing start-ups and spinouts to flourish.

"Protecting our citizens, customers and colleagues is critical and will be best served by collaboration. I am confident that, by working together across the pan-regional area, we can compete on the world stage."

Dr Jo Jenkinson, director of the GW4 Alliance which brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, said: "Tackling global challenges through advanced cyber and digital is a core strategic priority of the GW4 Alliance. Across the alliance, we have already seen technological success and scientific breakthroughs with the GW4 supercomputer Isambard. Later this year, Isambard-AI will be established as a new national Artificial Intelligence Research Resource. We look forward to working with the Western Gateway and partners to play a key role in advancing cyber and digital transformation."