Greater Manchester sets out refreshed Digital Blueprint for city-region

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has updated its Digital Blueprint, setting out how the city-region will build on its growing status as a global hub for the digital and technology sector.

The blueprint sets out how, over the next three years to 2026, Greater Manchester will leverage being a world-class digital destination and ensure this supports the city-region’s goals to be a greener, fairer and more prosperous place.

First launched in 2020, the refreshed Digital Blueprint follows unprecedented investment and recognition of Greater Manchester as key global centre for tech businesses. Inward investment in the city-region’s tech companies grew by over 1000% between 2017-18 and 2022, with leading sub-specialties in digital inclusion, AI, security, infrastructure and digital public services.

The updated blueprint will embed and accelerate that progress, refreshing the region’s strategic commitments to put people, the environment, and place firmly at the heart of plans and ensure communities are empowered by the opportunities of a digitally-fuelled local economy.

The refreshed blueprint was launched at DTX Manchester – the North’s biggest digital transformation event, held on the 17^th of May. Speakers included Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, GMCA Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships; Adele Every, Managing Director Public Sector, Cisco UK & Ireland, and Katie Gallagher, Chief Executive of Manchester Digital.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, GMCA Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships & Digital said:

“Greater Manchester has fastest-growing digital economy in Europe, and we’re home to a thriving £5 billion digital ecosystem. Over the last three years we’ve built on that Greater Manchester spirit of doing things differently and leading the way – and the next three years will be another exciting chapter.

“We continue to grow as a world-leading digital city region and remain committed to being open, innovative and connected, empowering our people and communities to thrive. We’re building responsible, data driven public services and creating connected, inclusive and sustainable places.

“Together, we want to better the lives our people and for everyone to feel empowered by the opportunities being a world leading digital city region can bring. By putting people, the environment and places at the heart of our plans, we are taking an inclusive and sustainable approach to being an international digital powerhouse!”

The blueprint outlines five priority areas and four key strategic enablers. Priorities include empowering people and communities, enabling a resilient and prosperous economy; and creating connected, inclusive, sustainable places. For 2023-26, emphasis has been put on strategic enablers including building digital skills and literacy for life, education, work and business, extending our world-class digital infrastructure and strengthening our digital talent pipeline.

The full Greater Manchester Digital Blueprint 2023-26 is available to read online on the GMCA website.