Northern tech ecosystem

Justin Carpenter, Partner at Bailey Fisher, reflects on 15 months as head of our Manchester office. 

"A few months after joining Bailey Fisher, it was great to see Innovate Cambridge and ID Manchester (now Sister) launch a formal collaboration, connecting Manchester’s rapidly growing tech scene with Cambridge’s established ecosystem. With Manchester now the largest tech hub outside London, and Cambridge again named as the most intensive science and tech cluster in the world, the partnership has brought together two of the UK’s key innovation cities, formalising existing collaborations for the benefit of both cities, and the wider UK economy.
 
Reflecting on the past 15 months, the people I’ve met, the exciting technologies I’ve seen and the rapidly growing ecosystem, I can’t help but smile. Walking through Manchester, I invariably bump into someone that I know. Attending events is now like catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. The North and Manchester has helped me so much with what I thought would be my biggest challenge - knowing who’s who and who the big players are. 
 
With a focus on the three university ecosystems of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, the majority of my attention has been on understanding the investors, incubators, accelerators and office space focused on helping the companies spinning out and those that have started to mature. The start up and scale up networks that support these businesses have been a huge and positive surprise, and there is a real vibrancy across the region as everyone collaborates to give these companies every chance of succeeding.  
 
The excitement that we had when opening our Manchester office, and the reception we’ve received from investors, professional services and the companies has been great, and has already led to me supporting several high growth companies with appointments including Chair, CTO, CFO and HRD. The tech scene is wide ranging, from cybersecurity, AI, SaaS (12.5% of Manchester’s high growth start ups are in this space), to medtech, with Manchester now one of the main medtech hubs outside London. I’ve seen particular interest in hiring from clients within healthtech and robotics.
 
I am constantly surrounded by dynamic, positive people, who relish a challenge and are working together for the greater good. The North is thriving, and all the signs are that we will continue to grow and grow."

Contact Justin on justin@baileyfisher.com