There is plenty of optimism for the future in the region, even if some tech stakeholders in Norfolk and Suffolk have expressed frustration at being overshadowed in tech by its neighbours in Cambridgeshire.
Despite this, the sense of ambition remains high, with key players in the region determined to make their mark.
Funding and availability of skills will continue to be a challenge, however, for those in the region, the momentum feels strong.
Investment in education and upskilling will be important to the region’s success in the long term, ensuring that businesses have access to the talent they need to innovate and grow. However, respondents from the region are largely confident the talent is already present and are more concerned with visibility.
The presence of operations from massive global firms has done a lot to give confidence that Norfolk and Suffolk are good places to run digital businesses, however, the future growth is by no means a done deal.
Transportation infrastructure will be critical to addressing this to encourage greater collaboration with other tech hubs.
There is a sense that with the right kind of investment into transportation and infrastructure, as well as a handful of major exits to help cement its place on the map of UK tech hubs, Norfolk and Suffolk will have every chance to draw more money, more talent and ultimately drive even more economic and technological growth.
Improvements to rail and road links would significantly enhance connectivity between the region and other major tech clusters, making it easier for companies to collaborate and for talent to move freely.
