Taking a major role in software development

Sep 24 2007 by Aranda Garrard, The Journal

MEANWHILE over on Wearside, another key science and technology project was getting under way.

Sunderland Software City has been launched with an ambitious bid to attract millions of pounds of business investment, employ thousands of people and generate wealth for the city.

Business, academia and the public sector are combining forces in an attempt to transform perceptions of Sunderland and position it as a leading 21st Century city.

Lord Puttnam launched the project and outlined plans to diversify the city’s industrial base and establish a vibrant software industry in Sunderland.

Key regional partners in the exciting concept include Leighton Group, Sunderland University, Sunderland City Council, the North-East Business and Innovation Centre and regional development agency One NorthEast.

And those partners say they have already won support from international businesses and potential investors within the IT and telecommunications industries. Preliminary discussions have taken place on future inward investment and partnership work.

There are already building blocks in place to put the Software City idea into practice with some excellent telecommunications connectivity in Sunderland and the university’s nationally renowned School of Technology and Computing on board as a partner.

The project is intended to be a city wide initiative – not to be a location specific “business park” though the university will be a key “hub” of activity.

Sunderland University Professor John MacIntyre said: “The university is delighted to be taking a leading role in the Sunderland Software City initiative.

“We are aligning our academic programmes so that our graduates will not only have the skills in software development and IT, which the new software industry in Sunderland will need, but will also be helped and encouraged to become the new software entrepreneurs – following the example of others in the region such as Sage and Leighton.

“The university will play a key role in developing and sharing knowledge with the software companies, enhancing high level skills and the knowledge base, and adding real value to the industry.”

Leader of the council Bob Symonds said: “The council has, in partnership with the private sector, been working hard to develop a world class infrastructure of telecommunications and business premises.

“This has already attracted businesses. New buildings like the e-volve Business Centre at Rainton Bridge demonstrate why the city has been voted one of the top seven global “intelligent communities” by the Intelligent Communities Forum.

“We are committed to working with the university, One NorthEast and the private sector to create the right environment for a more diverse, dynamic and modern industrial base.”

Paul Callaghan, chairman of growing technology group Leighton said: “To build a sustainable and globally competitive software industry in Sunderland, we must support innovation to develop a range of products and services that people want to buy in a global market.

“Sunderland Software City is an exciting vision. It’s a big idea that is industry led but harnesses the power of business, academia and the public sector.

“When all three come together like this you have the recipe for success.”

Sunderland Software City has the backing of One NorthEast and the concept is a key plank in the regional economic strategy known as Leading the Way.

The North-East now boasts three “city initiatives” which aim to create location focused infrastructure for businesses in a certain sector.

Alongside Science City and Software City is Tees Valley’s Digital City which is focused on developing digital technologies in the area.