The North must think bigger, aim higher, and look beyond its borders if it’s to cement its place as a world-leading tech hub – that was the rallying cry as Prolific North’s Digital City Leaders Summit got underway in Manchester today.
In the summit’s opening headline session — The Northern Tech Vision: A Global Perspective — leading figures from across the industry came together at Bruntwood SciTech to chart a course for the region’s future on the global stage. More than 200 founders, investors, and digital leaders packed into the room to hear from Jonny Clarke, CEO of Capital Enterprise, and Ruth Kennedy, CEO of TalkTalk Business, as they set out the opportunities and obstacles facing the North’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.
“I’ve never been more bullish on the North,” Jonny told the sell-out crowd. “Setting up any business is difficult — whether you’re in the North or the South East — but the challenges differ. In the North, I see less of a funding gap and more of an infrastructure gap.
“It’s about making the most of the resources you do have. These days, you can base your business in Manchester or anywhere across the North and still engage with London through virtual events and platforms like LinkedIn. You no longer need satellite offices or a move south to stay competitive.”
Success, he said, lies in authenticity — not in trying to replicate what has come before — and that’s something he sees in abundance across the North.
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He added that a “cocktail of factors” is contributing to a “perfect storm of opportunity” in the region, making this a “right time, right place” moment for Northern hubs like Manchester, which is now the most popular location outside London to start a tech business.
“Manchester is really well placed to benefit from trickle-down growth across the economy,” he said.
The discussion explored the North’s standing in the global tech landscape, the pressing need for better infrastructure and investment, and the role of ambition in driving international success. Both speakers stressed that for Northern tech companies to thrive, they must adopt a global mindset from day one — building businesses not just for the UK, but with scale and international relevance in mind.
For Ruth Kennedy, the North’s strength lies in its community spirit. “You hear a lot about London, but it’s congested and lacks that sense of community,” she said. “In the North, that community feel creates much better conditions for businesses to grow.”
Her advice for emerging Northern businesses? Build something that can ‘evolve and mature.’
“Going global is all about timing,” she added. “There are lots of examples of businesses charging ahead because they were committed to an idea, but the timing was off — and those consequences can take years to emerge. Think carefully about your timing.”
Jonny echoed the need for strategic foresight. “Understand where you want to go from the start. Think about the investors you bring in, the staff you hire — they all impact your journey. Own your infrastructure as much as possible and choose your professional services partners wisely.”
