CyNam showed why Cheltenham and Gloucestershire is recognised as a cyber innovation hub during this year’s Gloucestershire Tech Week.
The week-long programme celebrated innovation, collaboration, and the region’s growing influence on the global cyber stage.
Highlights included a discussion on how Gloucestershire built its cyber ecosystem, capped by the headline talk ‘How to Save the Internet’ from former Deputy Prime Minister and Meta president, Nick Clegg, hosted as part of Cheltenham Literature Festival.
Attendees also explored essential topics shaping the digital age – from international politics and technology investment to cyber resilience – with sessions ranging from a start-up funding workshop to a high-level national security summit at the Bacon Theatre, focusing on geopolitical cyber threats and national defence strategies.
The standout event was arguably EmPower Cyber 2025, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at closing the UK’s digital skills gap and promoting diversity within the cyber workforce.
Held at Oxstalls Sports Centre in Gloucester, EmPower welcomed more than 1,000 Year 8 and 9 students – making it the largest youth cyber education event in the South West.
With support from 25 leading tech and cybersecurity organisations, the event gave students a chance to get hands-on with interactive cyber challenges, meet industry professionals, and discover pathways into digital and STEM careers.
The focus on encouraging more girls and underrepresented groups into cyber technology underscored Gloucestershire’s commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready workforce.
UKC3 Director, and Ecosystem Development Lead, Ben Shorrock, said: “What’s happening in Gloucestershire right now shows the power of collaboration between education, business and government.
“Events like EmPower are not just inspiring the next generation of cyber professionals – they’re proving that regional hubs like Cheltenham and Gloucester are driving national progress in digital innovation and resilience.”
By nurturing young talent through initiatives like EmPower, Gloucestershire continues to demonstrate why it stands at the forefront of the UK’s cyber evolution – driving innovation, developing skills, and creating opportunities that ensure the region remains a beacon for digital excellence.
