TIGA, the network of game developers and digital publishers, said today that more needed to be done to promote clusters of high technology businesses, including games businesses, across the UK. TIGA made the comments following the publication of a report which showed that more start-ups were established in London’s Silicon Roundabout than any other region in the UK. According to UHY Hacker Young, the accountancy firm, 15,720 new businesses were created in London Silicon Roundabout in the year ending March 2013.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“It is great to see so many new firms, including games studios, springing up in London’s Silicon Roundabout. Clusters of geographically concentrated firms from the same sector or similar sectors that collaborate and compete with one another are good for the economy because they typically encourage knowledge transfer, promote business efficiencies and enhance skills.
“Yet we also need to promote the development of clusters throughout the UK. This is vital if we are to spread economic and employment opportunities beyond London. There are creative clusters of games studios across the United Kingdom including Birmingham, Brighton, Cambridge, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guildford, Leamington Spa, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford, and Sheffield.
We should strengthen these clusters and support start-ups through the provision of more business incubators, by strengthening local industry and university links, building connections with finance providers and through the provision of business mentoring. Investing in clusters is investing in success.”
About TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the video games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. Since 2010, TIGA has won 14 business awards and has been nominated a finalist for 16 other awards.
TIGA focuses on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
For further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email: richard.wilson@tiga.org.