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A Week at Tech City UK

Avatar, October 24, 2016 ⏱ 3 min read

This article was originally posted on the Tech City UK website.

A key part of Tech City UK’s mission – to make the UK the best place to start and grow a digital business – is to ensure that the voice of tech entrepreneurs is heard in central government. Last week we were busy performing this role, this is a summary of just some of our activity.

On Wednesday morning 49 founders from Tech City UK’s Future Fifty programme wrote an open letter urging UK government to consider the importance of access to international tech talent.

 

 

CityAM featured a letter signed by over 50 tech entrepreneurs, many of whom are alumni or current members of Tech City UK’s Future Fifty programme. Founders and tech employees are worried that Brexit will hamper their ability to hire talented tech workers and will deter the brightest and best from wanting to come to join or set up businesses in the UK.

One of Tech City UK’s main roles is to reflect what the tech community thinks to Government, so that together the sector and policy makers can find the best solution to the challenges the sector faces. This letter explains why the UK needs to remain an open economy and why tech companies must be able to continue to recruit skilled workers from around the world, even after the country leaves the EU. We are committed to conveying this message to the highest levels.

On Wednesday afternoon we jointly hosted a roundtable for a range of Venture Capitalists with the Home Office at White Bear Yard with Tech City UK Chair, Eileen Burbidge.

 

The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss a VC perspective on the crucial issue of tech talent for portfolio companies. This provided Home Office with the opportunity to consult with investors that have a great depth of knowledge on the sector.

On Thursday morning Tech City UK CEO, Gerard Grech, and Chair, Eileen Burbidge, met with Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Karen Bradley, to discuss the future of UK technology.

Gerard met with Karen to discuss the importance of safeguarding access to talent and investment for the tech sector. Messaging from the Government was also discussed and how important it is for the digital community to feel that their concerns are being heard.

On Thursday afternoon Tech City UK hosted a roundtable discussion with Minister for International Trade, Greg Hands, and leading tech entrepreneurs.

 

The Minister came to Tech City UK’s office along with leading entrepreneurs from Tech City UK’s Future Fifty and Upscale programmes. On the agenda was the future of the UK’s technology sector, with particular focus on how international trade and expansion could be affected in the near future.

Minister for International Trade, Greg Hands, commented: “By supporting businesses not only in London but up and down country, Tech City UK ensures our digital economy continues to thrive. It was great to meet some of UK’s most exciting tech companies and tour the East London tech cluster, including a visit to Central Working and Google Campus.”

“I heard first hand about the ambitious and innovative projects that they are working on. There are enormous opportunities within our tech industry and, as we prepare to leave the EU, we want to ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.”

 

Companies attended:

FundApps (Future Fifty company)
Iwoca (Future Fifty company)
The Floow (Future Fifty company)
Ratesetter (Future Fifty company)
Kano (Upscale company)
Tech North

 

On Friday morning Tech City UK hosted a roundtable discussion at Number 10 Downing Street to ensure UK technology sector remains top of the agenda.

 

We brought together founders from our Future Fifty and Upscale programmes with investors, industry partners and policy makers at Number 10 Downing Street.

Companies raised a range of different points, such as: access to talent; reassurances EU employees; funding and infrastructure; the reputation of the UK tech sector; and support from the UK government.

This was a productive discussion with lots of engagement from companies. We are committed to working with government to ensure the tech sector continues to thrive through these uncertain times.

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