North East England

Driven by talented innovators and ambitious start-ups, the North East is fast emerging as a leading player within the digital media & software field.

Dominated by small companies with many self-employed professionals, the sector embraces a diverse range of businesses such as advertising, performing arts, publishing, music, TV & radio, film, software and computer games.

Employing around 35,000 people in the North East, the wider commercial creative sector contributes £1.167 billion to the economy and is expected to expand by over a quarter between 2007 and 2017.

"Driven by talented innovators and ambitious start-ups, the North East is fast emerging as a leading player within the digital media & software field."

The most prominent software company in North East England is Sage. This financial management systems giant, with its global HQ in Newcastle, is the only digital company listed in the FTSE 100.

The digital media and animation sub-sector is particularly strong and in the three years to 2007, the North East boasted the highest number of new technology start-ups in this field outside London.

Digital companies are ably supported by Teesside University's Institute of Digital Innovation, which has helped to create 50 new start-up businesses. It has emerged as a leading centre’s for electronic games development and start-ups, with a dynamic cluster of firms and university courses acting as a magnet for entrepreneurs and students.

Key companies within this field include Eutechnyx, the world’s leading independent computer driving game developer and animation specialist Qurios.

Building upon the North East’s particular strengths for online content and technology support will be key to growth, as well as capitalising on the area’s appeal to creative professionals as an attractive place to relocate.

Sunderland Software City is a focus for business software development and enterprise growth. Codeworks, established with the backing of One North East, is the centre of excellence for digital innovation in the North East. It offers business support and helps attract R&D funding, so start to build your career in the digital & new media sector in the North East.

Professions include: Games designers, musicians, graphic designers, publishers, writers, broadcasters, advertisers, brand designers and artists.

Creative apprenticeships are available in live events & promotion and community arts & cultural venue operations (such as museum management).