A snapshot of the creative digital scene in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

A snapshot of the creative digital scene in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, the fourth report in the series, highlights the strength of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's creative digital sector.

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¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ digital sector 'on cusp of something big', says new report

, the fourth report in the series, highlights the strength of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's creative digital sector. Jointly commissioned by the University and Creative ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, the report consulted dozens of companies across the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ City Region working in areas of digital design, video games, digital art and culture, digital media and content, and digital making.

In doing so, it shows that over 21,000 people are employed in digital industries across the city region. The top 25 tech companies in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ City Region alone employ more than 12,000 people and bring in more than £2 billion a year.

What’s more, the report found that digital companies in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ are experiencing fast growth, with turnover increasing at 47%. It states that ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ has the talent potential to continue to grow its digital capabilities and is 'on the cusp of something big', with the vast majority of companies expecting to recruit more workers over the next year.

Key findings

  • Digital employment in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and South Yorkshire stands at over 21,000.
  • The top 25 tech companies in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ City Region alone employ more than 12,000 people and bring in more than £2 billion a year.
  • ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ digital companies boast one of the highest growth rates of any cluster in the UK, with turnover increasing at 47%.
  • The vast majority of firms in the sector, from smallest to largest, export their services internationally.
  • ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's pipeline of talented students and graduates can galvanise further innovation and growth for the digital sector.

Achievements by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ creative digital companies:

  • Pimoroni is the second fastest-growing manufacturing company in the UK, 50th fastest in Europe.
  • Ten24 has one of the world's largest photography rigs, enabling the company to work with Warner Brothers, Pixar, Sony and Sega.
  • Sumo Digital was the lead developer for Little Big Planet 3 for Sony.
  • Joi Polloi has won two BAFTAs for work on the TV programmes Humans and Live From Space.
  • Kollider won £3.45 million of capital funding to provide a digital business incubator for ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ.

Digital companies in ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ boast one of the highest growth rates of any cluster in the UK.

REPORT: A SNAPSHOT OF THE CREATIVE DIGITAL SCENE IN SHEFFIELD

Download report: Digital (PDF, 2MB)Article: Digital hub