Amazing Accrington hosts cyber-themed education summit

By Scott Dawson Advertising

25 May 2022

education-summit-2022_26-press.jpeg

Accrington Stanley 1968 Lounge, at the Wham Stadium hosted the third Hyndburn Education Summit.

Headteachers and careers leads came together with business leaders to hear about engagement with employers in the borough, and the fantastic opportunities the rapidly growing field of Digital and Cyber is bringing to our region.

Guest speaker at the event was a representative of the National Cyber Force (NCF), a partnership between Defence  MOD and Intelligence GCHQ, which will have its new headquarters in Salmesbury from 2024.

The move is part of the creation of a ‘cyber corridor’ from Manchester to Lancaster, with Samlesbury at its centre, and will bring significant numbers of skilled cyber jobs to the area. The NCF’s arrival will help to grow technology, digital and defence sectors, as well as encouraging partnerships between government, industry and universities in the region.  

The Lancashire area stands out for the quality of universities, Further Education colleges and schools, as well as its ethnic diversity - which is key to having the right mix of minds to represent the UK which is key to recruiting the right mix of minds to join this exciting new partnership. 

The packed schedule, at the stunning £2.5m new hospitality function at the Wham Stadium, saw speakers including:

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington Business Leaders Group and managing director of Scott Dawson Advertising – expanding on the Ambassador programme and inspirational visits into schools Ben Clements, managing director, Emerson & Renwick, speaking about the evolution of engineering and creating new IP Gareth Lindsay, managing director, NLTG, explaining that anyone who wishes to improve their digital skills can be helped Morag Davies, centre principal for Accrington & Rossendale College, on their £4m investment into training facilities for electric car maintenance, amongst other digital provision Heath Groves, CEO, Sundown Solutions, who is a major employer in the tech field in Hyndburn and has visited many schools to inspire pupils to take this career path Collette King, HR director, Studio Retail, about bringing opportunities to the local area as Hyndburn’s largest employer Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, underlining the Government’s pledges on levelling up and education 

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington commented: “We’re very pleased with the success of our Ambassador programme taking businesses into schools, and wish to expand on the number of Ambassadors we have, up to 30. We will also re run our Futures event in October, which was a great success in 2021.”

Ben Clements, managing director, Emerson & Renwick, said: “We’ve added to our traditional skills in engineering. We’re creating processes that have never been done before, and when working in a competitive global market, cyber security becomes critical.”

Gareth Lindsay, managing director, North Lancs Training Group, added, “We are always looking for ways to provide relevant training for everyone we come across, and we currently have 355 open vacancies including digital roles.”

Morag Davis, centre principal for Accrington & Rossendale College, commented, “Every job is a digital job now. We’re pleased to announce we’ve recently been awarded OFSTED Outstanding across our whole group, and one of the things they commented on was that our courses are developed to support the local and regional economy.”

Collette King, HR director, Studio Retail, said: “Studio Retail becoming part of a larger group will bring wider opportunities for colleagues, and to the local area. There are some really strong retailers within the group.”

Heath Groves, CEO, Sundown Solutions, added: “Age is just a number – we have colleagues aged from 16 to 59, currently. We take people on to develop their skills and train them, and we now have a staff of 58.”

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, rounded up with: “Education is key to levelling up, and giving people the skills they need for the future. We all work together to bring a bright future for Accrington and the surrounding area.”

You can see more on opportunities for young people on the purpose built area of the #AmazingAccrington website here: opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk

Picture captions:

Top. Left to right - Collette King of Studio Retail, and Heath Groves of Sundown Solutions speaking at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Middle: Left to right - Heath Groves, Collette King, Gareth Lindsay, Morag Davis, Sara Britcliffe MP and Ben Clements at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Bottom: Left to right - Collette King, Heath Groves, Morag Davis, Gareth Lindsay, Ben Clements and Sara Britcliffe MP speaking at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin