A new organisation called UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) has been launched to support economic growth in the cyber security industry with strong representation from Gloucestershire.

UKC3 will deliver initiatives designed to stimulate innovation and support the development of cyber skills. It will coordinate with Government, industry bodies and UK Cyber Clusters.

Richard Yorke, Chair, of Cheltenham-based CyNam, said: "The UK's thriving cyber sector is recognised as world-leading and through greater collaboration, innovation and skills development we have a real opportunity to deliver growth that benefits businesses and individual citizens across the UK."

The aim is to provide a single interface so that industry stakeholders can engage with the UK's Cyber Cluster network.

Cheltenham, home to GCHQ, is bidding to become the UK's cyber capital. The UK has one of the most vibrant digital economies in the world.

The new organisation aims to spur economic growth and cyber sector prosperity across the UK and play an part in both levelling-up and the post-Covid 19 recovery.

The UKC3 will encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange between Clusters in order to maximise the benefits being delivered locally to create an impact on a national level.

"My colleagues and I will work with the public sector, academia and industry bodies to represent Clusters in national Cyber policy making and provide stakeholders with a single entity to engage the Cluster community," Richard said.

"This is an exciting and pivotal time for the Cyber industry and I encourage organisations to engage with us to drive growth in the sector."

The organisation's board is made up of Cyber Cluster leads from across the UK including: Richard Yorke (Cyber Cheltenham - CyNam) - as Chair of UKC3, Phil Jackman (Cyber North/North East Cyber Cluster) - Treasurer and Secretariat, Melanie Oldham (Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster) as Vice Chair and Stakeholder Management/Communications, Ciara Mitchell (ScotlandIS Cyber) leading on Ecosystem Development, Linda Smith (Midlands Cyber), leading on Innovation and John Davies (Cyber Wales/South Wales Cyber Cluster) leading on Skills Growth. In addition, an Advisory Group has been established with further Cluster representatives.