Cyber security companies and universities from across the Midlands have participated in a 5 day delegation from the US, as companies from Maryland visited the Midlands to learn more about the business opportunities currently available between the two regions.
On Tuesday 6 June, Maryland business delegates were welcomed by companies and representatives from the Midlands Engine at Info Security Europe 2017, which attracted over 10,000 visitors. As part of the Info Security event, the Midlands Engine Cyber exhibition stand spoke of the large number of investment opportunities available in the Midlands’ cyber sector.
US and UK business figures then met again at two well attended ‘New Horizon’ business events on 7 at Stanbrook Abbey and on 8 June at QinetiQ in Malvern. During these two events, high profile business leaders from the Midlands and from Maryland were able to discuss the collaboration opportunities currently available between the two regions.
The US delegation’s visit between 5-9 June 2017, follows the success of last year’s successful cyber trade mission to Maryland. Delegates from Maryland will also join Midlands companies on 21 June to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, formalising the cyber sector’s long future business partnership with the USA.
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Marches LEP and Hereford Enterprise Zone are hosting the return mission from Baltimore, Maryland in partnership with the Department for International Trade and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. The delegation forms part of a programme of trade investment missions between the Midlands and US between 2016-18.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome the Maryland delegates to the Midlands, to highlight the world class businesses that we have located in the region. The series of events at Info Security 2017, Stanbrook Abbey and QinetiQ have all helped to showcase our high quality business infrastructure and the investment opportunities we have available. I look forward to meeting with the US delegation again later this month to formalise our growing business relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding.”
Linda Smith, Director of International Trade at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was great to be able to welcome business delegates from Maryland to the Midlands. Over the last few days we have been able to promote the large number of investment opportunities currently available in the Midlands’ world-leading cyber sector. These delegations are building long-lasting relationships between the Midlands and the US and I look forward to meeting with the commercial and academic businesses once again later this month, as we sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the US and UK.”
For further information on the Midlands Engine’s cyber sector visit the Midlands Engine Cyber website.
Businesses can also stay up to date with the Midlands Engine’s cyber sector by following @MidlandsCyber on Twitter using #MidlandsCyber
Pictured: The Cyber SME business workshop was one of several workshops to take place at the US-UK Cyber Collaboration event in Malvern.