About UsThe West Midlands ICT Cluster represents the interests of the region's ICT business community together with those organisations which can provide a range of support services to the ICT sector./about-us/cog-structure/2010-05-02T22:57:14ZJoomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content ManagementCOG Membership and structure2009-01-07T10:41:57Z2009-01-07T10:41:57Z/about-us/cog-structure/cog-membership-and-structure<p>Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the Regional Development Agency, is committed to promoting the successful development of the businesses within the region's ICT cluster.</p><p> In order to achieve this objective, AWM has initiated a programme whereby a combination of private and public sector organisations are collaborating to assist AWM in delivering this vision. The central body of the ICT cluster empowered by AWM to oversee and direct the delivery of the region's ICT strategy is the Cluster Opportunities Group (COG). This group is industry led, having a majority of private sector members supported by several key public sector partners. The chair and deputy chair of the COG are both drawn from the private sector members.</p><p>The COG is resourced by an Executive Team led by an AWM Cluster Manager together with a representative from three other key partner organisations in the West Midlands - the Learning and Skills Council, Business Link and West Midlands Higher Education Association (WMHEA). The COG is responsible for drawing up an annual strategy on behalf of the ICT cluster. This strategy reflects the issues and opportunities confronting the cluster's constituent businesses and forms the basis of the Business Needs Analysis that is posted both on AWM's and ICT Cluster website. Organisations are invited to discuss ideas that they believe will meet the issues outlined in the Business Needs Analysis, with members of the Executive Team, and submit proposals for funding. More information on the COG, its role and membership can be found in the detailed COG Terms of Reference located in the Document Library</p><p> </p><p>Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the Regional Development Agency, is committed to promoting the successful development of the businesses within the region's ICT cluster.</p><p> In order to achieve this objective, AWM has initiated a programme whereby a combination of private and public sector organisations are collaborating to assist AWM in delivering this vision. The central body of the ICT cluster empowered by AWM to oversee and direct the delivery of the region's ICT strategy is the Cluster Opportunities Group (COG). This group is industry led, having a majority of private sector members supported by several key public sector partners. The chair and deputy chair of the COG are both drawn from the private sector members.</p><p>The COG is resourced by an Executive Team led by an AWM Cluster Manager together with a representative from three other key partner organisations in the West Midlands - the Learning and Skills Council, Business Link and West Midlands Higher Education Association (WMHEA). The COG is responsible for drawing up an annual strategy on behalf of the ICT cluster. This strategy reflects the issues and opportunities confronting the cluster's constituent businesses and forms the basis of the Business Needs Analysis that is posted both on AWM's and ICT Cluster website. Organisations are invited to discuss ideas that they believe will meet the issues outlined in the Business Needs Analysis, with members of the Executive Team, and submit proposals for funding. More information on the COG, its role and membership can be found in the detailed COG Terms of Reference located in the Document Library</p><p> </p>