Mike Musson T: 0121 380 3628
ICT Cluster Manager [email protected]
Lynne Wroe T: 0121 569 0667
Regional ICT Co-Ordinator [email protected]
Pat Costello T: 01902 321829
ICT Cluster Innovation Manager [email protected]
Carolyn Hall T: 01926 490239
ICT Cluster European Advisor [email protected]
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West Midlands ICT Hub
T: 0121 260 6189
[email protected]
Mike Musson
ICT Cluster Manager
T: 0121 380 3628
[email protected]
Lynne Wroe
Regional ICT Co-ordinator
T: 0121 569 0667
T: 02476 496217
[email protected]
Pat Costello
ICT Cluster Innovation Manager
T: 01902 321829
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The COG, as champion of the region's ICT industry, welcomes interaction from both businesses and public sector organisations. To promote the work of the COG information on its the activities, projects commissioned and the performance of the cluster will be published on a regular basis on this website. The Cluster also produces an e-Newsletter which is designed to benefit ICT businesses through disseminating best practice, information on services and funding together with market intelligence etc.
Getting Involved
There are a number of ways in which you can get involved in the creation of a strong ICT cluster in the Midlands:
- Suggest a New Project: Suggestions for innovative, forward thinking projects to meet the business requirements of the strategy framework are welcomed. If you have an idea, then get in touch
- Joining an Existing Project: Many projects operate a membership scheme (eg WMita, iCentrum). If a project is already operating in an area of interest to you then join it now and participate in its activities
- Attending Events: Most projects run events and these events are usually open to members and non-members. Go along, find out more about the project and network with other local ICT organisations
- Partnering: If you have a project you want to bid on, look for a local partner to bid with and fill vital skill or credibility gaps
- Use Local Suppliers: Look for local ICT suppliers for your own ICT needs
- Sharing Knowledge: Let others know what you know and what you can do. Efficient markets need open information
- Sharing Data: If you have your own information about ICT supply and demand in the region, share it. We need to build a co-operative cluster, not one that jealously protects information
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.
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
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