KEY TAKEAWAY
Cheltenham’s cultural heritage is a significant advantage for cyber success
There is consensus that the town’s diverse cultural landscape, and location at the heart of the Cotswolds, is a significant asset in the quest to cultivate a dynamic cyber sector.
This heritage strengthens Cheltenham’s ability to attract skilled talent, innovative businesses and international investment – putting the town on the map in new and exciting ways.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Golden
Valley isn’t just a cyber project - it is an economic catalyst
Golden Valley will cultivate the regional economy by creating a mixed-use development that combines commercial, residential and recreation and supports a wide range of skills, sectors and communities.
Existing commercial centres must be strengthened, not displaced, with Golden Valley acting as a catalyst for a wider Gloucestershire network of entrepreneurs, suppliers and institutions united under a shared vision.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Mission driven development – storytelling must support national security and digital resilience
Golden Valley needs a clear mission and a compelling story.
A strong narrative linking local development to national security and digital resilience is essential in communicating Golden Valley’s global significance.
This story must be owned and championed collectively, both locally and nationally, to support inward investment from Europe and North America.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A forward-thinking skills strategy is key
Skills are the critical enabler of cyber growth.
Global investors evaluate the strength of the skills pipeline and the coherence of pan-regional coordination. This reinforces the need case for satellite campuses, cross-university collaboration and early stage outreach to schools to create a place where careers can grow and flourish.
KEY TAKEAWAY Building a coalition of advocates will count for a lot
There’s work to do to successfully communicate the region’s long-established cyber capabilities and set out how Golden Valley will unleash new social and economic opportunities for residents and businesses across the county. We need to win hearts and minds locally, capture imaginations, build advocates, and show that there are benefits for all.
Support for existing initiatives, such as No Child Left Behind, is one example of how the Golden Valley can deliver genuine social value that gets to the heart of what the county and community needs. We must find these opportunities and tell the success stories.