CyberNorth and Sage set sights on Innovation Zone to boost UK North East’s cyber capabilities

The partnership aims to expand the UK’s cyber ecosystem, with a proposed hub in Newcastle to support sector growth.

CyberNorth, the North East of England’s regional cyber security cluster, has partnered with Sage to support the development of the UK’s cyber sector. The collaboration includes plans for a dedicated North East Innovation Zone, a physical space designed to support growth and collaboration among technology businesses based in the UK.

Sage, a FTSE 100 company that provides HR, payroll, and accounting technology to small and mid-sized businesses, is headquartered in Newcastle and employs more than 1,200 people at its Cobalt Park site. CyberNorth supports over 100 businesses and 2,000 professionals in the region and has built cross-sector links with the FinTech, maritime, space, and defense industries.

The announcement comes at a time of national momentum around cyber policy, with the UK Government recently introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. The UK cyber sector currently employs around 67,300 people, generated approximately £13.2 billion in revenue last year, and contributed £7.8 billion in gross value added.

Danielle Phillips, CEO at CyberNorth, says: “The North East has a stellar roll call of companies blazing a trail across the cyber security landscape, however there is still further potential which remains untapped. Our plans are ambitious, but essential. This partnership with Sage really is a pivotal moment for CyberNorth and the cyber security community as a whole in the region.”

Creating a dedicated innovation space in the UK

The proposed Innovation Zone aims to offer a physical base for technology-focused businesses to develop and test new ideas. According to both partners, the space would support job creation and provide long-term investment opportunities in a fast-growing sector.

The collaboration has been backed by the newly elected North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, and aligns with the wider ambitions of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The region is home to two National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Academic Centers of Excellence at Newcastle University and Northumbria University—making it the only area outside London to host two such institutions.

Mads Howard, Manager in the CEO Office at Sage, says: “Sage is proud to work with CyberNorth and support its ambitions to showcase the North East as a Global Innovation Hub. The North East has a rich heritage of innovation, by investing in our local ecosystem we are helping to build a strong, more resilient digital economy for the future.”

Phillips adds: “This exciting partnership paves the way to further bolster our presence, and collaborative charge on a regional, national and international platform. We look forward to seizing all the exciting new opportunities this partnership will bring to the table.”