Digital Technology

SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS

Reading is recognised nationally as the UK’s leading and largest cluster of digital businesses outside of the capital with 56,300 digital technology specialists within a 25 mile radius.

The digital technology sector is one which dominates Berkshire’s local economy, estimated to contribute approximately £10bn in annual turnover to Britain’s entire tech economy, valued at a total of £161bn by The Financial Times.

Berkshire not only has the highest density of tech businesses (seven times the national average), but also the highest concentration of programmers and developers in the UK, making it a unique and attractive environment for the next generation of tech talent.

The sector is supported by a highly-skilled local workforce, well-placed to adapt to technological change and trained in specialisms such as data analytics, Cloud computing, data centres, cybersecurity, telecommunications and enterprise software.

HOME OF ICONIC TECH GIANTS

With a long history in digital technology, sizeable tech talent pool and exceptional transport links, Thames Valley Berkshire has become the number one location for a variety of global big-name brands.

The area is the proud home of major multinational tech giants such as Microsoft, Oracle and Thales Group, all choosing to station their regional HQs in Reading.

These iconic market leaders, plus others such as Vodafone and Hewlett-Packard have been based in Berkshire for over 40 years, cementing the area’s status as a world-class digital technology hub.

KEY COMPANIES

Discover some of Berkshire's leading companies within the digital tech field. 

STRONG START-UP CULTURE

There is a strong and ever-growing culture of entrepreneurialism within the area, evidenced by Reading having the most digital tech start-ups outside of London.

Berkshire also counts the third highest proportion of tech businesses that are classified as ‘high growth’ out of the UK’s top 10 tech clusters.

Welcoming 600 digital tech start-ups per year, ambition and innovation drive the sector. Black Swan, a cutting-edge data science start-up, established a workspace at Green Park in 2016 and MuleSoft, a New York Stock Exchange-listed software company, expanded its UK operations with the opening of a new office in Reading the following year.

CAREERS IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

There are numerous ways to progress in a digital technology career.

Sector-relevant Apprenticeships, qualifications and training can help you secure employment in the field.

You could become an IT engineer, train as a web designer or even work for global tech giant Microsoft!

Explore the live opportunities below.