The last few months at CyberNorth have been a bit of a whirlwind.
Change is rarely easy, it’s often unsettling and can feel quite personal but it’s also usually the spark for something much better. We’ve been a little quieter than usual lately, but that’s because we’ve been heads-down, refocusing and building up some serious momentum. It actually reminds me of a classic David Carradine line from Kung Fu about the strength found in stillness; that really hits home for where we are right now.
We’ve had to say goodbye to some brilliant people who played a massive part in making CyberNorth what it is today. Their energy and belief in the North East’s tech scene are baked into our DNA. I want to say a huge thank you to Dan, Nic and Phil in particular. Your impact laid the groundwork for the next stage of our growth, and we’re building directly on that momentum. We’re incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done.
Despite the shifts in the team, I’ve been constantly reminded of just how resilient our organisation is. Even during this transition, we haven’t stopped delivering:
- Ethical Hacking for Girls: Working with Northumbria University to open doors for the next generation of cyber talent.
- Going Global: Taking a trade mission to Riyadh to show the world exactly what our regional ecosystem is capable of.
- Tech Connect: Keeping the conversation going through our sessions. Watch this space for more partnerships and trips to keep the sector connected and collaborative.
- Engaging with the student community: Delivering workshops, information and outreach sessions, careers events and online workshops.
- Member Networking: CyberSips and Senior Leaders Meet-ups.
This is the core of CyberNorth: we don’t just talk about making an impact; we actually get out there and do it.
Keeping Pace with the Industry
The cyber world doesn’t sit still, and neither can we. It’s an industry shaped by constant evolution, new threats, new tech, and a pace that can feel a bit relentless at times. What worked six months ago might not cut it tomorrow, and that’s just the nature of the beast.
But rather than fearing that uncertainty, we’re leaning into it. Change makes us sharper, more innovative, and ultimately better at what we do.
Ambition with a Purpose
Taking over as CEO is a proud moment for me, and I feel a real weight of responsibility to get this right. We have a massive opportunity now to scale up, deepen our roots, and make the North East a genuine powerhouse for cyber and emerging tech.
Looking ahead, my priorities are straightforward:
- Our Community: Making sure our members feel genuinely connected and supported.
- National Influence: Bringing the NCSC closer to our region so we’re leading national conversations, not just following them.
- True Collaboration: Making sure industry, academia, and the public sector are actually pulling in the same direction.
- Setting the Standard: We don’t just want to be the UK’s biggest regional cluster; we want to be the best.
This isn’t just about growth for the sake of a spreadsheet. It’s about creating high-quality jobs in cyber and AI, supporting innovation that solves actual problems, and ensuring our region is leading the way.
Powered by People
None of this works in a vacuum. We’re lucky to have partners like Sage, Accenture and Waterstons who truly “get it” and continue to invest in our future. We’re looking to bring even more businesses into the fold, people who see the potential in the North East and want to help us build something special.
What gives me the most confidence, though, is the team here. Helen, Thea, Emily and Sarah care deeply about this region, the responsibility we have to the sector, and creating an environment of opportunities for our members to grow their businesses, skills and talent pipeline. We’re focused, we’re aligned, and we’re ready for this next phase.
A Final Thought
This feels like an important moment. Not because everything is perfect, but because the potential is huge. We have the momentum, we have the belief, and we have a community that genuinely wants to see the North East succeed.
CyberNorth has always been about more than just bits and bytes; it’s about people and opportunity. I’m incredibly proud to be part of that journey.
Jon
CEO, CyberNorth
