Surge in new tech company launches in the region
The number of new tech companies starting life in the region has leapt to a new high as the sector shrugs off economic uncertainty. There were 1,213 new tech incorporations in the East of England during the third quarter, up 40 per cent on the period a year ago and seven pc higher than the previous three months according to an analysis by RSM UK. Laragh Jeanroy, office managing partner in Cambridge at RSM UK, said: “The East of England is a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, so it is encouraging to see that the region is continuing to see growth in tech incorporations. While this growth is likely to continue in the short term, driven by strong academic foundations, supportive infrastructure and sector specialisations in AI, deep tech, digital and enterprise software, agri-tech and cyber security, sustained success will require strategic investment, talent development, and political and economic stability.”
Ben Bilsland, partner and head of technology industry at RSM UK, added: “As we approach the Autumn Budget, all eyes will be on the Chancellor to unveil growth-friendly tax incentives for businesses and to protect the R&D tax scheme, which is a crucial pillar to support innovation and development.” The upturn in the region followed a national trend; total UK tech starts rose by 36 pc to15,470 compared to a year ago.
Businesses can now book conferences, meetings and events at the Ray Dolby Centre through Meet Cambridge, the city’s official conference and events bureau. The centre, the new home of the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory, officially opened in May in the Cambridge West Innovation District. Purpose-built as a collaborative research hub, it combines cutting-edge labs with lecture theatres and adaptable event spaces and restaurant with panoramic views. Andrew Bell, head of Meet Cambridge, said: “The Ray Dolby Centre is a symbol of what Cambridge represents – a place where the brightest minds come together to solve the world’s greatest challenges. This is exactly why Cambridge remains a globally-recognised destination and why we are thrilled to offer this incredible venue exclusively as part of our free venue-finding offering.”
£500 million investment in Oxford-Cambridge corridor set to create ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’
The government is to make a £500 million investment to help turn the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor into Europe’s ‘Silicon Valley’. An announcement last week held out the prospect of ‘thousands of new jobs, affordable homes and more opportunities’ from the package which is set to cement the area’s status as a ‘global innovation hub’. Up to £400 million of initial government funding will kickstart development in Cambridge which will include infrastructure and business expansion. In Oxford the Cowley Branch railway line will reopen with two new stations. The investments follow the government’s commitment to deliver East West Rail, linking Oxford and Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Bedford and beyond. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Oxford and Cambridge are home to the two of the best universities in the world, two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world, and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology. Yet thanks to years of underinvestment, they still lack the public transport, affordable housing, and infrastructure they need. That changes under this government.”
Flag drops on first unit at Snetterton Innovation Park
Work has started on the first unit at the new Snetterton Innovation Park next to the race circuit near Thetford in Norfolk. The new two-storey bespoke hq for Ansible Motion, a driving simulator specialist which is moving from nearby Hethel, will be the park’s first tenant when it opens in October 2026. A ceremonial launch was hosted by Norwich-based Pentaco Contruction which has been appointed as principal contractor for the build by MSV, which operates Snetterton. In all, the site has permission for Ansible Motion’s 2 950 sq m simulation centre and outline permission for a further 27,500 sq m of space. The consent includes a 125 bedroom hotel and café restaurant, an innovation centre for start-ups and flexible commercial units and eight further units for racing teams and motorsport-related tenants. Architects Feilden+Mawson Group designed the Ansible Motion building and the masterplan for the park. MotorSport Vision (MSV) chief executive Jonathan Palmer said: “Snetterton is already one of the UK’s busiest race circuits, but this development will transform it into a thriving hub for race teams, motorsport businesses and advanced engineering firms. The circuit has a very exciting future, and the Snetterton Innovation Park will offer a powerful boost to the local economy.”
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Sharp rise in VC investment reflects ‘strong’ investor confidence
Businesses in the East raised £785.1 million in the third quarter of 2025, more than double the £389.5 million raised in the previous three months. The upturn was driven partly by a £370 million investment for Essex-based Rapyd Financial Network, a digital fintech business. Cambridge-based defence specialist Cambridge Aerospace and materials startup Cusp AI also each secured £75 million in funding. But overall deal volumes fell in the region, with venture capital involved in 23 transactions from July to October, compared to 30 in the previous quarter. Joe Faulkner (right), East Anglia office senior partner at KPMG UK, said: “The region’s strength this quarter lay in software, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, which together accounted for much of the investment total. It’s clear that investor confidence remains strong in high-value tech and digital finance ventures, branching beyond the region’s long-established life sciences expertise.” After the slowest quarter in five years in the second quarter, nationally, investment jumped to £4.6 billion across 594 deals, up from £2.6 billion across 435 deals previously.
Firms taking action to improve social mobility as skills gap widens
Improving social mobility is a priority for almost all mid-sized businesses in East Anglia and over half have employee-led ‘advocacy groups’, according to a BDO economic engine survey. But it also found that 40 per cent of firms are having difficulty finding candidates with the right skills. Many firms are using mentoring programmes to improve social mobility and have work experience or ‘insight programmes’ Almost a third of businesses are using the apprenticeship levy to improve social mobility. Peter Harrup, regional managing partner at BDO in East Anglia, said: “Social mobility matters to the East Anglia business community and mid-sized businesses are taking real action to improve access to career opportunities through a range of initiatives – from mentoring programmes to leveraging the apprenticeship levy. Many of today’s leaders benefitted from similar opportunities and clearly feel a sense of duty to support the next generation. However…. it’s also about building a resilient workforce for the future and tackling the growing skills gap that’s threatening growth in the region.”
Housebuilder relocates to new office in Bury St Edmunds
Housebuilder Bloor Homes’ Eastern region has relocated to a newly-refurbished regional office in Bury St Edmunds. Less than a mile from its previous office in the town’s Skyliner Way, the company’s new Eastern regional office is at Horizon House in Fred Castle Way. It offers increased office space across three floors for its local workforce of more 50 office-based employees and construction professionals. Terry Tedder, regional managing director for Bloor Homes’ Eastern region, said: “… Having been based in Bury St Edmunds for many years, we recognised that this new space needed to enhance our operational capabilities and reflect modern working practices.” The firm’s regional team oversees development sites across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex.
Separately, work has started on 292 homes in the third stage of Springstead Village near Cambridge. It includes a mix of one and two-bed flats and two to four-bed houses along with two parks, allotments with a clubhouse, a local centre with shops and a community centre.The wider Springstead Village project involves 1,200 homes at Cherry Hinton on a 138-acre site which was originally part of Cambridge Airport. It involves a collaboration between housebuilder Bellway and the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, Latimer.
Law firm shortlisted for national ‘responsible business’ award
Bury St Edmund-based Greene & Greene Solicitors is one of three firms nationally to be shortlisted in the Responsible Business: Outstanding Firm – DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) category at the Chambers UK Awards 2025 (Winter Edition). The firm’s charity, social, environmental and wellbeing (CSEW) committee drives its responsible business approach through four dedicated subgroups: a wellbeing team promotes an inclusive, employee-led culture of mental health and work-life balance; an environmental subgroup leads its sustainability efforts; a charity subgroup champions long-term community investment through the Greene & Greene Foundation Fund, with staff actively involved in fundraising and outreach and a social subgroup fosters connection and inclusion across the firm through team-building and shared-interest activities. Martine Swaep, partner and chair of the CSEW Committee, said: “We’re genuinely proud to be recognised at a national level for the work our team has led. This nomination speaks to the strength of our culture and the belief that everyone here plays a part in building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future….”
Photo: Top row (l-r) Martine Swaep, partner and chair, Zoe Hodge, senior associate solicitor, 2nd row (l-r) Angharad Ellis Owen, senior associate barrister, Sally Whatley-Brown, senior associate solicitor.
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