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Teesside University has a world-renowned reputation for its expertise and commitment to the digital sector, and its innovative approach means it is continually striving to offer more to students. A new £40m Digital Life building is just part of those ambitious plans. With the support of industry-engaged alumni, the University is working hard to grow the sector through skills development and nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

James, who graduated from Teesside in 1998 with a BA (Hons) Business Studies, is the CEO of Leighton and has replaced the network's co-founder Charlie Hoult, who is stepping down after ten years.

'Looking ahead, I feel the North East tech sector holds immense potential,' said James, who rejoined Leighton, a software delivery business which builds high-performing teams and develops successful software applications, as CEO six years ago, having worked there when he was a student.

'Our region boasts a diverse range of technology businesses spanning various industries. We have established giants like Sage, SMEs like Visualsoft and start-ups like My Sales Coach.

‘We have talented people in the North East, and we want them to stay in the region. I feel our region has a set of shared values of community, innovation, ingenuity and pride. These values and a tenacious “get stuff done” mindset will enable us to foster collaboration among North East organisations for the betterment of our tech sector.’

Established In 2013, Dynamo is an industry-led membership organisation aiming to grow the North East tech economy.

Lauren Bradshaw, Deputy Director of Communications and Development at Teesside University, has also been appointed to the advisory board of Dynamo North East.

The Digital Life building is part of the University's ambitious campus masterplan, which has seen £280m invested to date to transform the campus and provide vibrant, modern facilities for students, staff and partners.

Estimated to be completed by Spring 2025, the £40m innovative research, teaching and learning facility for the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies is part of the University's commitment to a responsible and sustainable digital future. It incorporates smart labs, digital art studios, a multi-functional lecture theatre and events space.

Indie games developers based at Teesside University's enterprise hub networked with some of the industry's biggest names at a prestigious conference.

The six new games studios – Dink, Omniplay Games, Northrak, Dog Box Studios, Shadow Panda and Desk Burger – are part of the University's PowerUp indie games accelerator and attended the Develop conference in Brighton, the UK's biggest conference and expo for games developers.

Based in Teesside Launchpad, the University's on-campus business accelerator, the six studios benefit from mentoring from industry leaders, access to resources and workshops and subsidised studio space, hardware and software.

The programme aims to help the companies follow in the footsteps of illustrious Launchpad alumni such as Coatsink Studios, who were recently acquired by Thunderful Group in a £65m deal; SockMonkey Studios, who have recently been acquired by Canadian company Behaviour Interactive; and Radical Forge, who now employ more than 80 staff.