Business News Round Up (17/03/2020

Manchester named fastest growing tech city in Europe

Manchester has been revealed as the fastest growing tech city in Europe in a new Tech Nation report, with an increase in investment of £48 million to £181 million from 2018 to 2018, an increase of 277%. The report also suggests that growth in the industry has outstripped any other in the UK. The sector contributed £149bn to the UK economy in 2018, accounting for 7.7% of UK gross value added. This is nearly six times greater than growth across the economy as a whole, which increased by 1.4%. As well as Manchester, Britain had four other cities in the European top 20: London, which ranked top in Europe, Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge, the report said.

https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/manchester-named-fastest-growing-tech-city-in-europe

Borders businesses get investment boost through digital hub

GB Technologies has announced it is developing a digital hub to provide fibre connectivity and improve efficiency for businesses in the borders. IT and Telecoms provider GB Technologies is investing in Tweed Horizons Business Centre near St Boswells to in a bid to improve digital infrastructure and eco-friendly power supply.

https://digit.fyi/borders-businesses-get-investment-boost-through-digital-hub/

Greater Manchester in biggest UK government full-fibre investment

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has announced it is partnering with Virgin Media Business to install a fibre optic broadband network across the city region. Support by £23.8 million from the Government’s Local Full Fibre Networks programme, Virgin Media Business will connect more than 180 public sites in Salford and Manchester will see their connectivity upgraded and a further 36 public sites will be connected through the innovative Tameside Cooperative, enhancing Greater Manchester’s position as a leading European digital city region.

https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/greater-manchester-in-biggest-uk-government-full-fibre-investment/

Motorola takes over IndigoVision in £30 million deal

US giant Motorola Solutions has acquired Edinburgh based security firm IndigoVision in a deal worth £30.4 million. The acquisition price of 405p per share represents a premium of approximately 129% to the closing price of 177p per IndigoVision Share on the last practicable date. The board of the Scottish company has recommended that shareholders should accept the offer. Investors holding 56.5% of the firm’s shares have already agreed to back the deal.

https://www.insider.co.uk/news/motorola-takes-over-indigovision-30-21704991