FEATURE
will be digitised major initiatives like the University’s 3D printing hub PrintCity (see the feature on page 32), the Institute of Coding, advancements in augmented and virtual reality and the plans for a Screen School. All of these initiatives are catching the eye of the digital industries. Bason said: “We’re at the forefront. Autodesk, makers of many types of software, are really excited by PrintCity. Usually things like PrintCity happen in an engineering department. What Autodesk see is fashion meets architecture meets engineering meets art meets product design – and that in a way is the fourth industrial revolution. Autodesk is excited by that sort of approach and they have told us it is unique. “We also had someone come over from one of the New York universities and we’d looked to them as leaders in their field. He was hugely impressed by the openness and our whole approach and everything he saw.” Bason himself sits on the board of Manchester Digital, the independent trade organisation for the digital and technology industries, and he’s excited about the future pathways opening up in the city. He said: “The fact that we (Manchester) have devolved powers, that we have an elected mayor that is as dynamic as Andy Burnham and that he has taken this agenda on in a way that central government hasn’t, I think those are really, really important markers. I think the fact that we are aligned with (Andy’s) agenda and he is aligned with ours – and the City Council are very supportive of the Screen School – it becomes about economic policy in city. That feels like a very positive ecosystem.” Greater Manchester Combined Authority Lead Member for Economic strategy Sir Richard Leese said: “With more than 55,000 jobs generating around £3 billion a year, the creative and digital industries are one of the fastest growing sectors in the Greater Manchester economy. Manchester is Europe’s second largest creative, digital and media hub and the
Spring/Summer 2018
57