Member Article

Tech Is The Next Industrial Revolution For Mcr

Scott Fletcher, chairman of IT company, ANS Group predicted that Manchester will secure its position one of the top five European destinations for technology startups over the few years.

Interviewed by Nigel Collier, Managing Director at Skylab, Scott, 41, talked about the transformation of Manchester into a world-leading technology hub, at The Manchester Grammar School’s (MGS) Business Class series. The classes, which have been organised as part of the School’s Quincentenary year, see entrepreneurs talk about their career and experiences in business in front of an audience made up of old Mancunians, the city’s business community and pupils.

After enrolling on a Youth Training Scheme, Scott started his business career at the age of 22. He has since grown his biggest business ANS Group to over 250 staff based in Manchester and London to a turnover of circa £50million. He sits on the steering group for the recently announced Forward project in the Northern Quarter, a scheme which secured £4million of Government funding in the last budget and has attracted significant private sector investment to support and help accelerate tech start-ups.

Speaking about Manchester’s technology sector, Scott, who also sits on the Greater Manchester Local Economic Partnership board, said: “There is a huge amount of technological knowledge and expertise in the city, but to capitalise on this, it’s crucial that we create a hub were organisations can communicate, share ideas and thrive.”

“We need to equip young people with the skills and give them the opportunities such as enrolling on apprenticeships, similar to the in-house scheme we have created at ANS, where we now have more than 60 apprentices.”

Nigel Collier, an Old Mancunian and managing director at Manchester-based digital agency, Skylab, said: “The internet age is the most important period in human history and will set the digital agenda for many, many years to come. Manchester has led the world in the past and has a great opportunity to lead the digital agenda in the future but if we don’t create a commercially-focused framework for digital education, digital jobs and support for digital companies right now, we are going to miss the opportunity for generations to come.”

An established entrepreneur, Scott has since invested in other companies including software development company, Godel Technologies, which employees over 200 people in Belarus and Manchester and Westlab Salts, which manufactures bath salts. Westlab has secured contracts with major retailers in the UK, is doubling its turnover every 6 months and is in advanced discussions to start exporting to the USA.

Scott continued: “Regardless of the business, the principles remain the same. I would advise pupils that if they find an idea they think will work, then just do it and don’t take no for an answer. If you fail, you’ll still learn.”

Added Dr. Martin Boulton, Highmaster at MGS: “I would like to extend my thanks to Scott for being part of this seminar. He was inspiring, informative and above all, incredibly passionate about the future of Manchester’s technology sector and the link between education and businesses.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Healey .