1284 has been recognised as a key partner in CyberGrowth - the pioneering cyber security project led by the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster and De Montfort University Leicester.

CyberGrowth was one of just 21 national initiatives selected by Innovate UK under the Cyber Local programme to showcase how regional partnerships are strengthening the UK’s cyber ecosystem. 

A wrap-up event, held at Intercity in Birmingham, brought together leading innovators, businesses and academics focused on building national cyber resilience.

Presented by EMCSC founder and director Dr Ismini Vasileiou, CyberGrowth explored how government cyber ambitions could be turned into practical support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

It offered leadership training, expert consultancy and large-scale regional engagement, including February’s East Midlands Cyber Security Summit.

As one of the project’s key regional partners, 1284 Communications helped bridge the gap between policy and practice by supporting engagement, storytelling and collaboration across the East Midlands. 

Managing director George Oliver said 1284’s involvement was all about making cyber “accessible, relevant and achievable” for businesses that might otherwise find it intimidating.

“For many of the businesses we work with, cyber can feel complex and out of reach,” he said. “What CyberGrowth did brilliantly was break it down into something practical and relevant.”

Dr Vasileiou added that the showcase reflected growing recognition of place-based approaches to cyber innovation, with universities acting as vital links between policy, research and industry.

“CyberGrowth has shown what’s possible when businesses, academics and regional partners come together around a shared challenge,” she said. 

“We’ve been able to turn national cyber priorities into something tangible for SMEs - helping them build confidence, capability and resilience.

“Working with 1284 brought real strength to the CyberGrowth partnership. They helped us tell the story of the project in a way that connected with regional audiences and demonstrated the tangible impact of collaboration between academia, business and policy.”

The project’s inclusion in the Innovate UK showcase highlights the East Midlands’ emerging reputation as a leader in regional cyber development. 

Lessons from CyberGrowth are now feeding into Tech Local, a new four-year Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) programme focusing on skills, career pathways and inclusive access to cyber roles.