I grew up in Cumbria and deeply love the Lake District (who doesn’t?). I worked my teenage years, like most kids here, in the hospitality and tourism industries but at 19, I took my hard-earned pennies and aspirations and moved away; I simply didn’t feel there were diverse or exciting enough job opportunities locally. After living in London for eight years, I’ve spent the last two and a half travelling the world and working remotely as a digital nomad (person with laptop and itchy feet). Now that I’m back in the UK and looking to lay roots, London again seems like the obvious choice for someone eager to work at the vanguard of digital innovation and creativity. But why? Why not Cumbria?

On Friday 21 June I went to my first LA23NET – the Alternative Futures ‘anti-conference’. As this uplifting afternoon showed me…

Cumbria has all the ingredients to become ‘a test bed of innovation’…

…the next silicon roundabout—Lake District style! The day was all about big, modern, impactful ideas. I’m talking technology, sustainability, creativity, digital, community, innovation, excellence, leadership… and the future of Cumbria.

The line-up of speakers was impressive, with eye-openers coming from: Phil Swan who is the Digital Strategy Lead and Chief Information Officer for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liam McAleese who is Strategy Lead for Lake District National Park, George Hall of global mapping company What3Words, Jag Virdie of inspirational Conker Living, Julian Turner of futuristic automotive company Westfield, Lou Kneath of animation powerhouse +3k Animation, Paul Helm of Virtual Reality company LA12 and event instigator Rich Stevens of Design Real UK. A gin treasure hunt, Porsche 356 test drives, and divine sweet treats from Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou topped off this futuristic funfest.

With our world-heritage status and inspirational setting, a vibrant creative and cultural scene thrives from the wheels set in motion by Ruskin, Wordsworth and Potter. Today the landscape belies its other assets; high performing universities (Lancaster University is ranked 6th in the UK and in the top 150 in the world) and The University of Cumbria is making waves too, big industry such as BAE, Sellafield and GSK,  strong transport links via the M6, West Coast Mainline and now a new airport in Carlisle, Cumbria already has so much to celebrate and build on.

As the day unfolded though, it became apparent that whilst there are already some incredible companies, trailblazing projects and like-minded leaders out there, they’re scattered, and the county is missing a cohesive and collaborative digital strategy. A strategy to develop much needed alternative industries that will tread lightly and sustainably on our cherished landscape. Future-focused industries that will attract investment into the area and nurture and retain local talent.

‘The future’s already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.’

– Liam McAleese quoting William Gibson

In his impassioned talk, experience designer and self-described ‘ranting dad’, Rich Stevens spoke of his own young children and his hopes for the next generation; that they’ll be able to stay in the area and enjoy all that our world-class landscape has to offer, without the current trade-off between job opportunity and living in a beautiful rural area. He asked the audience, ‘If there were no obstacles, what would digital excellence in this area look like? What does amazing look like?’ That’s worth thinking about.

It’s easy to feel intimidated by the pace of change in technology, or simply tell ourselves that the real game-changing developments are still just a distant sci-fi future (they really aren’t) but whether we’re prepared for it or not, change is coming. Depending on where you are, it’s already here. And rather than fear it, Alternative Futures reminded us of the huge opportunity that these transformative times present. The opportunity to lead not just follow.

Technology itself is always neutral, it’s the human wisdom (or lack of!) in designing and applying it that determines its effects on an industry, a community, a society. With foresight, intelligence and empathy, an innovation explosion/drive in Cumbria could enable us to do our best human work. It can make us more effective, more informed, more connected, more secure, more liberated.

I’d really only popped back up to visit family, skim some stones, high-five a swan, and stock up on relish, but Friday’s event has set my mind racing and left me seriously considering whether my own digital future could be back in Cumbria. This is exciting as I’m not alone in my enthusiasm. Speaking to other attendees, it was clear we shared an optimism for what living and working in the Lakes could look like if we all take control of our digital destiny. Yes, the vision needs exploring, expanding, discussing and defining but the appetite is undoubtedly there. The seeds have been sown. Thank you Flock for planting them and for such an energising day, and to all those who contributed and came along.

Keep up to date with future LA23NET events through their mailing list. 

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