Sugoi! Japanese multinational Fujitsu is staying keen on the UK tech scene with a £22 million investment to establish a new centre in North West England.
Fujitsu has been in the country for 40 years and – unlike some people – seems to like it here.
Announced during London Tech Week, Fujitsu is setting out the first phase of this investment with a new Centre for Cognitive and Advanced Technologies (C-CAT). The first projects are already underway.
Fujitsu says it is “determined to bring further innovation to the UK” and this news will see the creation of 200+ jobs over the next year.
Lord Grimstone, UK Government Minister for Investment, adds: “This project supports our shared ambition to maintain the UK’s status as a science and technology superpower and enhance our world-leading work in key areas such as AI and quantum computing for the modern digital and data-driven economy.”
Operating initially from Fujitsu’s offices in Manchester and drawing on its partnership and explainable AI work with the University of Manchester, the C-CAT will expand into a permanent campus. The C-CAT will be led by emerging technology expert Dr Keith Dear. The final location of C-CAT’s campus will be determined after an evaluation and announced in the autumn.
Following the establishment of the C-CAT, Fujitsu will set out details of the second phase of “growing its commitment to the UK” later this year with “more ambitious plans” into 2023.
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The centre will import emerging technology from Japan, and is focused on the commercialisation of research and partner collaboration. It will form a foundation to direct future investment.
The announcement follows the “strengthening” of the relationship between the UK and Japan since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in October 2020. The FTA enables “greater collaboration” in science and technology between the two countries.
The centre is great news for Manchester, which has been doing well of late.
Last month, a consortium unveiled a new digital security innovation proposition that aims to bring 1,000 jobs to the digital and cybersecurity sectors in Greater Manchester.
London-based online trading platform CMC Markets recently revealed an investment as it plans to unveil a tech hub in the city.
eWeek UK has also been checking out the local talent and published features on companies to watch in North West England; and tech and fintech firms in Manchester.
The Fujitsu development comes amidst various announcements from the government as it uses London Tech Week to get vocal.
The UK government has also unleashed a new health data strategy and a new Digital Skills Council.
