Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s Digital Innovation Farm joined some of the region’s leading organisations at CyNam’s #EmPowerCyber event this week, part of Gloucestershire’s first-ever Tech Week, a celebration of innovation, skills, and opportunity in one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech regions.
Hosted at Oxstalls Sports Arena, the event brought together hundreds of students from across the county to explore careers in cyber and emerging technologies. Hartpury’s stand proved a popular attraction, offering an interactive demo showing how robotics, sensors, and data are transforming modern food production and the farms of the future.
“It was fantastic to see so many young people engaging with agri-tech and realising that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,” said Neave Anderson,Digital Innovation Farm & Agri-Tech Project & Industry Engagement Manager. “Technology is relevant to every industry, and agriculture is one of the most exciting frontiers for digital transformation.”
The #EmPowerCyber event formed part of CyNam’s Secure Futures Series, which inspires young people to consider careers in cyber and STEM. Sessions included a Girls Only strand empowering future women in tech, a SEND-focused session designed to build confidence and curiosity, and an Open to All session celebrating inclusivity and opportunity.
Hartpury’s participation underlines its ongoing mission to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology, helping to equip the next generation of farmers and food producers with the digital skills needed to build a sustainable, resilient future.
Speaking at the launch of Gloucestershire Tech Week, Cllr Julian Tooke, cabinet member for business, economic development, planning and infrastructure at the county council, highlighted the county’s growing global influence in the tech sector: “Something very exciting is happening in Gloucestershire now. Our cyber cluster is getting bigger and bigger, and the development of Golden Valley will supercharge further expansion. The numbers are truly impressive. Golden Valley is a £1bn employment-led technology cluster. It will create over 1m sq ft of commercial space, 3,700 homes and 12,000 new jobs. Golden Valley will help tackle the national digital skills gap with its skills and talent hub. By backing cyber in Gloucestershire, we are backing a winning horse.”
Hartpury’s involvement in Tech Week reflects the institution’s commitment to supporting Gloucestershire’s reputation as a national hub for innovation, aligning agricultural development with cutting-edge technology, data science, and sustainability.
