Building on the Success of Watchtower 1, the North West Aerospace Alliance Launches an Advanced Programme to Drive Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability in 2024/25
in partnership with:
Lancashire’s AEM Sector Set to Soar With New Business Support Programme, funded by Lancashire County Council
Watchtower Lancashire: Continuing a Legacy of Success
The original Watchtower programme, a £1 million initiative funded by LCC, provided invaluable support to Lancashire’s aerospace and advanced engineering industry, offering diagnostics, talent retention, innovation support, and growth opportunities. With an additional investment of £300k, Watchtower Lancashire builds upon this foundation, ensuring that Lancashire’s AEM businesses are equipped to thrive in an era of rapid technological change and increasing sustainability demands.
Brand New Pillars for Growth in 2024/25
Watchtower Lancashire introduces updated pillars tailored to address the evolving landscape of the AEM sector. The programme will focus on creating future-ready capabilities, ensuring cybersecurity resilience, and achieving sustainability goals. These core areas will drive the region’s SMEs, primary businesses, sector clusters, universities, and research institutions to new heights, positioning Lancashire as a leader in the UK’s AEM industry.
The new pillars include:
- Diversification/Innovation (Innoversification)
An enhanced version of the highly successful Diversification programme, this pillar will encourage businesses to explore new products, services, and market opportunities, fostering long-term growth through innovation. - Digital and Sustainability Pathfinder
This component will focus on helping businesses adopt digital technologies and sustainable practices, ensuring they remain competitive in the global marketplace while meeting the growing demands for environmentally responsible operations. - Growth Accelerator
Designed to fast-track the growth of AEM businesses, this pillar will provide the tools, support, and guidance needed to scale operations and capitalize on emerging market opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
How Watchtower Can Help You As A Lancashire Based Company And How If You Can Answer YES To Any Of The Following Questions You Could Be Involved In The Next Phase
YES my business is in the following Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Industries or supply chain to these industries:
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- Aerospace
- Auto Motive
- Nuclear
- Advanced Materials
- Computing & Electronics
- Other: i.e. Rail, Medical
YES my business would further benefit from tailored coordinated business advice and support to help diversify and find new contracts that fit our manufacturing capabilities nationally and internationally
YES my business would benefit from additional support to further understand market place opportunities to innovate and develop new products, processes and services and to connect with Lancashire Innovation Centres of excellence. For example, helping you developing new products or new ways of working identifying and quickly addressing the new opportunities being created by a changing landscape such as digital transformation?
YES my business can innovate but would benefit from help to further reduce costs at this critical time?
YES my business needs help to understand all of the elements of Lancashire’s Innovation Ecosystems that are available to support business goals and strategy?
YES my business needs support with a talent retention service to support businesses making redundancies and offer a match making service to those businesses recruiting
YES my business has the Capability and Technology to venture that extra mile into new Emerging Markets but may need assistance in doing so
YES my business is evolving towards the country’s Net Zero target but needs help to further innovate and become more sustainable and would benefit from assistance in meeting the necessary requirements
YES my business needs help understanding all of the elements of Lancashire’s Innovation Ecosystems that are available to support my business?
YES my business is already or I’m thinking further about horizon scanning in additional sectors such as Nuclear, Rail and Medical and would need further help to engage with the right level of business support & at the right phase.
YES my business would value support to help me get that ‘first foot through the door’ in an adjacent market supply chain?
YES my business would benefit from assistance & signposting in the right direction to access growth opportunities & relevant funding
YES my business is being impacted by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the cost- of-living crisis but I’m unsure of which direction to go next?
YES my business does need to make some changes and I’m considering the possibility of having to let some people go?
YES my business is under resourced and I’m actively seeking new people and skills?
YES my business has an opportunity to connect individuals at risk of redundancy, with companies that are recruiting in Lancashire’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors?
Ready to Join the Watchtower Lancashire Programme
Businesses in Lancashire’s AEM sector are encouraged to participate in Watchtower Lancashire, a 12-month programme designed to equip them with the tools, insights, and networks needed for sustained growth and success. By embracing innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability, participants will be well-positioned to lead in the future of UK manufacturing.
