GCHQ Director Inaugurates £5.8 Million Cyber and Digital Hub

A new cyber and digital facility, costing £5.8 million, has commenced operations in Gloucestershire. This establishment is intended to contribute to the region’s ambition of becoming “the cyber capital of the UK”. Named FuturePark, the centre is situated at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham. Its inauguration was conducted by Anne Keast-Butler, who serves as the director of the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ), an organization also located in the town. The university provides technology and computer-related courses to over 500 students, as well as to local businesses and community groups. Ms Keast-Butler stated: “If we are to meet the growing challenges of an uncertain world, it is essential that we collaborate with business and our universities, and that together we nurture the talent coming through our education system.” The university characterized FuturePark, which received funding from the Office for Students, as “a testament to the power of collaboration”. Dame Clare Marchant DBE, the University of Gloucestershire’s vice chancellor, expressed pride in the institution for elevating its standards. She added: “This new space marks our commitment to supporting Cheltenham’s vision of becoming the cyber capital of the UK and a centre of excellence for computing and digital technologies.” Ms Keast-Butler further commented that she envisioned the centre as a “beacon of opportunity”. She elaborated: “This space provides the chance to collaborate and take shared approaches to problem solving in technology.”