Waterstons backs CyberNorth strategic partnership in North East

Waterstons and CyberNorth have agreed a strategic partnership, adding to CyberNorth's network of backers as it expands its work across the North East.

The agreement brings together the regional cyber cluster organisation and the Durham-headquartered technology consultancy, which has cyber security operations. Both aim to strengthen support for skills development, business resilience and sector growth in the North East.

Strategic partnerships sit at the heart of CyberNorth's growth plans. The organisation works across the region's cyber security sector and has built links with businesses, colleges, universities and government departments as it seeks to raise the North East's profile as a UK cyber centre.

Waterstons employs more than 280 people and has offices in London, Scotland and Australia. Its Durham headquarters, it says, shows how a business can remain based in the North East while operating nationally and internationally, including on government accounts.

The deal also adds to the list of organisations aligned with CyberNorth, which already includes Accenture, Gateshead College and Sage. Those relationships are intended to widen its reach and sustain programmes across education, industry and the wider technology community.

Regional Focus

Waterstons is one of a small number of National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Resilience Auditors. The role places the company in a specialist group that assesses and improves cyber resilience standards at a time when cyber threats remain a concern for public and private sector organisations.

For CyberNorth, the partnership comes as it places greater emphasis on scale. It wants to expand activity in schools, colleges and universities, increase support for small and medium-sized businesses through workshops and guidance, and strengthen links between industry, academia and the public sector.

It also plans to expand its University and Student Ambassador programme across the region's five universities and increase CyberFirst activity to encourage more young people to pursue cyber-related careers. Other priorities include backing flagship initiatives such as CyberFest, the Cyber Awards, and wider community programmes, as well as work linked to the North East Cyber Innovation Centre.

Stewart Hogg, associate director at Waterstons, said, "CyberNorth plays a critical role in bringing together the region's cyber community, and we're proud to support them at such an important point in their journey. This partnership is more than sponsorship. It's about backing a shared vision for the North East as a thriving, nationally recognised cyber hub."

"By working together, we can help strengthen connections between industry, academia and the public sector, supporting North East cyber prominence while also inspiring the next generation of talent and opening up more accessible pathways into the sector."

Growth Plans

CyberNorth says it has supported hundreds of businesses and more than 2,000 professionals since its founding. It also works with sectors including fintech, space, maritime and defence, reflecting the spread of cyber demand across the regional economy.

According to the organisation, its links with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Business and Trade have helped raise the region's cyber security profile beyond the North East.

Jon Holden, chief executive of CyberNorth, said, "We are now focused on growth - growth in reach, in impact and in opportunity for the region. This strategic partnership with Waterstons means we can continue to build and scale the programmes that matter most, strengthen talent pipelines, and create a more inclusive and resilient cyber ecosystem for the North East."

"Importantly, this partnership gives us the stability to think long term. It means investing more deeply in young people, supporting SMEs more effectively and accelerating major initiatives like the North East Cyber Innovation Centre."

"Strategic partnerships like this are critical to enabling CyberNorth to continue its work and impact in the region. They help us support our growing industry and the businesses within it; without them, we would cease to exist. We are delighted to work with Waterstons to better the region and support their continued success."

The tie-up reflects a broader effort by regional cyber organisations to anchor more skills, commercial activity and collaboration outside London and the South East. In the North East, that includes building stronger pathways from education into jobs, helping smaller firms improve cyber practices, and creating a clearer identity for the region's specialist businesses.

Holden added, "In short, this partnership is a powerful statement of intent from both organisations - a shared commitment to champion opportunity, advance inclusion and unlock sustainable economic growth across the North East's cyber security sector."