Strengthening World Class Industries Across Hampshire and the South
Hampshire and the wider Southern region are home to a thriving network of world class industries, innovative businesses and leading research institutions.
Powering the South’s Future
Hampshire and the wider Southern region are home to a thriving network of world class industries, innovative businesses and leading research institutions. To strengthen these assets and support long term economic growth, targeted cluster development is bringing together the people, skills and ideas that drive innovation and unlock new opportunities.
Cluster activity in the region currently focuses on three high growth sectors that are central to economic competitiveness:
• Defence and Security
• Life Sciences
• Creative and Digital
These clusters help accelerate innovation, attract investment and support the development of a skilled workforce. They also ensure the region remains a nationally significant hub for advanced technology, research and enterprise.
Facilitating collaboration
We bring together businesses, universities, research organisations and innovators to encourage partnership working. By creating opportunities to share insights and explore challenges collectively, cluster activity helps accelerate product development, knowledge exchange and innovation across sectors.
If you are interested in collaborating or joining sector focused networks, please email economic.development@hants.gov.uk.
Contact us
Unlocking investment
We promote the region’s strengths to national and international audiences, helping to attract inward investment and support business growth. Cluster activity strengthens Hampshire and the Southern region’s position as a strategic location for expansion, research partnerships and new market development.
Contact us to discuss investment opportunities or to showcase your organisation within the region by emailing economic.development@hants.gov.uk
Contact usCurrent Cluster Activity
South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster (SCRDSC)
The South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster is well established, with more than 500 members including prime contractors, SMEs, academia and specialist suppliers. It supports networking, innovation, supply chain development and collaboration across aerospace, cyber security, maritime technologies, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Life Sciences South Innovation Cluster (LSSIC)
Work is well underway to develop a dedicated Life Sciences Cluster, bringing together expertise in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies, diagnostics and health innovation. Strong links with universities, research centres and clinical organisations will help drive new treatments, technologies, commercial and economic growth.
If you work in life sciences and would like to be involved in shaping the Life Sciences South Innovation Cluster, contact us by email
Creative and Digital Cluster
Hampshire is part of a fast-growing creative and digital sector, an area identified by Government as a key driver of economic growth.
We are working in partnership with the Southern Creative Catalyst to develop a Creative and Digital Cluster, supporting growth across the creative industries including advertising, marketing, architecture, design, gaming, TV and video production, visual effects, digital production and creative technology.
This cluster will strengthen the region’s creative ecosystem, expand skills pathways, and encourage collaboration between content creators and digital innovators.
If you would like to find out more and get involved in its development, contact us by email
Why Cluster Development Matters
Clusters help regions achieve faster growth and higher productivity by:
- Creating strong business networks and supply chains
- Encouraging innovation through shared expertise
- Supporting workforce development and specialist skills
- Boosting competitiveness nationally and internationally
- Helping businesses access new opportunities, markets and investment
- Strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and government
Get invovled
Businesses, researchers and partners are invited to take part in cluster programmes through networking events, workshops, innovation challenges and collaborative projects.
Contact usSuperCluster Collaboration
Alongside the development of dedicated sector clusters, a cross‑sector SuperCluster brings together representatives from the Defence and Security, Life Sciences and Creative Digital clusters.
The SuperCluster strengthens connectivity across these high‑growth industries by enabling members to share insights, identify shared challenges and explore opportunities that span multiple sectors. By creating a space where cluster leads collaborate regularly, the SuperCluster helps accelerate innovation, encourage joint problem‑solving and ensure that emerging technologies and ideas benefit from wider industry perspectives.
This collaborative approach supports:
- Cross‑sector innovation and knowledge exchange
- Joint exploration of growth opportunities and common challenges
- Stronger alignment between industry needs and skills development
- A more connected and resilient regional innovation ecosystem
- The SuperCluster plays a crucial role in ensuring the region’s economic strengths are not developed in isolation, but in ways that support wider strategic priorities and long‑term prosperity.
If you would like to know more or get involved with the SuperCluster, please contact us
Business Spotlight
“People stay because we look after them and they look after us.”
Joe Appleby, Managing Director
“Barnsgrove is a place to live well, connect deeply and be part of something meaningful.”
Jo Butler, co-owner
“The SCRDSC plays a highly effective role in connecting organisations, sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration.”
Neil Barton, Founding Director
“Being part of the SCRDSC helps us connect with like-minded businesses and explore sector opportunities.”
Roger Cerrato, Sales Director