Jenny Clucas

Cluster Management Personal Experience

Dr Jenny ClucasChemicals Northwest29th September 2010

•Why have clusters?

•My industry and my cluster

•My experience as a cluster manager

•Looking forward…..

Content

• Sustainable growth of a sector/industry

• Create an environment of cooperation for a defined

sector and geography

• Champion the sector

• Catalyse opportunities

• Make connections ……

Why have clusters?

Chemical Manufacturing

Companies

Public Sector

Research Institutes

Universities

Engineering and analytical

Service companies

Professional and Business

Services

Environmental and Resource

Efficiency supportetc

etc

etc

Making Connections

My Industry - NW Chemicals• Over 650 companies

• £10.2 billion turnover

• Earns over £5 billion in exports

• Largest chemical region in UK

• Employs over 50,000 people directly

My cluster?• “Supporting & Promoting Industry”

• Private company limited by guarantee

• Public and private sector funding

• Membership organisation

• Team of 8 people

• Numerous links to regional and national organisations and other NW sectors

• 4 Strategic priorities:

Innovation Image

SkillsSustainableDevelopment

• Information provision• Website• Sector directory, • E-bulletin, • Quarterly newsletter

• Connecting people / organisations• Introductions• Networking• Events & master classes

• Project delivery

• Image promotion• PR• Schools programmes• Awards Dinner

• Lobbying

Some of what we do …….

• What I brought to the role

• So what was the reality?

• Key challenges

• What does the role need?

My experience as a Cluster Manager

Skills, attributes, experience…• Industry knowledge and experience• Gravitas• Manage company / people• Networking ability• Work with private & public sector• Independent & team player• Strategic & operational• Challenging• Robust• Project management• Manage diversity & range of stakeholders• ……• ……

Looking forward

• What else do Cluster Managers need?

• Developing & support the profession…

jenny.clucas@chemicalsnorthwest.org.uk

www.chemicalsnorthwest.org.uk

Thank you for your attention