Manchester has the potential to be one of the top digital cities of the world according to ANS Group founder Scott Fletcher MBE.
??Speaking at the 2014 Institute of Directors Conference Fletcher, who founded £100m cloud computing firm ANS Group in his Droylsden bedroom aged 22, told delegates:
"In my view we have the best universities in the world here in Greater Manchester, certainly the best in the country. And we have the best internet connectivity in the UK outside of London.
"Plus, we already have a huge base of businesses that are digital success stories. It is just joining it all up and getting the investments required."
Fletcher, who managed to keep his recent MBE secret from family, friends and colleagues for a month, discussed the challenges he faced before getting to where he is today.
"I think a business has to be a fun place to work. Investment is key if we are to compete globally and with the rest of the UK. We need to upskill our workforce, get them on a living wage not minimum wage. It does all come down to confidence. We have also got to start looking at outcomes rather than 9 to 5, and trust people to get on with it."