NICD Economic Impact Report 2026

Prepared by Ortus Economic Research Ltd, the NICD Economic Impact Report 2026 reveals that NICD’s activities are expected to contribute more than £1.2 billion in economic value over the coming decade while supporting over 2,000 jobs through a combination of direct project activity and inward investment attraction. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Turning Data into Economic Growth

Since its launch in 2018, NICD has worked with organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors to unlock the value of data. Through collaborative projects, technical expertise, skills development, and innovation support, the centre helps businesses and organisations overcome data challenges, develop new products and services, improve decision-making, and build lasting internal capability. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Based at The Catalyst on Newcastle Helix, NICD has become a key part of the region’s innovation ecosystem, connecting businesses with world-leading expertise from Newcastle University and helping organisations adopt emerging technologies such as data science and AI. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Over the past nine years, NICD has delivered more than 180 collaborative projects, transferring practical skills directly into workplaces and enabling organisations to build confidence and competence in using data to solve real-world challenges. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Impact at a Glance

The report highlights several headline achievements:

• Over 570 net additional jobs created through NICD-supported activity by 2026. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]
• £141 million in cumulative net additional Gross Value Added (GVA) generated for the UK economy between 2018 and 2026. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]
• A projected additional £517 million in GVA over the coming decade. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]
• Around 1,584 jobs attracted to the region through inward investment linked to NICD’s presence and influence. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]
• Up to 6,600 people upskilled through NICD programmes and projects. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]
• An estimated return of £27.20 in economic value for every £1 of public funding invested. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

These results underline the growing importance of data and AI capability as drivers of economic development and productivity.

The Catalyst Effect

The report also recognises NICD’s role as a strategic asset within The Catalyst, Newcastle’s landmark innovation building and home to a thriving community of businesses, researchers and innovators.

By bringing together expertise, facilities and collaborative opportunities under one roof, The Catalyst has helped create an environment that attracts investment and talent to the North East. According to the report, NICD’s presence has been an influential factor in attracting organisations to the region, including major investors seeking access to data science expertise and innovation partnerships. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

One notable example referenced in the report is Leonardo UK, whose leadership cited NICD as a key factor in choosing Newcastle as the location for its advanced technology and research activities. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Building Skills for the Future

At the heart of NICD’s mission is a commitment to developing data capability within organisations and communities. Rather than simply delivering solutions, the centre works alongside partners to transfer knowledge and practical skills, ensuring long-term benefits remain within organisations after projects conclude. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

This approach has enabled businesses, charities, public sector organisations and start-ups to become more confident in using data to innovate, improve productivity and create new opportunities for growth. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

As demand for AI and data expertise continues to increase across every sector, the report demonstrates the value of investing in skills, innovation and collaboration to support sustainable economic development.

Read the Full Report

The findings presented here are drawn from the independent NICD Economic Impact Report 2026, produced by Ortus Economic Research Ltd on behalf of the National Innovation Centre for Data. The full report provides detailed analysis of NICD’s impact on job creation, inward investment, skills development and economic growth. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

We encourage readers to explore the full report to learn more about how NICD, The Catalyst and their partners are helping shape a data-driven future for the North East and beyond. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]

Credit: Economic Impact Report 2026, commissioned by the National Innovation Centre for Data and prepared by Ortus Economic Research Ltd. [NICD-Econo…Report.pdf]