iSH

03/09/2026

Productivity, skills, procurement opportunities and collaboration were the focus of our latest Manufacturing Cluster meeting at Sellafield's Engineering Centre of Excellence.

Members heard from AMRC, Made Smarter and MTC about funded support available to help improve processes, efficiencies and growth, while Numech shared feedback on the value of being part of the iSH SCRIP programme.

Delegates also heard how Pirelli's investment in robotics and automation has improved productivity, efficiency and safety, while helping the business grow and increase its workforce by 150 people.

The meeting provided early visibility of upcoming MPO procurement opportunities, gathered feedback on manufacturers' skills needs, and resulted in manufacturers signing up for support programmes, identifying potential customers and partners, and building new relationships.

01/09/2026

Episode 15 of iSH Presents is now available.

Host Miranda Kirschel visits Eadon Consulting Ltd's Cockermouth office to speak with director Jim Hill about innovation, engineering expertise and collaboration across Cumbria's industrial sector.

The discussion explores Eadon's expansion into West Cumbria, the development of its REACH robotic deployment system, and how partnership working is helping deliver solutions for the nuclear sector and beyond.

🎧 Listen or watch now ⬇️
Spotify - https://loom.ly/haA6Hrc
Apple Podcasts - https://loom.ly/dS7Ax2A
YouTube - https://loom.ly/ihvYlxw

28/08/2026

A week on from breaking ground at the iSH Enterprise Campus, work is continuing on site at Leconfield Industrial Estate, Cleator Moor.

In this video, Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, and Bruce Burnett, Operations Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, share their thoughts on what the development means for the area and the opportunities it can create for businesses and communities across West Cumbria.

The £50 million project is designed to support jobs, innovation and growth, creating space for businesses to develop, collaborate and invest in the future.

27/08/2026

Automation and robotic integration are helping manufacturers improve productivity, increase capacity and build more resilient operations.

Join us on 2 September at the Engineering Centre of Excellence for the next iSH Manufacturing Cluster meeting, where we'll explore how these technologies are being adopted across the sector and the opportunities they present for manufacturers.

Register here: https://loom.ly/hP1eLZU

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

21/08/2026

Fantastic news!

Construction is underway on an Enterprise Campus based in Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor.

We have appointed Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Ltd to build Unit 9 and Unit 12.

The new units are expected to be available from late 2027.

The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) Enterprise Campus is an economic regeneration initiative led by Cumberland Council with funding and support from Government through Town Deal and Levelling Up programmes, and other strategic partners including the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd .

The development of the site forms part of the wider regeneration programme being delivered across West Cumbria by iSH focused upon delivering economic growth opportunities around robotics, manufacturing and digital.

Find out more: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2026/work-gets-underway-ish-enterprise-campus

21/08/2026

Work is now underway on the iSH Enterprise Campus in Cleator Moor - marking a major milestone in a £50 million regeneration project focused on driving jobs, innovation and growth in West Cumbria.

Morgan Sindall has begun construction on the first phase of development, which will see two industrial units built to support companies looking to grow, collaborate and invest in the area.

Delivered by Cumberland Council with support from the UK Government, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd and other strategic partners, the Enterprise Campus, on the Leconfield Industrial Estate, is being developed to create opportunities around robotics, manufacturing and digital industries.

Gary McKeating, Managing Director of iSH, said:

"We've spent a lot of time talking to businesses, partners and the local community about what we want to achieve here, so seeing people and machinery on site finally makes it very real."

The first units are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Read the full story here: https://loom.ly/sCzatbk

19/08/2026

Today, iSH brought a diverse range of nuclear and non-nuclear opportunities to its Cumbria Robotics Cluster, with strong interest from SMEs and large companies in working together.

The Farming Futures Fund was brought to life, offering up to £6m in grant funding for robotics solutions that could benefit Cumbria’s farming sector. For Cumbria’s robotics companies, securing this funding would deliver a double benefit for the local economy.

UKAEA and RAICo shared their live pipeline of robotics tenders requiring quick turnaround, alongside ACORN Round 2 — a funded programme incentivising industry and academia to work together to solve industrial challenges using robotics.

FIS 360 also shared the latest Game Changers opportunity, funding innovations to address waste management challenges across Sellafield and the wider NDA Estate.

Many of the businesses are already working together, and there was clear enthusiasm to engage with the opportunities presented. The iSH Robotics Cluster demonstrates the power of bringing capability together to help individual businesses grow while strengthening the local economy.

12/08/2026

🎙️ New episode out now!

Could your business help shape the future of young people in West Cumbria?

In the latest episode of iSH Presents, Hannah Pears, Skills Lead at iSH, speaks with William King, Managing Director of William King Construction and co-founder of Aspire Academy.

Aspire Academy is a partnership between William King Construction, Time to Change West Cumbria and West Cumbria Learning Centre, providing practical construction training for young people who may struggle in traditional education settings.

Hannah and William discuss how hands-on learning, employer involvement and positive role models can help young people build confidence, gain qualifications and create new pathways into apprenticeships, employment and long-term careers.

Listen or watch now ⬇️
YouTube - https://loom.ly/uY2If1o
Spotify - https://loom.ly/hb8SriA
Apple Podcasts - https://loom.ly/ud2JsY0

07/08/2026

As part of our commitment at iSH to providing pathways to opportunity for the supply chain, and maximising the impact from SMEs and other organisations working in collaboration, we've organised a range of events over the next few months including cluster meetings, training sessions and industry days across Cumbria and beyond.
📅 Cumbria Robotics Cluster Meeting – 19 August
📅 Manufacturing Cluster Meeting – 2 September
📅 Digital Cumbria Meeting – 2 September
📅 Bid Training – 23-24 September
📅 Rolls-Royce SMR Workshop – 30 September

Take a look through the slides for dates and locations. If you'd like to attend any of the events, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

31/07/2026

iSH CONNECT: New date announced

To ensure we bring our audience the best possible line-up of high-calibre speakers, iSH CONNECT will now take place on 11 February 2027.

Bringing together leaders from the nuclear and adjacent sectors, iSH CONNECT will explore the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the future of decommissioning, new nuclear build, defence and the wider industry.

We have already secured a strong line-up of speakers, including leaders from Sellafield Ltd, GBE-N and MoD. Stay tuned for further updates.