Industrial cybersecurity leader Tekgem has expanded its office space at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) to support its ongoing growth and commitment to developing new talent.
The move comes as the County Durham firm welcomes its third cohort of apprentices, with 12 recruits joining their ranks. This expansion, doubling its current footprint on site, reflects the company’s dedication to fostering innovation and talent within the cybersecurity sector, particularly as it aims to grow its workforce fivefold by 2028.
Tekgem is based at NETPark, a premier UK science and technology park and North East England's only dedicated science park. The park benefits from state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment that encourages innovation. NETPark is home to a dynamic community of businesses, researchers, and academics, offering a fertile ground for Tekgem’s ambitions. The park's recent developments, including expanding office spaces, have provided Tekgem with the infrastructure needed to scale up and enhance its apprenticeship programs.
The company’s decision to expand at NETPark aligns with its broader innovation and growth goals. As Tekgem continues to secure critical national infrastructure and expand its global footprint, the enhanced facilities at NETPark will play a crucial role in supporting these efforts. This expansion is about growing physical space, increasing the company’s capabilities and workforce, and impacting the cybersecurity industry. On top of their expansion at NETPark, Tekgem have also taken on space in the United Arab Emirates, further highlighting the companies global ambition.
Tekgem's apprenticeship programme is a vital part of its strategy to bridge the skills gap in industrial cybersecurity. The new apprentices will be trained at the cutting edge of cybersecurity technologies, contributing to Tekgem’s mission to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. This third cohort follows the success of previous apprenticeships, underlining Tekgem’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Ian Gemski, Founder and CEO of Tekgem commented "We are delighted to have secured further office space at NETPark, as we continue to execute our scale up strategy.
Since moving onto the park in 2020, with a small office accommodating 4 members of staff, we have been able to move into bigger offices at each stage of our growth.
This is our fourth move on the park, starting out in Discovery 1, then into Plexus and now Explorer 2, we now have space to accommodate 50 employees. Having this flexibility has been so important to our growth, without having to move off the park.
We are proud to provide high-tech career opportunities for local young people here in the North East, and our degree level apprenticeship academy is testament to that.
In addition, we have also secured 3 software engineer interns from Durham University thanks to the strong links on the park, as we partner with them on adding new innovative technologies to our cyber security software platforms."
Sara Williams, NETPark Manager, said “It is fantastic to see Tekgem growing, not only in physical space here at NETPark but also in numbers with their latest cohort of apprentices and also interns. The ecosystem here at NETPark lends itself to nurturing talent and ambition so it's great to see our businesses supporting the skills agenda for the next generation of employees.”
Tekgem’s expansion at NETPark is a testament to its strong growth trajectory and commitment to developing talent in the North East. With the addition of 12 new apprentices, Tekgem is well-positioned to continue its leadership in industrial cybersecurity while contributing to the regional economy and the broader tech industry.
