HOST Salford delivers £22.56m in social value

A leading innovation hub in Salford has delivered a transformational £22.56m in social value in two years – upskilling thousands of people, creating hundreds of jobs and helping businesses increase turnover.  
 
HOST Salford, the Home of Skills & Technology based at MediaCity, has generated a £4.58 social return on investment (SROI) for every £1 invested between April 2023 and March 2025. 
 
The hub, which has played a major role in establishing Greater Manchester as a digital region, has upskilled more than 5,820 people, enabling them to go on to digital careers or set up their own businesses.  

Over the past two years, HOST Salford has supported 392 businesses with everything from offering affordable, subsidised workspaces and accelerator schemes, to providing innovation labs so they could grow and develop new products.  
 
Early data shows businesses that have taken part in HOST Salford programmes have had their turnover increase by up to 50 per cent.

The initiatives, fuelled by investment from Salford City Council and operated by professional technology skills provider IN4 Group, have collectively created 269 jobs in the Salford city region.  
 
HOST Salford received funding including £846,900 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which aims to create regional prosperity by investing in communities, businesses, people and skills.  
 
Its third floor was transformed into the state-of-the-art Gametech Campus, which has hosted 174 events and benefited 3,265 people over the two years.   
 
Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said the figures in HOST Salford’s Social and Economic Value Impact Report now provide a blueprint for how other communities across the UK can build digital prosperity.

He said: “These are more than impressive numbers – they’re proof that inclusive innovation works. HOST Salford is a catalyst for opportunity, equity and long-term prosperity. We’ve built a blueprint that shows how communities across the UK can unlock digital potential.   
 
“Salford, with its 249,000 residents and growing reputation as a digital powerhouse within Greater Manchester, is now firmly connected to a thriving pipeline of tech careers, investment and enterprise. HOST Salford continues to scale a pioneering and inclusive ecosystem – one that’s designed to bridge the digital skills gap, empower talent from all backgrounds and drive economic growth across the North.”

The social return on investment (SROI) figure was independently evaluated by Social Value Business and aligned with the Social Value Quality Mark (SVQM) framework.  
 
Programmes run by HOST Salford, which have contributed to the figures, include FreelanceHER 100, an accelerator programme designed to support women and underrepresented groups to overcome barriers to self-employment, and Gametech365, which supports startups in gaming and immersive tech to drive commercial growth.  
 
HOST Salford’s Modern Worker for the Modern Workplace programme has upskilled senior leaders in industrial, professional services and public sector organisations in AI and digital transformation, while CyberFirst MEGA Hubs and Skills City are designed to fast-track young talent into tech careers.   
 
Its Play AI initiative upskills early career graduates and apprentices with the latest AI qualifications while nurturing joy and confidence with tech.   

Commenting on the report’s release, Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: "HOST Salford is a clear example of what happens when we invest in people, places and the technologies shaping our future.  
 
“Salford is leading the way in digital transformation, creating a more inclusive and resilient economy and setting a benchmark for others to follow.  
 
“Through our work with IN4 Group, we’re strengthening Salford’s reputation as a national leader in tech while making sure opportunities reach every corner of our community. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and even more excited for what lies ahead.” 

To view the full report, visit the HOST Salford website.