Clusters are defined as  groups of businesses which can have vertical and horizontal linkages with the emphasis on the development of cooperation among firms, with the objective of achieving synergy.

The objective of business clusters is to grow regional industries to exploit attractive markets where the region has existing or potential strengths. Clusters encourage businesses to work together to achieve this. 

The Cluster approach is at the heart of the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s purpose and is used across all sectors of the economy to help guide much of the agencies activity.  The intention is that it is an effective way of targeting and prioritising effort and investment to achieve agreed strategic aims.  These aims are laid out and linked to the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) .