Since its launch in 2020, RDA Hunter’s Health and Medtech Industry Cluster (HMIC) has remained firmly committed to one principle: being genuinely industry‑led.

From the outset, the initiative has focused on delivering practical, targeted activities shaped directly by what local businesses said they needed most to grow, diversify, and confidently pursue new opportunities.

Five years on, this approach has helped cultivate a strong, connected and forward‑thinking community united by shared goals. As HMIC charts its next phase, a new series of small‑group industry roundtables has been introduced to reconnect with stakeholders, reflect on achievements, and gather authentic, on‑the‑ground insights into what should come next.

Designed to be relaxed and conversational, the roundtables created a space where industry representatives could speak openly about opportunities, challenges, and future aspirations.

Guided by a flexible agenda that covered HMIC’s origins, current progress, and emerging plans, discussions also drilled into specific growth pathways - what has worked well, what could scale further, and what new activities would empower more businesses to participate actively in the health and medtech sector.

A clear message emerged: local industry is eager to engage more deeply in the health sector, and there is strong appetite for better visibility of opportunities, clearer pathways into the ecosystem, and more mechanisms to foster collaboration.

HMIC is actively working to identify and shape these opportunities so that more local businesses can confidently step into the sector and succeed.

The roundtable series proved highly effective in sparking honest and constructive conversation. Industry leaders and business owners provided practical feedback that is already informing HMIC’s next steps. Participants valued having their voices heard in a collaborative environment, while RDA Hunter gained sharper insights into shifting priorities, capability gaps, and areas with the greatest potential for growth.

By carving out space for open dialogue, the roundtables have delivered actionable insights and stronger relationships - ensuring our HMIC remains closely aligned with the needs and ambitions of its stakeholders.

This collaborative, industry‑first approach continues to underpin the initiative’s impact, driving growth, diversification, and meaningful engagement across the Hunter’s health and medtech ecosystem.