FutureEverything has closed after 31 years, bringing to an end one of Manchester’s early digital culture organisations.

Founded by Drew Hemment in 1995 as Futuresonic, the non-profit became known for connecting artists, technologists and public bodies around emerging digital technologies. Its work spanned early mobile and locative media, open data, smart cities and, later, artificial intelligence.

FutureEverything was closely tied to Manchester’s growth as a centre for digital business and research, and was at one stage described as one of the world’s top 10 idea festivals.

Long reach

Over three decades, the group developed projects that extended beyond the UK, from Manchester to cities including Singapore, Moscow and San Jose. It worked with organisations including the Singapore Government, the European Commission and Intel.

Among its best-known projects was Mobile Connections 2004, which it described as the world’s first major cultural event focused on mobile media. It also created Open Data Cities, one of Europe’s early open data initiatives, and GROW Observatory, which it described as the first citizens’ observatory operating at continental scale.

Its model centred on a festival-as-lab approach, using cultural events to test ideas and build longer-term programmes. That helped it move across the arts, research and public policy at a time when digital culture was still a specialist field.

In later years, the organisation increased its focus on AI. Under creative directors Irini Papadimitriou and Lucy Rose Sollitt, and executive director Chris Wright, it staged a series of international exhibitions on art and AI that reached 400,000 visitors, according to the organisation.

It also launched Nature Directed, a project intended to give nature legal decision-making power within the organisation. That initiative will continue after the closure.

Legacy work

A new archive and legacy site has been launched to document the organisation’s history and collect contributions from people in the technology and creative sectors. Hemment is also continuing related work through Doing AI Differently at The Alan Turing Institute, a global initiative that applies methods developed during FutureEverything’s run to AI development.

Hemment said the closure reflected both a shift in the place of digital culture and wider pressures on smaller organisations.

“FutureEverything was born when digital culture was a niche interest with a small international community of pioneering artists, technologists and institutions. Now, digital culture no longer exists as a discrete field – it’s everywhere, embedded in everything. The debates we championed, around AI, data, surveillance and climate, are now central to global discourse daily. In a way, it feels like the end of FutureEverything marks the moment a pioneering generation passes the baton to the mainstream it helped to create.

“The closure also reflects the structural precarity faced by small pioneering cultural organisations in a post-pandemic funding environment – influential far beyond their means,” said Drew Hemment, founder of FutureEverything.

The board said the organisation’s influence far exceeded its size. Its record includes support for artists and researchers whose work later fed into wider debates on technology, culture and society.

Annette Mees, chair of the board, pointed to that broader impact. “FutureEverything has had an outsized influence on digital culture, on Manchester, and on countless artists, technologists and communities around the world. We are proud of everything the team has achieved, and certain its legacy will continue to shape technological futures,” she said.

Arts Council England said the organisation had played an important role over three decades in connecting creative and research communities. That work helped establish new approaches to the relationship between art, technology and society.

Hemment said the organisation’s work would continue in other forms.

“I’m proud of the way FutureEverything’s team carried the organisation through its final chapter with dedication and care. Over three decades, it sparked major initiatives that continue to thrive, with people it nurtured going on to significant careers across the digital culture sector.

“FutureEverything has been the defining work of my life, and it belonged to everyone who shaped it. What we built together – the ideas, the community, the fields we helped open up – doesn’t close with the company. It carries forward into the future it helped to imagine,” he said.

Nexfibre has revealed plans for a major broadband upgrade with the multimillion investment in digital infrastructure in the area.

The wholesale full-fibre network provider acquired Netomnia earlier this year, and the deal will give Oxford residents faster access to full-fibre broadband.

This fibre network will be available to all internet service providers, ensuring local people have a wide choice of broadband services.

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Following approval, homes and businesses connected to Virgin Media O2’s network will be upgraded to full-fibre connectivity.

Rajiv Datta, Chief Executive Officer of Nexfibre, said:  “We are committed to delivering high-quality connectivity to everyone across the country.

“Full-fibre broadband is a crucial driver of economic growth, and our investment in Oxford will help deliver better access to education, jobs, and opportunities that can transform lives and uplift entire communities.”

The transaction as a whole is said to be unlocking £3.5bn of international investment, providing a boost to the UK economy, as well as ensuring millions of network upgrades take place across the country.

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As part of its broader investment in the area, Nexfibre also partners with UK Youth to offer free full-fibre broadband to youth centres across the UK to help tackle digital poverty.

Access to quality full-fibre broadband and better connectivity is critical to boosting the prospects of disadvantaged young people and stoking economic growth.

Up to seven youth centres in Oxford could benefit from the partnership.

Nexfibre’s network currently covers more than 2.6 million premises across the UK, and the combined network’s full-fibre footprint is expected to reach around 8 million premises by the end of 2027.

Autostructures UK, which is based in Telford, appointed administrators towards the end of March.

It worked as a supplier for JCB for 30 years, providing over 22,000 chassis frames and helping the company make the world’s fastest tractor.

They helped design and manufacture specialised wheel components for its Fastrac model, which can reach a peak speed of 153.771mph.

Autostructures UK worked as a supplier for JCB (Image: Getty Images)

Companies House states it was incorporated on March 10, 1958, initially being known as Alexander Socket Screws Limited.

A notice on Autostructures UK’s website states: “Christopher Pole, Ryan Grant and Sam Birchall were appointed Joint Administrators of Moveero Ltd – in Administration (the ‘Company’) on 25 March 2026. 

“The affairs, business and property of the Companies are being managed by the Joint Administrators. 

“Christopher Pole, Ryan Grant and Sam Birchall are authorised to act as insolvency practitioners by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.” 

Why has Autostructures UK gone into administration?

Moveero Ltd is the parent company of Autostructures UK, which manufactures construction vehicles, as well as wheels, rims and hubs for farming.

Administrators Interpath shared that the Moveero group continues to operate profitably, with the rest of the group’s businesses in the US and Denmark not affected by the administration in the UK.

It explained that the business based in the UK had faced major operational challenges due to a weakened off‑highway market, downward pricing pressure and competition from rivals.

In a statement, Interpath said: “As a result of these ongoing challenges, the directors of the businesses have taken steps to protect the interests of creditors by appointing administrators.

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“This will allow the UK businesses to continue trading while buyers for the businesses and their assets are pursued, with all staff retained during this period.”

David Geraghty, CEO of Moveero, said: “Against a difficult economic backdrop, we have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to improve the financial performance of the UK business.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our brilliant team and also the support of our customers who have provided us with funding in recent days which has given us the additional time we need to continue to explore the options available.”

Have you noticed an increased number of businesses closing or going into administration in your area this year? Let us know in the comments.