Launch of Innovation Advisory Council for Wales
30 Oct 2014 12:27 PM
The new Innovation Advisory Council for Wales - set up to advise the Welsh Government - officially launches this week when it holds its inaugural meeting on Friday October 31.
The Council, jointly chaired by Adam Price and Ian Menzies, consists of representatives from Government, Higher Education and Business who will monitor progress on delivering the objectives of Innovation Wales – the Welsh Government’s innovation strategy .
The role of the IACW is to advise the Welsh Government on a broad range of innovation matters to help grow and sustain Wales’ economy and improve the wealth and wellbeing of the people of Wales;
It will also advise and update the Welsh Government on emerging trends and developments, including identifying areas of existing strength and future opportunity using the ‘smart specialisation’ approach identified by the European Commission.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:
“The public sector can help create the right conditions to encourage innovation to flourish in Wales, but it is our people, academics and businesses that will be the agents for real change. This is reflected in the membership of IACW and I am delighted to welcome all the new members of the Council, which will have a key role to play in supporting our innovation agenda across Wales.”
Adam Price and Ian Menzies have been appointed chairs of the IACW to reflect the public and private sector perspectives.
Mr Price is currently a senior programme manager for the innovation charity Nesta, where he leads on social, public service and place based innovation and Mr Menzies is currently an Executive Director of General Dynamics UK, and pioneered the establishment of General Dynamics’ Innovation Centre of Excellence (EDGE UK).
Adam Price said:
“I’m delighted to take on this crucially important role as Co-Chair of the Welsh Government’s Advisory Council. We know innovation is crucial to our economic future, but it’s also key to addressing the major challenges we face as a society. In particular, social and public sector innovation will be essential if we are to cope with the rising demands of an ageing population or fully exploit the opportunities presented by digital technologies to deliver services differently.”
Ian Menzies said:
“As national and international markets become increasingly competitive it is essential that Wales differentiates itself by leading in the areas that we truly have - or can have - Unique Selling Points . Innovation is at the heart of making this difference. I believe that the Innovation Council has a significant part to play in providing the appropriate thinking, environment and support for Business, Academia and Government to ensure the commercialisation of ideas and thereby stimulating opportunities, prosperity, jobs and growth for Wales.”
Members of the IACW are:
- Professor Sue Bale – R&D Director, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board;
- Ms Kellie Beirne – Chief Officer, Enterprise, Monmouthshire County Council;
- Ms Jessica Jones – Technology Translator, Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, Cardiff School of Engineering;
- Mr Brian McCarthy - Strategic Relationship Manager, Innovate UK;
- Mr Andy Middleton – Founder Director, The Tyf Group, which helps businesses, government and third sector organisations develop strategy and tactics to build innovation, resilience and engagement into all activities;
- Mr David Notley – Impact Innovation, a management consultancy specialising in advising early stage technology businesses;
- Dr.Martin Rhisiart – Director of the Centre for Research in Futures and Innovation, University of South Wales;
- Mr Steve Smith – Director, Technology Venture Investments, Finance Wales;
- Dr Helen Swygart – Capability Improvement Manager, Qioptiq;
- Professor Robin Williams – Member of HEFCW committee and member of Science Advisory Council for Wales.
The appointments are for three years and the Council will meet three times a year with the inaugural meeting taking place on 31st October in the Life Sciences Hub Wales, Cardiff.
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