Technology Strategy Board Keen To Invest Further in Region
1 Jul 2008 11:36 AM
The Yorkshire and Humber region has world-leading manufacturing capabilities, and the Technology Strategy Board is keen to work further with businesses in the region to encourage innovation in both products and services. This was the key message from the Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, Iain Gray, when he visited the region this week.
Iain Gray visited the region on Wednesday and Thursday 25 and 26 June to meet Yorkshire Forward and to discuss how the Technology Strategy Board and Yorkshire Forward might further develop their relationship, for the benefit of business in the region.
Speaking at the end of his two-day visit, Iain Gray said: “The Technology Strategy Board supports the research, development and exploitation of technology and innovation for the benefit of business.
During this visit I have seen some genuine world-leading manufacturing technologies. We have already invested about £26 million in over 160 research and development projects involving nearly 240 companies and academic or research institutions in the region.
But we are keen to do more, including in areas such as advanced materials, high value manufacturing and ICT, and I’d like to encourage businesses in the region to engage with the Technology Strategy Board’s exciting programmes and initiatives.”
Iain Gray also stressed the importance of innovation, adding: “Innovation is vital if the UK is to maintain it’s competitive position in the world. We need to both maintain our core expertise in leading-edge technologies and invest in the next generation of technologies and industries.”
During his visit Iain Gray visited the Innovation Technology Centre at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham and met some companies based at the Centre. He also visited the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre before giving a presentation about the Technology Strategy Board to the Yorkshire Science Council. He finished his visit by attending a meeting of the Northern Way Innovation Steering Group.
Simon Hill, Executive Director of Business for Yorkshire Forward comments: “With an annual budget for innovation in excess of £50million we have highlighted that innovation is one of the highest priorities for Yorkshire Forward in the future.
This visit from the Technology Strategy Board is a great opportunity for us to build on our partnership, highlight the regions strengths and ensure that we find even more opportunities to work together for the benefit of our regions businesses.”
Following the meeting with members of the Yorkshire science and innovation council, director Reza Zadeh said: "This was a great oppportunity to showcase existing world-leading advanced manufacturing and technology capabilites in the region. Members of the science and innovation council were able to highlight the strengths of other business sectors in the region such as product design and creative industries, healthcare technologies and sustainability, and were keen to stress our readiness and innovation infrastructure already in place for even greater business success."
Notes to Editors
Contact at Yorkshire Forward: Leona Thompson, Press Manager on 0113 394 9589,
leona.thompson@yorkshire-forward.com Contact at Technology Strategy Board: Nick Sheppard, Media Relations Manager on (0)1793 442772 or
nick.sheppard@tsb.gov.uk Contact at Yorkshire Science: Tracy Milnes, Account Manager on 07802 891458,
tracy@girlfridaypr.co.uk