BUSINESS SECRETARY LAUNCHES NEW UK INNOVATION STRATEGY IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Published 3 August 2021 at 9:51am

Business Secretary of State, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP visited South Yorkshire on Thursday (22^nd July) to launch a new Innovation Strategy which sets out plans to cement the UK’s position as a world-leader in science, research and innovation.

South Yorkshire was selected to host the announcement due to its world-renowned research facilities within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), which is the UK’s largest research-led advanced manufacturing and innovation cluster, home to over 30 nationally recognised R&D institutions, globally recognised businesses and a growing cluster of over 120 advanced manufacturing and technology firms directly employing over 2,300 people and indirectly a further 6,330.

The event took place at the AMRC’s Factory 2050, where the Business Secretary revealed the government’s long-term vision to put innovation at the heart of building back better, as a key pillar in its Plan for Growth. The Strategy also aims to boost private sector investment in research and development across the whole of the UK and create the right conditions for all businesses to innovate so they have the confidence to do so.

Factory 2050 embedded in AMID, enables diversification beyond the well-established advanced manufacturing group cluster, translating additional world leading research specialisms in areas such as net-zero carbon energy systems, gene therapy manufacture, modern methods of construction and future mobility, developing capabilities for growing and emerging international markets. Alongside Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park which forms an important part of the evolving Innovation District, with a vision to become a world-class hub driving innovation in sport, health, and wellbeing. Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) at the centre.

South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “South Yorkshire is a beating heart of innovation and the natural home for an Innovation District. The Secretary of State has chosen the right location to launch this scheme, now his visit needs to be backed up with ambitious investment at the Spending Review which will help unleash our huge potential.

James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Our renowned industrial heritage puts South Yorkshire at the heart of the world’s first industrial revolution, and our capabilities can put us at the centre of the fourth. Our trailblazing partnership with businesses and universities at the AMRC has helped us attract world leading firms such as Boeing, McLaren Automotive and Curvalux to the region.

“We stand ready to go much further, with scores of businesses ready to invest in South Yorkshire, creating thousands of jobs. With the right support from government, I have no doubt that we can create a new era of prosperity for South Yorkshire and for the North – creating a stronger, greener, fairer future for all.”

Business Secretary of State, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, commented: “Launching our new Innovation Strategy in South Yorkshire was particularly appropriate as the region has a vast history of creative enterprise. Made in Sheffield for example is a hallmark of quality and innovation, which for decades underpinned the city’s efforts into building itself as a leader in industrial innovation.

“The University of Sheffield has also played a vital role in this which was further strengthened with the development of the AMRC. In its 20 year history the Research Centre has cemented itself as a valuable asset in both South Yorkshire’s and the UK’s ability to innovate, develop and grow, while Factory 2050 offers a tantalising glimpse at how we can create the right conditions for research and private sector investment that meets the key points within our strategy.”

The Innovation Strategy outlines how the government will focus its efforts to support businesses and institutions at the cutting edge of innovation, setting out plans in four areas:

• Unleashing Business – fuelling businesses who want to innovate by ensuring effective access to private and public investment
• People – creating the most exciting place in the world for talented innovators
• Institutions and Places – ensuring research and development institutions serve the needs of businesses and promoting innovation in places across the UK
• Missions and Technologies – stimulating innovation in technology and missions that will provide the UK with a strategic advantage and will be critical to tackling some of our greatest challenges.

Business Secretary of State, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, added: “Through this long-term plan, we want to rekindle our country’s flame of innovation and discovery, helping businesses to seize the vast opportunities that innovation can bring. If we get this right, we can build the foundations for the new industries of tomorrow, and ensure British firms are at the front of the pack to turn world-leading science into new products and services that are successful in international markets.”

James Muir adds: “It is great to see that the Government will be increasing the annual public investment to enhance the country’s ability to innovate. South Yorkshire is a region that is already embedded in the fabric of the modern world both in our infrastructure and by enabling growth in advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs and training, which attract leading talent into these areas, but there is much more that can be done; starting with bridging the gap between the level of investment in the Northern regions when compared to those based in the South will make a huge difference.

“Currently 55% of public funding for research and development is skewed to the Oxford, Cambridge and London triangle and not enough of it is aimed at the North. Through a strategic 20-year plan and with access to innovative facilities such as the AMRC and AWRC, we are working to change this by helping businesses tackle real world challenges.”

In 2020, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combine Authority (MCA) and Local Enterprise Partnership completed work on developing a Renewal Action Plan (RAP) in response to the COVID Pandemic and its attendant socio-economic challenges, to outline the objectives and priorities for economic recovery and growth for the region. The RAP accompanies a new Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) which sets out the vision and policy objectives for growing the economy, with innovation a key area of focus.

To enhance support for businesses in the region, the MCA has also recently secured funding through a number of national initiatives and investment pipelines. This includes the Made Smarter programme, which aims to drive innovation, rapid adoption, and stronger leadership in industrial technology, to support the UK’s ambition of becoming a world leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Through the programme, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority expects to be able to fund and support around 500 Yorkshire and Humber manufacturers, plus providing digital road mapping sessions and further intensive support to several other businesses.

In addition, several support schemes for local businesses have also been introduced including the Sheffield Innovation Programme (SIP). The SIP is a regional initiative which aims to stimulate business growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and university facilities.

The support is in the form of bespoke research and innovation-based consultancy, workshops and other events and is a joint initiative between the two Universities of the region – Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

James Muir adds: “Our commitment to economic growth means we’re adding exciting new chapters to our region’s great innovation, research and “making” story and we’re delighted this new Industrial Strategy will support us in doing so. We’re putting in place the right assets, support schemes and initiatives, developing the right people and growing and attracting the right businesses. We’re doing this by focusing on what we’re good at, but the Government’s strategy will allow us to push our approach even further. It will enable us to further support the industrial clusters, universities and seed research facilities based here, as well as our local businesses, so we can better deploy and integrate our innovation supply chain.”

For more details about the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, visit: Sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or for information about why the Sheffield City Region is a great place to live, work and invest visit www.scrinvest.com.