welcome
Driving the innovation engine
UKSPA Chairman Dr David Hardman , MBE calls for collective member input and feedback on key government initiatives
Welcome to our new look publication . I really hope you feel it is a true breakthrough in our communications strategy to put forward our messages .
I am not sure our locations are the engines of innovation . The engines are more our tenants . But if that is the case , then we are the spark-plugs providing the catalytic power that enables the engines to perform effectively .
As catalysts of innovation , we operate on a landscape broadly influenced by socio-political and economic trends and initiatives – and there are plenty of the latter coming at us at the moment . In quick succession we have the Science and Innovation Audits , The Industrial Strategy ( Green Paper ), and now the Digital Strategy . A common theme is building a stronger country that ‘ works for everyone , […] making sure that wealth and opportunity are spread across the country ’.
The ten pillars of The Industrial Strategy include investing in science , research and innovation , driving growth across the country and supporting businesses to form and grow .
The Digital Strategy recognises the need for ‘ flourishing ecosystems and strong technology sectors , spread across the UK ’ and sets out plans to empower innovative businesses .
we are those ecosystems There is a recognition of the need to move quickly , and I would say science parks and incubators can help achieve these objectives . We still need to work for that recognition even after all our collective efforts . These strategies should provide the fuel we need to further energise our locations .
We MUST feed comments back about the Green Paper . We called for input at the last Member ’ s meeting and we will provide a collective input , but every location is able to comment from their local perspective . In doing so , we should identify the local rate-limiting factors , and the means of overcoming them such that we can provide brighter sparks and promote the spread of wealth and opportunity across the country .
You will also find our plans for our York Conference in association with IASP , PraxisUnico and the InovationDB Forum on p14-15 . The conference offers a broad agenda and a chance to network . It is an ideal opportunity for us to place our locations at the heart of the discussion and demonstrate how we are already flourishing ecosystems that are ready and able to continue supporting strong technology sectors . We represent a ready-made infrastructure through which both industrial and digital strategies can be delivered . ■
All comments and feedback should be forwarded to the UKSPA team : info @ ukspa . org . uk
UKSPA The United Kingdom Science Park Association , Chesterford Research Park , Little Chesterford , Essex CB10 1XL T : 01799 532050 info @ ukspa . org . uk www . ukspa . org . uk
Future Fusion Editorial Director Mark Donald Editor Sarah Lawton Art Director Stuart Hobbs Art Editor Chris Stenner Contributor Dr John Bradshaw Account Director David Parker
Breakthrough is published on behalf of UKSPA by Future Fusion , a division of Future Publishing Ltd . Registered office : Quay House , The Ambury , Bath , BA1 1UA . No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the consent of the UKSPA .
Read online at : ukspa . org . uk / breakthrough spring 2017 | UKSPA breakthrough | 7