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Northwest Science Strategy 2007 – 2010

Summary

A new Science Strategy for England’sNorthwest

England’s Northwest is rich in science, technology andtalent. Our companies, universities, colleges and researchinstitutions help to create new businesses, develop betterproducts and services, improve the environment, protecthealth and enhance quality of life.

This new Science Strategy for 2007 - 2010 has beendeveloped by the Northwest Science Council, which bringstogether businesses, universities and other sciencepartners in the region.

Through this strategy, we aim to set priorities and providestrategic guidance to the region. By working together, wecan compete internationally in science, and enjoy thebenefits that world-class science brings.

The National Context

This strategy has been developed in the context of anational recognition of the importance of Research andDevelopment (R&D) investment in driving economicgrowth. The UK Government aims to increase the ratio ofR&D to GDP from around 1.9% to 2.5% by 2014.

The Regional Context

The Northwest Science Strategy also reflects the widergoals of the region.

The Northwest Regional Economic Strategy 2006 aims tocreate a ‘dynamic, sustainable international economywhich competes on the basis of knowledge, advancedtechnology and an excellent quality of life for all’. Sciencewill play a key role in this, through its impact on business,health, education and culture.

Progress

Our first regional Science Strategy, published in 2002, wasthe first of its kind in the UK. Since then, we have enjoyedmany significant successes.

Science infrastructure has been dramatically improved, forexample through Daresbury Science and InnovationCampus, the National Biomanufacturing Centre in Speke,Liverpool Digital, Infolab 21 in Lancaster, andManchester’s Core Technology Facility.

Our research base has been greatly strengthened throughthe Cockcroft Institute, the new University of Manchester,the Dalton Nuclear Institute, and the support of theNorthwest Science Fund.

Regional venture capital funds have been established toencourage entrepreneurship, benefiting more than 150new companies in the region.

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However, there are areas where we can improveperformance. Five years on from 2002, it is time to re-examine the environment in which we operate, and toreview and update our priorities, to ensure that they areappropriate for the next three years.

Regional Strengths

The Northwest has many strengths that we can buildupon. Our region is a £106 billion economy, over a quarterof which is directly provided by science and technologybusinesses. We have strong, ambitious and vibrantuniversities and Research Institutes. We enjoy excellenttransport links, and an enviable quality of life.

Our region is home to a number of major world-classindustrial laboratories, with total business R&Dinvestment in excess of all other regions outside the SouthEast. International companies including AstraZeneca,Unilever, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and British NuclearGroup are major R&D investors here, along with growingnumbers of smaller enterprises, especially in the lifesciences.

We have some notable geographical concentrations ofscientific excellence, particularly in Manchester. The newUniversity of Manchester has the scale to make a realimpact world-wide, while across the Northwest, HigherEducation Institutions perform well in relation to the restof the UK.

Across the public and private sectors, the Northwest isinternationally strong in the Pharmaceutical / Medical /Health sector, in high-end Chemicals / Materials, inhigh-end Aerospace / Materials, and in Nucleartechnology.

There is particular growth potential in Biotechnology,Energy (especially in transmission and alternativeenergies), Aerospace, the Nuclear industry andICT.

The Northwest’s economy has the infrastructure, criticalmass and business R&D potential to grow significantly inthe coming years.

The Challenge

Although overall R&D intensity in the Northwest is aboveaverage for the UK, the region faces particular challenges.

Public sector R&D is particularly low in comparison toother regions in England due to relatively low levels ofdirect Government investment in Research Institutes andother bodies.

Business R&D, meanwhile, is concentrated in a few, high technology sectors, with major companies carrying out world-class research. This, however, disguises along 'tail' of businesses which invest comparatively littlein R&D.

Our Vision

The vision behind our new Science Strategy is unchangedfrom 2002.

England’s Northwest will be renowned as an area ofworld-class scientific achievement, creating a magnet fortalent and science investment, a powerful driver forinnovation and enterprise, and an effective force fordelivering benefits to health, the environment and society.

This will involve:• Growing and maintaining world-class infrastructure.• Stimulating the creation and exploitation of knowledge.• Developing, attracting and retaining talented people.• Closing the R&D funding gap between the private and

public sector.• Promoting the image of the Northwest as a vibrant

hotbed of scientific endeavour.

To succeed, we need to work in partnership with all of theindividuals and organisations that make up the sciencebase in the Northwest, both in the public and the privatesectors. This includes our leading science-basedcompanies, our universities, the regional NHS and itshospital trusts, and research organisations.

To make our vision a reality, we need to be focused, and toconcentrate our efforts. We have made clear andsometimes difficult choices, in order to define a strategyfor maximum impact. By focusing on the areas where wehave competitive advantage and the potential to progress,we believe that the region will thrive economically, and wewill be able to contribute to overcoming the wider globalchallenges that we face, such as climate change, thedepletion of natural resources, an ageing population andthe spread of infectious diseases.

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The Northwest Science Strategy 2007 – 2010

This strategy aims to have the greatest impact over themedium term (4-5 years). This is when we can help shapethe growth of existing companies and the formation of newones, and help to meet the science and technology needsof regional businesses through co-ordinated efforts acrossthe science base.

The strategy focuses on three underpinning ‘foundations’and six strategic ‘pillars’.

PROMOTION

SKILLS

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INTERNATIONALLY EXCELLENT SCIENCE BASE

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The Foundations

The foundations of our Science Strategy are the buildingblocks for the generation and application of new scientificinsights. They help to create the climate in which globallycompetitive, sustainable and successful businesses canemerge and prosper.

1. Internationally Excellent Science Base

To protect and build our internationally excellent sciencebase in the face of global competition, we have identifiedthe following strategic priorities:

- We must retain and adapt the science base already in place.

- We must build alliances outside the region, increasing the number of national and international scientific collaborations that we participate in.

- We need to develop centres of excellence for each priority sector, creating critical mass in world-class science in disciplines that are relevant to our region's industries, and promote knowledge transfer.

- We must work to raise the profile of the Northwest science base.

2. Exploitation of Science

To enable science to be applied more successfully in theNorthwest, it is important that we:

- Encourage SMEs in particular to engage more in R&D and Innovation, so they can provide innovative, leading-edge solutions to the companies that they supply.

- Maintain and develop world-class infrastructure for the academic and industrial science base, such as the business incubators and science parks already in the region.

- Promote knowledge transfer - encouraging businesses to take advantage of the expertise available in our universities, and making it easier for them to do so. Industry needs to be proactive in communicating its long term needs and goals to academic partners, so that academic research programmes can be adjusted tomeet those needs. We need to encourage the flow of people between the academic and business sectors.

- Promote science and technology-based entrepreneurship. We need to provide appropriate, flexible education for those in work who are thinking of starting a business. We need to link businesses with potential non-executive chairmen and board members, promote entrepreneurial role models within the region, and engender a culture of entrepreneurship within the science and technology community. Additionally we need to make sure that enterprises in the Northwest make the most of the venture capital and other forms offlexible financing that are available, by making themselves as attractive as possible to investors.

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3. Skills

For science to continue to flourish in the Northwest,scientists and science-based businesses need to engageenthusiastically and openly with the public of all ages.Creating a vibrant science and technology culture in theregion will have many positive effects. The most importantpriority will be to encourage the next generation ofscientists to gain the skills that we need in the UK. To makethis happen it is important to:

- Develop a regional Science Support Centre, in conjunction with the Science Learning Centre, to help the education sector engage young people in science.

- Raise the profile of industry sectors, for example through the regional Careers Northwest resource.

- Link progression through education with industry, alongthe lines of the UK Careers Academy for the financial sector and ‘Progression Accord’.

- Influence the development of Sector Skills Agreements for the benefit of the region.

- Develop Nuclear, Manufacturing and Chemicals National Skills Academies.

- Extend the availability of Foundation Degrees, and

- Help the spread of expertise in the region, through Specialist Schools and Academies, and Centres of Vocational Excellence.

The ‘Pillars’ - Areas of Strategic Focus

The strategic pillars reflect the industries that are criticalto the success of the Northwest economy, in which sciencehas a major impact. In addition, we make provision forrecognising and pursuing Emerging Opportunities, giventhe rapid nature of progress in science and technology.The final pillar, ‘Strategic Science and Technology Sites,’highlights the importance of specific sites in the region,with the capacity to be major national and internationalcentres of scientific and technological activity.

Aerospace

Aerospace forms a major part of the Northwest’s AdvancedEngineering and Materials sector, with a turnover ofaround £6 billion. The aerospace industry in the Northwestfaces a number of key challenges. We need to:

• Encourage the development of those emerging aerospace technologies that build on national strengths,for example autonomous air systems and the development of an environmentally friendly engine.

• Confirm and exploit the technologies with the greatest economic impact in the Northwest.

• Increase the interaction of companies with the region's Higher Education Institutions.

Chemicals

The Northwest is home to the UK’s largest and mostextensive cluster of chemicals-using industries,contributing in excess of £10 billion in sales, representingaround 20% of the UK chemical industry. Priorities for thechemicals sector include:

• World-class science and knowledge transfer. The priority is to establish a (virtual) knowledge centre for Materials Chemistry, building on the region’s existing strengths and positioning it as a leader in research, and increasing interaction with industry.

• Industry Promotion: To co-ordinate the various schemes operating across the region, and to encourage young people to become interested in scientific subjects.

• Skills: a key priority in this area is approval of a NationalSkills Academy by DfES, with a delivery hub possibly located in the Northwest.

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BioHealth

The biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcareindustry is growing rapidly with some 230biotech/phama/healthcare companies now in theNorthwest. Priorities for the sector include:

• Aligning regional and national policies and becoming more proactive in shaping the national ones.

• Promoting and supporting R&D activities of global calibre, developing competencies only where there is anopportunity to become world class.

• Consolidating investments in existing major projects rather than investing in new ones, while remaining ready to respond to national and international opportunities.

• Enhancing support to the healthcare industry, particularly in medical devices and diagnostics. Pursuing opportunities to leverage NHS R&D funding under the new Department of Health Research programmes.

• Making best use of the region’s excellent bio-incubation facilities for technology transfer and commercial exploitation.

• Improving support to maturing and established companies, including sector-focused accommodation, financial, regulatory and professional support.

• Developing specialist skills via the Sector Skills Productivity Alliance and cluster projects.

Nuclear

The Northwest is at the heart of the nation’s nuclearenergy sector with major operational sites, supported byan extensive supply chain network. To realise the fullpotential of nuclear energy, we need to:

• Improve the communication and marketing of the region's unique capabilities.

• Encourage and support activity in reactor technology in the Northwest.

• Take action over the next three years to see current skills initiatives (in postgraduate education and the National Skills Academy for Nuclear) come to fruition.

• Establish a scheme for senior scientists and ex-industryemployees to contribute to courses through lecturing, mentoring and course material development, to promote science and engineering subjects in schools and universities.

• Encourage companies to work together, sharing best practice to ensure the maintenance of standards and key skills across the nuclear sector.

• Encourage investment in skills development, innovation and R&D.

• Support greater SME involvement with Higher Education Institutions and R&D.

• Capitalise on the region’s excellent track record to win future funding.

Emerging Opportunities

It is crucial to focus on those sectors where strongindustry clusters and strengths in the science baseconverge, to ensure economic growth for the future. Inaddition, there may also be opportunities wheresupporting a growing industry, e.g. ICT or Media, or theunderpining science base may result in a new competitiveadvantage for the region.

It is important that we make provision for foresighting and'horizon-scanning' activities, to remain alert to futuredevelopments impacting on science and innovation.

The Science Council, supported by the NWDA, will identifythe most influential regional players, and the temporaryresources that are available to respond to major short-term opportunities.

Strategic Science and Technology Sites

We have identified four strategically important regionalScience and Technology sites. One - Manchester ScienceCity - has the capacity to be a centre of global importance.The others - Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus;Merseyside’s Liverpool Science Park and Speke Biotech;and West Cumbria - have the capability to become centresof national significance.

Marketing and Promotion

Overarching, professional and co-ordinated marketing andpromotion is essential if the Northwest is to capitalise fullyon its assets, and be seen as a region rich in world-classscience, attracting new skills and resources. Our imagedoes not currently do justice to the quality of our science.We will promote the region for what it is: an area that isalive with scientific endeavour, with world-class people,facilities and projects in areas of cutting-edge importance.

We will target young people, scientific and entrepreneurialtalent, science-based businesses looking for a chance togrow, and inward investors, with a view to attracting R&Dfacilities and forging links with the region’s laboratoriesand universities.

This is not just about hard science - every opportunity willbe sought to highlight the benefits the Northwest can offerbusinesses choosing to locate here, and the lifestyle thatmakes it attractive as a place to live and prosper.

Looking to the Future

In developing our new science strategy, we have engagedwidely with representatives from industrial and academicinstitutions across the Northwest. The publication of thestrategy however, will not in itself achieve the desiredresults. To realise the vast potential that the region has tooffer, we need to work with passion and commitment. Wehope when you have read the strategy in full you will shareour vision, and our determination to succeed.

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Summary of Strategic Priorities

PROMOTION

FOUNDATIONS PRIORITY CLUSTERS STRATEGIC SCIENCE SITES

Internationally Excellent Science Base

Exploitation of Science

Skills

Aerospace

BioHealth

Chemicals

Nuclear

Emerging Opportunities

Manchester Science City

Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus

Merseyside

West Cumbria

Retain and adapt science base alreadyin place

Build Centres of Excellence

Build Alliances (N8 and Northern Way)

Improve profile of the Northwest

Increase interaction between SMEs andthe science base

Promote benefits of innovation andsupport companies to undertakeinnovationBuild science infrastructure

Partnership working between industryand academia

Encourage the flow of people across HEI/ business boundary

Simplify access to knowledge basedenterprises

Provide just-in-time, flexible educationfor employed people thinking aboutstarting a business

Link businesses with potential non-execchairmen / board members

Promote an entrepreneurial culture

Improve investment readiness ofbusiness propositions

Create a regional science support hub

Link progression through educationpipeline with industry

Influence Sector Skills agreements

Support Sectors Skills and productivityalliances

Progress National Skills Academies

Develop foundation degrees

Engage the region in the NationalAerospace Technology StrategyExploit emerging technologies witheconomic impact on NorthwestIncrease regional industry interactionwith HEIs

Proactively influence national prioritiesPromote and support internationalexcellenceConsolidate major project investmentsEnhance support to healthcare industryLeverage NHS activities for economicdevelopmentEnsure efficient commercial exploitationchannelsImprove support to establishedcompaniesSpecialised skills provision

Establish regional knowledge centre formaterials chemistryPromote chemicals industry to youngpeopleAddress skills shortages

Improve marketing of unique regionalfacilitiesEnsure fruition of current skills initiatives

Establish scheme for senior scientists toengage with HEI course developmentEncourage companies to share bestpractice

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority toencourage investment in skills,innovation and R&DFacilitate greater SME involvement in R&D

Capitalise on track record to win futureresarch funding

Carry out foresighting activities

Respond to major short term opportunities

Sucessful development on the OxfordRoad corridor

Establishing University of Manchester asa leading global HEI

Commercialisation of Universityintellectual property.

Continued expansion of ManchesterScience Park (MSP)

Next stage infrastructure development

4th Generation Light Source investmentcase to be carried through

Increasing collaboration with NHSresearch

Obtaining private sector investment intoLiverpool Science Park

Formalising National MicrosystemsPackaging Centre project structure andcontracting the project

National Biomanufacturing Centre tobuild on HEI and commercial capability

Build strong nuclear cluster aroundNuclear Decommissioning Authority

Develop Nuclear Academy

Potential for hub of a National Nuclearlab

National nuclear archive

Contact:PO Box 37, Renaissance House, Centre Park, Warrington WA1 1XB

www.northwestscience.co.uk

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