How innovative is the East of England?

When it comes to technology, how innovative is the East of England?

Local tech businesses are being asked to take part in an audit of the East of England’s science and innovation companies – to influence regional investment proposals by Central Government that impact this region.

Tech business can have their say in the audit, via this short online survey: http://survey.sqw.co.uk/s/EOESIAICTSME/

The Science and Innovation Audits are taking place across the UK on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and aim to pinpoint areas of competitive advantage in relation to four key themes: ICT, life sciences, agri-tech and advanced engineering/materials – informing Central Government’s future industrial strategy.

Local organisations are being invited to comment on:

• East of England’s strengths and assets in science and innovation
• Collaboration between businesses and research institutions
• The labour market, skills and their relationship to innovation and entrepreneurship
• Technology trends
• Existing public and private funding support

BT’s Adastral Park team is leading a consortia of the East of England’s universities, research establishments, Local Enterprise Partnerships, innovation organisations and businesses across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambs and Herts to complete the ICT element of the audit.

Tim Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of TechEast – the East of England’s Tech Champion – and audit steering group member, said: “The East of England has a thriving ICT economy, which employs over 150,000 people contributing over £4.6bn GVA.  In this audit, we welcome business case studies, focusing especially on individual ICT businesses and the process of innovation.”

Jonathan Legh-Smith, BT’s Head of Partnerships & Strategic Research – chairing the ICT element of the audit, said: “The audit is an opportunity for business, academia and local government to highlight the real strengths of the East of England which we hope will lead to an acceleration of economic output and employment by securing greater investment from central government to the region.”

Neil Darwin, Chief Executive of Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (GCGP), leading the audit overall for the East of England, said: “The Science and Innovation Audit will help to define the most effective ways of maximising the benefits from the East of England’s scientific and technological capabilities – from chemistry to cognitive computing.”