These themes were further underlined by Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of the national universities’ representative group Universities UK, who stressed the importance of cross-sector working and collaboration to creating economic benefits at a local and regional level.
The outcomes from the various discussions will be used to plan and drive new initiatives across the South-East.
The University of Brighton was chosen to host the pan-regional meeting because of the range and depth of connections it has built in the region. Organisations represented at the roundtable meeting included the universities of Sussex, Chichester, Canterbury Christ Church, Kent and Surrey, as well as Sussex Coast College, the major local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
The Government’s Industrial Strategy, launched in 2017, sets out five foundations to transform the economy: it wants the world’s most innovative economy, good jobs and greater earnings, a major upgrade to the UK’s infrastructure, for the UK to be the best place to start and grow a business, and prosperous communities across the UK.
In May, it outlined four “Grand Challenges” focusing on global trends which will transform the future. They are: artificial intelligence and data, ageing society, clean growth and the future of mobility.