Visit from Whitehall

The government delegation, led by Sam Beckett, Director General for International & Local Growth at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and Simon Ridley, Director General for Decentralisation and Local Growth at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), came to investigate and understand more about how universities can share their knowledge, research and innovation with businesses in the region in order to drive up their competitiveness and innovative edge. 

Professor Andrew Lloyd, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Operations (centre) welcomes delegates.

Geoff Raw, CEO of Brighton and Hove City Council (back right) with staff from the University of Brighton.

Presentations to the delegation focused on the long-standing relationship that the University has with Ricardo Plc, for research into complex engine combustion processes, and a current Knowledge Transfer Partnership with OSET, a world-leading manufacturer of electronic bikes, to develop a scientifically informed design process which will streamline and optimise electric trials bike design.

The discussion focused on developing the kind of relationships that Jo Johnson was referring to in his speech at HEFCE, when he launched the new Knowledge Exchange Framework on the 12 October.

Mr Johnson said collaborative and contract research conducted with businesses, consultancy, training, and broader partnerships with businesses and with civil society were important. 

And most universities, he said, play an important local economic role, whether by participating in economic development efforts, in skills development or by acting as hubs for businesses. 

The new Knowledge Exchange Framework will judge how well universities put their research to commercial use. This will sit alongside the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.