Rosie Winterton MP, Regional Minister for Yorkshire and Humber, asked Northern Lights to help increase collaborations between the region’s universities and businesses. 

We organised an evening reception at Leeds Met Rose Bowl which attracted 150 of the region’s most senior business people and 100 academics, to network and learn from some of the region’s flagship collaborations.  There was a particular focus on technologies around low carbon energy, healthcare and the environment.

Organised presentations from

• University of Sheffield and Siemens, Wind power research centre

          Professor Zi-Qiang Zhu, Head of Electrical Machines and Drives Group

• University of Leeds and Slipstream Energy, Aerodynamic performance of wind turbines

          Dr Mike Roberts, Director – Slipstream Energy Ltd

• University of Huddersfield and Taylor Hobson

          Professor Paul Scott, Visiting Professor, School of Computing and Engineering

• University of York and Boots, Developing skin care range from plant oils

          Steve Boothroyd, Patent Manager Boots Brands and Exclusives Product

          Development

Worked with the Knowledge Transfer leads at all 11 of the region’s universities to produce a z-card – pocket information – of business collaborations and contact details.

Key results included

• 23 new relationships formed to date
• In evaluation, 100% said the event had been useful
• 7 businesses and 5 universities took up offers of help to broker relationships

“(The event) enabled people like myself to engage with companies and business contacts in an informal yet business oriented environment and to do that in one place, at one time – a feat that would have otherwise taken months to achieve.”

John Frankland, Acting Director, Knowledge Exchange, The Enterprise Centre, University of Hull