New Science Strategy launched to position the Northwest as an international centre of excellence

New Science Strategy for the region builds on progress made by the UK’s first ever regional science strategy of 2002.
Strategy document is launched at AstraZeneca as they celebrate 50 years at their R&D Centre in Alderley Edge.
Rt. Hon Alistair Darling MP provides a Government perspective on the science agenda.
Dr Edward de Bono provides the keynote speech following the grand opening of his first UK base, in Manchester.
Read a summary of the strategy

The second Northwest Science Strategy, developed by the Northwest Science Council, which brings together businesses, universities and other science partners in the region to ensure the region competes internationally and enjoys the benefits of a world-class science sector, was launched today (Tuesday 17th April) by the Northwest Science Council and Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Cheshire.

The strategy reflects the growing importance, nationally, of science and R&D investment as a key driver for economic growth and aims to ensure the Northwest is renowned as an area of world-class scientific achievement, attracting scientific talent and investment.

Bryan Gray, NWDA Chairman, said:

“The Northwest’s economy has the infrastructure, critical mass and business R&D potential to grow significantly in the coming years and this Strategy aims to have the greatest impact over this medium term. This is when we can help shape the growth of existing companies and the formation of new ones, and help to meet the science and technology needs of regional businesses through co-ordinated efforts across the science base.”

The strategy focuses on industries that are critical to the success of the Northwest economy and where science has a major impact such as aerospace, biohealth, chemicals and nuclear. It also includes activity and recommendations for these sectors, including; improving support to both maturing and established companies, the creation of world-class science and knowledge transfer, and investment in specialist skills development.

The Science infrastructure across the Northwest has been dramatically improved since the launch of the first strategy in 2002. Major projects include; Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus; the National Biomanufacturing Centre in Speke; Liverpool Digital; Infolab 21 in Lancaster; and Manchester’s Core Technology Facility. In addition the Northwest’s research base has also been greatly strengthened through investment in the Cockcroft Institute, the new University of Manchester, the Dalton Nuclear Institute, and the Northwest Science Fund.

Speaking at the launch event the Rt. Hon Alistair Darling MP said:

"Science is at the heart of the renaissance of the North West, helping generate the jobs and investment the region needs. We have world leaders in this region from AstraZeneca to Daresbury; Manchester to Merseyside science parks. The regions second science strategy centred around coming technologies such as bio-health and chemicals has a major part to play in building on that success. We will continue to support science, we have more than doubled spending to £3.5bn since 1997, as it has such a key role to play in the country's and the North West's future."

Jeremy Scudamore, Chair of Northwest Science Council, said:

“We are delighted to launch the new Northwest Science strategy alongside AstraZeneca's 50th anniversary celebrations, a company which demonstrates the international competitiveness of Science in the region. The new Northwest Science Strategy is all about focusing our efforts to progress and develop the strengths of the region. We want to be renowned as an area for world class scientific achievement and attract new talent and investment to the Northwest. This will deliver huge benefits, not only to the economy but also for the health of the population, the environment and society.

Following the official opening of the first UK office of the De Bono Foundation in Manchester earlier today, the keynote speaker at the Science Strategy launch event, Dr. Edward de Bono said:

''Intelligence is a potential. Thinking is a skill with which we use that potential. The North West has enormous potential as a region of flourishing economic activity, high quality public services and forward thinking education providers. Against a background of growing competition in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. This potential can only be achieved by increasing the teaching of constructive and creative thinking as a skill. The Northwest Regional Development Agency and the new science strategy recognises this opportunity to increase the North West reputation as a UK leader of outstanding scientific achievement.''
-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

In 2002 the Northwest was the first region in the UK to publish a science strategy and the Northwest Science Council, the body established by the NWDA to ensure coherent and active promotion of scientific excellence and a structured approach to scientific investment, have now built on this strategy to set the priorities and provide strategic guidance for the sector for 2007 – 2010.

The vision underpinning the new Science Strategy is unchanged from 2002:
England’s Northwest to be renowned as an area of worldclass scientific achievement, creating a magnet for talent and science investment, a powerful driver for innovation and enterprise, and an effective force for delivering 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.

The Northwest has a £106bn economy, over a quarter of which is directly provided by science and technology businesses It is home to a number of world-class industrial laboratories, with total business R&D investment in excess of all other regions outside of the South East. We have strong, ambitious and vibrant universities and Research Institutes.

The new Northwest Science Strategy focuses on three underpinning foundations, six strategic pillars and promotion.

Three foundations
1. INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE
2. EXPLOITATION OF SCIENCE
3. SKILLS

Six pillars
The strategic pillars reflect the industries that are critical to the success of the Northwest economy, in which science has a major impact.
1. Aerospace
2. BioHealth
3. Chemicals
4. Nuclear
5. Emerging Opportunities
6. Strategic Science and Technology Sites

Promotion
Promote the region for what it is: an area that is buzzing with scientific endeavour, with world-class people, facilities and projects in areas of cutting-edge importance.

For further information please contact Neil Roscoe, Senior Press Officer on 01925 400232 or mobile 07980 713282 or neil.roscoe@nwda.co.uk

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/news or visit the Northwest Science web site at www.northwestscience.co.uk

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
Matching skills provision to employer needs
Creating the conditions for economic growth
Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

In 2002 the NWDA established the Northwest Science Council to develop scientific research and development in the Region. www.northwestscience.co.uk

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