here

Realising the
Knowledge Economy
Higher Education’s Impact within the
Merseyside Objective 1 Programme
INTRODUCTION
What is Objective 1?
The Higher Education Sector
The future
Between 2000 and 2006, the Objective 1 Programme will
provide £2bn to assist in the social and economic regeneration
of Merseyside. The area is under-performing economically, with
less than 75% of the European average Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) per head of the population.
The four Merseyside Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with
significant involvement in the Objective 1 Programme are:
The current Programme comes to an end in December,
so the European Commission, Member States and regions
are preparing for the 2007 – 2013 Programme. The Higher
Education sector will have a vital role to play and NWUA is
currently is working with regional partners to ensure that this
role is maximised in the new Programme.
The priorities of the Programme in Merseyside are to improve
competitiveness, develop the skills of the workforce, stimulate
economic growth and regenerate areas of greatest need.
Edge Hill University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool John Moores University
University of Liverpool
Liverpool City of Learning is also part of the Objective 1
HE network.
These HEIs have been involved in numerous and diverse
projects. Over £42 million of ERDF has made possible large
scale capital projects such as the Liverpool Science Park and
the forthcoming Design Academy, and enabled a multitude
of SMEs across Merseyside to innovate, improve their
competitiveness and create £120m sales/turnover. Key sectors
in the region have been assisted by projects such as MerseyBIO
and the Digital Academy.
ESF amounting to more than £10 million has helped over
2,000 people into employment with projects that foster a
culture of entrepreneurship and provide the tools to
participate in the workplace.
The institutions have pooled their expertise and collaborated
on projects, such as the successful Centre for Leadership
Development and Business Bridge.
The North West Universities Association acts as HE sector
co-ordinator for the Objective 1 Programme. Keith Burnley,
Executive Director, says, “NWUA is pleased to promote the
broad ranging and successful contribution that HEIs have
made to the economic and social regeneration of Merseyside,
a contribution that is mirrored in the rest of the region through
the Objective 2 and 3 Programmes.”
“
The Higher Education sector is
a key partner of the Objective
One Programme and has been
instrumental in delivering many of the
projects that are helping to transform the
city region’s economy, such as Liverpool
Science Park, the School of Tropical
Medicine and the Centre for Leadership
Development.
“
Funding is distributed through ERDF (European Regional
Development Fund) and ESF (European Social Fund). ERDF
helps redress regional imbalances and is aimed at economic
regeneration projects. ESF helps reduce differences in
standards of living by creating and protecting jobs.
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It is important that we continue to build
upon these links and successes to ensure
that the people and economy of Merseyside
benefit from the work and the innovation
of the HE sector in the future.
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n 130 projects
n More than £50m grant
approved since 2000
n Almost 3,000 jobs
created
n £120,000,000 sales/
turnover created
NWUA represents the 15 HEIs in the North West and is heavily
engaged in European funding programmes across the region.
For more information on wider NWUA activity, please visit
www.nwua.ac.uk.
n Four HEIs
Richard Nutter
Objective 1 Programme
Director
n Over 2,000 beneficiaries
into employment
n More than 8,000
beneficiaries gaining
or working towards
a qualification
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ESF
How EU’ve helped
Student Enterprise … turning today’s
students into tomorrow’s entrepreneurs
Based at Liverpool John Moores University, the ESF funded
Student Enterprise Project offers practical support and enterprise
education activities to students who aspire to turn their ideas
into business realities.
Business Bridge:Adrian Tseung’s
computer aided design project at Liverpool
Waterwitch Marine showing the finished
article and Adrian on board. Adrian studied
Mechanical Engineering at the University
of Liverpool.
The Project is operated from the Business Development Centre,
a central LJMU service team with a university wide remit, so
that students from all disciplines have equal access to services.
The Project links the employability and third stream agendas
at LJMU.
This Project is driven by Liverpool John Moores University
in partnership with The University of Liverpool and Liverpool
Hope University and is going strong in its twelfth year.
The success of Business Bridge led to a further three rounds
of ERDF funding until December 2004. During this time
the project expanded exponentially, assisting over 2200
companies to define more than 5400 business development
projects. Importantly, as time progressed, the notion of
students working and studying at the same time became a
national issue, which continues to this day. Business Bridge
provides the ideal model of brokering part-time quality
work, which satisfies company development and
competitive needs but also the graduate desire for
experience in the work place.
The core activities provided are:
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Structured enterprise education activities with local
entrepreneurs such as business games, Masterclasses
and the Young Enterprise Graduate Programme
One-to-one counselling, mentoring and action planning
Access to reference materials, electronic resources
and access to COBRA (specialist business start software)
Direct support to new ventures via a bursary scheme
that provides up to 12 months financial support
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Student Enterprise: Nichola Lawton and Kellie McLoughlin started their
business, Sequence Biotechnologies Ltd, straight after graduating from LJMU
in 2004. Their company offers DNA paternity testing in a unique walk-in clinic
environment based in Liverpool. With the assistance of the Student Enterprise
Project, they were able to access a range of support and funding. They have
recently franchised their walk in clinic concept to over 30 centres nationwide.
By bringing local business people into lectures, students will
increase their commercial awareness, gain a valuable ‘real
world’ perspective and meet role models to aspire to. Business
games and Masterclasses encourage the development of
business skills, team working and creativity. The Young
Enterprise Graduate Programme, where students work
with a business mentor for up to a year, exposes students
to a professional work ethic, as well as giving opportunities
for making business contacts in the supply chain and
networking with established entrepreneurs.
Graduate Into Employment Unit
The Project is on target to support 800 students at the
University which includes 12 graduate start-up companies,
ranging from an ecological consultancy to an e-commerce
online store to Britain’s first “walk in” DNA testing centre.
Most of the graduates who are trained then go on to start their
careers in Merseyside SMEs, where they can be recruited either on
a permanent basis or to complete a short term business improvement
project for the SME. The GIEU team also provides further help and
support to the graduates at this stage to help them make a positive
impact and create and maintain high standards for their employers.
For more information on Student Enterprise, please give the
team a call on 0151 231 5126 or email to [email protected];
you can also visit the website at www.ljmu.ac.uk/startup
Business Bridge began in 1995, utilising ERDF funding
to develop links between Merseyside SMEs and higher
education institutions. The premise was a simple one –
SMEs have a multitude of business needs that can be
quickly and effectively fulfilled by talented university
students.
GIEU (Graduate Into Employment Unit) based within Research &
Business Services at The University of Liverpool, has been maximising
the use of graduate skills and talent for businesses for over ten years.
Currently implementing two EU Merseyside Objective 1 projects,
GIEU works with unemployed and under-employed graduates,
helping them to make the transition from education into employment
by ensuring that they have the skills employers need and are ready
to make a valuable contribution as soon as they start working.
Through Objective 1 funding, GIEU is able to support the whole
process, which includes: recruiting groups of graduates for the
GIEU Graduate Business Programmes (between 7 and 8 programmes
are run each year); providing the training itself (a mix of personal
development and business awareness training, which include key
areas identified as important to both graduates and employers);
liaising with businesses to raise their awareness of the benefits of
engaging higher level skills, and acting as broker to identify suitable
graduates for specific employment opportunities.
Some of the benefits for graduates participating in the training
programme have been identified as:• An improved understanding of their transferable skills
• A better focus on choosing the right career path
• Awareness of what employers need and want from their
workforce
• Greater self-reliance and improved communication skills
• Getting a better CV and enhanced job search skills
Evaluations carried out with participating companies have
revealed that benefits for them have included:• More time for the owner/manager to take a more strategic
approach to developing their business
• Improved efficiency and productivity
• Increased use of IT/ICT with the implementation of new
technology
• Enhanced competitiveness and development of new markets
• Improved systems and procedures
Since GIEU was originally set up in 1994, it has helped
approximately 5000 graduates and 1500 organisations, making
the Unit one of the largest initiatives of its kind in Europe,
linking graduate skills and SME business needs.
The scheme has progressed in many ways and is now
one of 22 national Centres for Knowledge Exchange
Activity funded by HEFCE. There has been increasing
business support from an initial average of one week
to an average of 30 days. Support is now offered outside
of Objective 1 areas and is also open to non-SMEs.
Business Bridge remains highly relevant given the
continued demand by organisations for graduates
with excellent ‘employability’ skills.
Business Bridge successes include a Masters student who
joined a company and went on to become a Managing
Director, a student winning the national Student Employee
of the Year Award and students achieving the Microsoft
Most Valued Student Award.
Success in Liverpool led to Business Bridge North East at
The University of Sunderland and more recently to the
establishment of ‘Business Link’ at Swinburne University,
Australia. A fuller overview can be viewed in the ‘Decade
of Success’ micro-site at www.business-bridge.org.uk
www.knowledge-exchange-merseyside.org.uk
For further information on our work please go to
www.gieu.co.uk or call 0151 709 1760.
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CENTRE FOR LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
Sustainability for Social Enterprises
Supported by ESF funding, Liverpool John Moores University’s
School of Management has developed a unique MA in Social
Enterprise programme.
The course was developed following consultation with the Social
Enterprise Coalition, the Community Action Network, Merseyside
Social Enterprise Network, the Dti’s Social Enterprise Unit and
Co-ops UK. The programme addresses the lack of management
training amongst key personnel in the sector, which is seen as a
major barrier to making social enterprises sustainable businesses
in the long-term.
ESF Objective 1 funding enabled LJMU to develop and pilot
a unique day release programme which met the specific
requirements of the participants and also allowed the initial
two cohorts of students to pay reduced tuition fees. In line
with the exit strategy for the project, the MA Social Enterprise
programme has now been established within the sub-region
and has successfully recruited a cohort of full fee paying students.
The first cohort of students who started in 2003 is nearing the
end of their studies. Having undertaken eight core management
modules, the final year students are receiving mentoring support
from lecturers in the School of Management whilst undertaking a
work-based project involving the production of a business plan for
their employing organisation. The approach will ultimately support
the long-term viability of organisations in the sector by developing
a business plan that supports the sector’s transition from
principally grant-aided status towards a social enterprise model.
James Bevis (Autism Initiatives UK), who had not undertaken
academic study for 15 years, believes that the course has
positively impacted on all areas of his work and provided tools
to give stability and direction to the projects he is involved with.
“I found myself developing skills, ideas and concepts that
have placed increased value on my work and had a direct and
positive impact on the operation of the charity that I work for”.
Another student commented on the tangible benefits of the MA.
“Studying for the MA Social Enterprise at Liverpool JMU and
carrying out the dissertation has led to the sustainability of ELECT.
The dissertation allowed me to focus on a real business issue, the
resulting study has enabled ELECT to win an £800,000 contract on
the back of the results!”
Students at a Social Enterprise evaluation event
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For further information about the MA Social Enterprise
programme contact Bob Doherty, School of Management,
John Foster Building, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5UZ,
[email protected], 0151 231 3342
The Centre for Leadership Development helps entrepreneurs
upgrade their skills and techniques in key operational areas.
The centre is a partnership involving Edge Hill University,
Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University
and the University of Liverpool.
Jane Davies, the centre’s director, commented: “Business leaders
don’t correspond to off-the-peg labels, so why should business
leadership development programmes? This recognition is at the
heart of our philosophy for delivering a flexible and innovative
programme tailored to the needs of individuals.”
The centre is partly funded by ESF and is able to provide up to
50 per cent funding to leaders and potential leaders of small to
medium sized enterprises on Merseyside to meet their personal
training needs in leadership.
Funding can be applied to an exciting mix of training
programmes including:
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Continuous learning is
increasingly important to
success and the Centre for
Leadership Development
plays a vital role in helping
Merseyside’s business
leaders become better
equipped to outperform
their competitors.
1-2-1 coaching and mentoring in the workplace
The first year of an MBA programme
The Institute of Director’s Leadership and Strategic Change
two-day course
Finance for Non-Finance Managers (one day)
Chartered Management Institute’s Introductory Diploma
in Management (one evening a week for 8 weeks).
This unique, flexibly structured learning environment enables
even the busiest executive or owner-manager to become better
equipped to outperform their competitors. A ground breaking
element of the centre’s work is a series of Leadership Workshops
for Entrepreneurs held on a six-weekly cycle throughout 2006.
“
Together with our HEI partners, Liverpool Hope University has played
a key role in improving the competitiveness of Merseyside businesses,
particularly SMEs, via our involvement with the Objective 1 programme. Our
participation in major knowledge transfer projects such as Business Bridge (ERDF),
Centre for Leadership Development, as accountable body, and a wide range of
workforce development programmes has led to significant increases in graduate
retention rates.
Liverpool Hope has also utilised ESF funding to encourage wider parental and
family participation in learning and higher education through our innovative
REACHOut® programme and has helped large numbers of female managers
improve their career prospects via our successful Smashing The Glass Ceiling
initiative.
We remain committed to contributing to the social and economic regeneration of
Greater Merseyside as the Programme continues to evolve over the coming years.
“
ESF
Professor Gerald J. Pillay
Vice-Chancellor & Rector
Liverpool Hope University
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TARGETED SECTORAL SUPPORT
Merseyside Automative Group
The project forms part of the automotive sector development
provision on Merseyside, providing hands-on support to help
local companies achieve a commitment to change and a process
of continuous improvement.
The model supported by the project deploys a specialist mentor
as the facilitator of the change process. Initially the companies
are benchmarked against a best practice model and any gaps
are identified. This leads to the identification of an action plan
for the company. Through the project manager, the mentor has
access to the specialist support/funding to respond to the gaps
in the model and also to provide the hands-on support to help
them improve and sustain the company’s competitiveness.
The approach to company support is a 5 stage process:
Stage 1 – awareness raising through marketing/promotion/
network events
Stage 2 – pre-diagnostic to benchmark the company against the
best practice model
Stage 3 – development of an action plan to respond to the gaps
Stage 4 – implementation of the action plan including specialist
support from best practice providers such as SMMT
Industry Forum, Cranfield World–Class
Manufacturing, Automotive Academy.
Stage 5 – ongoing monitoring, feedback and involvement
with our Merseyside Automotive Group network.
In addition it is intended to develop collaborative
networks for example, bulk purchasing of utilities
etc using the existing web-site portal, which will
be linked to a network of regional portals for the
automotive sector.
Tel: 0151 288 2113
www.magroup.org.uk
Lairdside Laser Engineering Centre
CASE STUDY
The Laser Initiative is a project developed by the Laser Group
in the Department of Engineering, at the University of Liverpool
and run at its Knowledge Transfer Centre, the Lairdside Laser
Engineering Centre in Birkenhead.
ColorMatrix Europe Ltd.
Established in January 1993, with a current turnover of
£21m and employing 145 people, ColorMatrix supply
colourants and additives into the Packaging, Industrial
Extrusion, Fibre and Performance Moulding sectors with
particular expertise in Polyesters, PVC and Polyolefins.
MAG (Merseyside Automative Group) started supporting
ColorMatrix in 2002 to help improve delivery schedule
achievement caused by production bottlenecks with
the aim of increasing production capacity. A business
diagnostic was undertaken to develop a clearer
understanding of the business priorities and needs.
The results of the diagnostic led to the development
of a business improvement strategy with supporting
plans. The implementation of the strategy included the
development of new systems for production scheduling,
new production layout, changes in workforce roles and
responsibilities, workforce training and development
and the introduction of both internal and external key
performance indicators to monitor progress.
The support provided helped to achieve the following
between 2002 and 2005: delivery schedule achievement
improved by 24%, quality improvements by 50% and
capacity increased by over 200%, with an increase in
turnover from £8m to £21m.
The project began in November 2002 and will be completed
in October 2006. Under the project, the Lairdside Laser
Engineering Centre has helped Merseyside SME’s investigate,
introduce and develop laser applications in manufacturing.
MerseyBIO
At MerseyBIO, an environment has been created that accelerates
the successful development of new start-up businesses. The
MerseyBIO Incubation Centre has used Objective 1 funding
to create a state-of-the-art facility designed for developing
biotechnology businesses and consists of Category 2 laboratory
units with associated office space housing up to 15 companies at
any one time. It is ideally located at the heart of a research active
community of life scientists on the University of Liverpool campus,
directly adjacent to the School of Biological Sciences, providing
ease of access to high value capital equipment, expertise and
know-how.
The MerseyBIO team is located in the incubator and provides a
fully integrated technology commercialisation, business support
and incubator team that offers a unique range of services to life
science businesses and researchers.
Key services include technology commercialisation, business
development advice and support, networking activities to support
the sector and esymbio™, an on-line environment for providing
access to enterprise class systems for information sourcing and
collaboration.
The MerseyBIO Incubator is already approaching full occupancy
and is home to some very exciting young biotechnology
companies. In June 2005 Provexis became the first company
from the Incubator to float on the London Stock Market.
Other companies benefiting from the MerseyBIO Incubation
environment include DNA Diagnostics, Iota Nanosolutions,
Microvisk Ltd, Platform Diagnostics, L3Technology, Sequence
Technologies and Safebridge Europe. In addition to these
established companies, there is a strong pipeline of early stage
projects to fuel the business pipeline.
The support offered under The Laser Initiative has been in
many forms – marketing exercises, process development,
problem solving and grant seeking. DMH Welding and
Fabrications Ltd in Liverpool, were helped to market their
stainless steel fabrication business to increase their turnover
and support their plan to purchase of a laser cutting machine.
Additionally, for Attiger Ltd., a start up high technology
coatings business the Centre helped secure funding under
the DTI Technology Programme for a £700,000 project
developing new laser based coating techniques. Graham
Downhill, Managing Director of Attiger Ltd, praised the
Centre’s assistance: “The Centre provided excellent support
in the development of the bid. It would have been difficult for
a small company like Attiger to be successful without this help.”
Another example of the practical assistance offered is the
resolution of machine problems with a laser based textile
cutting machine at Openhouse Products, in Birkenhead.
Having reached a point where the company were considering
removing the machine, it is now used on a daily basis for the
development of prototype products and new designs.
In summary, The Laser Initiative has provided a varied portfolio
of assistance to Merseyside SME’s to help realise the benefits
of laser technology to manufacturing.
0151 650 2305
Email [email protected] www.llec.co.uk
0151 795 4100
Email [email protected] www.merseybio.com
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8
LARGE SCALE CAPITAL PROJECTS
Blast off for Spaceport
Thanks to a unique partnership between Liverpool John Moores
University’s Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) and Mersey
Ferries, the North West now has an amazing new tourist
attraction, Spaceport. The new £10 million visitor attraction,
which received support from the Merseyside Objective 1 ERDF
Programme, opened in July 2005 and has proved so popular
that it is expected to exceed its target of 100,000 visitors a year.
Mike Bode, LJMU’s Professor of Astrophysics, said: ‘’As a visitor
attraction, Spaceport needed to be exciting and fun but it also
aspires to be educational. Finding the correct balance between
excitement and learning was challenging but thanks to the
ARI’s extensive involvement with school children through LJMU’s
National Schools Observatory, and Mersey Ferries’ considerable
knowledge of the leisure industry, our scientists were more than
a match for the task. The resulting interactive exhibits are not
only great fun but educational too.’’
Liverpool John Moores University’s Design Academy
Opening in 2008, the £23.5 million Design Academy, part-funded
by ERDF is a living embodiment of LJMU’s vision of developing
art and design facilities that will support new ways of working.
This unashamedly modern development will be the most
significant cultural building to be completed in the city, when
Liverpool becomes European Capital of Culture. The building
has been designed to draw the business community, students,
staff and visitors into the university and represents a radical
departure from traditional models of art and design teaching,
research and enterprise. It aims to provide a knowledge transfer
hub and a showcase for design practitioners across the city
and region, allowing the local design community to access:
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High quality gallery and exhibition spaces, capable of
mounting national and regional exhibitions
A high profile platform for promoting local product design
and services to an international and UK audience of
manufacturers, distributors, retailers, designers, the media
and the public
Cutting edge ICT facilities which will support digitally based
design
High quality meeting / seminar rooms allowing the business
community to network and present designs to clients
Leading edge facilities and expertise which meet the CPD
needs of the local business community
Technical equipment areas, for example ceramics and plastics
areas, a photographic studio with blue screen capabilities,
prototyping and 3D modelling facilities
The Academy will also provide a hub for joint projects between
the business community, graduates and under-graduates
bringing fresh ideas and additional capacity to Merseyside
design practices and supporting the local manufacturing sector
to innovate and diversify into new product areas. It will also
provide space for business start-up support targeting recent
graduates, for widening participation activities, such as Summer
Schools, and facilities in which business support agencies can
deliver their programmes and hold events.
The development will also provide Merseyside with an exemplar
building showing best practice relating to energy efficiency,
inclusive design and renewable energy with 10% of energy
demand being generated from renewable sources. Design
Academy will position the University as a leading advocate of
contemporary art and design. The first major exhibition planned
for 2008 to mark the opening will be a major retrospective of
Liverpool artists, for which a number of major collectors have
agreed to loan their work. Amongst the aspirations are a
Liverpool Fashion Week aimed at raising the profile of the
Merseyside fashion and textile sector and a Design Fair that
will support sales and networking opportunities.
Tel: 0151 231 5074
http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/LSA/69406.htm
Housed in Mersey Ferries’ former Seacombe Terminal, Spaceport
offers visitors an astonishing array of interactive exhibits and
space information, ranging from wormholes and blackholes
to supernovae, spiral galaxies and Britain’s very own Starchaser
rocket. LJMU’s scientists worked with other project partners to
create a galactic adventure that sees visitors blast off from Earth
in a space pod for an exhilarating journey through the solar
system to the far reaches of the Universe via a wormhole.
LJMU is internationally acclaimed for its astronomical expertise
as evidenced by the presentation of a Queen’s Anniversary
Award in 2006 for the development of the world’s largest
ground-based robotic telescopes. The most sophisticated of
these, the Liverpool Telescope (located in La Palma, Canary
Islands) is owned and operated by the University.
The ARI is committed to advancing the public understanding
of science and a proportion of the Liverpool Telescope’s
observational time is set aside for use by UK schools through
LJMU’s National Schools’ Observatory (NSO). Over 500 schools
are currently members, enabling thousands of pupils to reach
for the stars by bringing high quality astronomical images right
into their classrooms. Following its launch, Spaceport became
the public face and home of the Observatory, though it is still
maintained by the University. LJMU expects to have around
1200 member schools by 2007.
Tel: 0151 330 1333
www.spaceport.org.uk/intro.asp
Top and Middle: Visitors enjoy the attractions at Spaceport
Bottom: Professor Michael Brown, LJMU’s Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell
MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher
Education and Professor Mike Bode, Astrophysics Research Institute
take a ride on Spaceport’s wormhole to travel to the furthest reaches
of the Universe.
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LARGE SCALE CAPITAL PROJECTS
AIMES
Liverpool Science Park is booming
with new business
The AIMES Centre (Advanced Internet Methods
and Emergent Systems) at the The University of
Liverpool is helping businesses to capitalise on
cutting-edge research into ‘Grid technologies’.
This is a £7.8 million project, including over £2 million ERDF
contribution from Objective 1.
The UK’s newest Science Park is already booming with ten
new exciting companies in occupation – despite the first
phase opening only in January of this year.
Liverpool Science Park on Mount Pleasant in the city centre
represents a significant step forward for a city that has a long
history of producing innovators in the fields of science and
technology but which, until the beginning of this year, has
not had suitable facilities to house such companies.
The Grid has been described as the next generation of the
Internet, and has caused considerable excitement for it offers
limitless computing power ‘on tap’, just like conventional
utilities. It provides users with seamless access to network
and computing resources without having to worry about
their own processor power, memory or storage capacity.
A joint venture between The University of Liverpool,
Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool City Council,
the Park is also supported by The North West Regional
Development Agency and is part financed by the European
Union under Merseyside’s Objective 1 ERDF Programme.
Michael Brown, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores
University and Chairman of Liverpool Science Park, comments:
“One of the major problems faced by Liverpool in recent years
was that we had two world-class Universities in the heart of the
city, but nowhere for innovation-led businesses spinning out of
them to go. This meant we had been exporting our talent and
the financial benefits that came of it. This is why we needed a
Science Park.
With Liverpool Science Park well placed to play a central role
in helping the city capitalise economically and culturally on the
innovation emerging from it, Chief Executive, Dr Sarah Tasker,
maintains: “The launch of Liverpool Science Park is a huge
opportunity for Merseyside. It is widely acknowledged that
developing knowledge and innovation-led businesses gives
the UK its best chance of a long-term bill of economic health.
“It is a little known fact that 35% of industry in Liverpool is
science-based. We have a long tradition of innovation in the
city, and need to continue and grow this in order to ensure its
prosperity in the long-term. Liverpool Science Park represents
part of a new ‘joined-up thinking’ approach to giving
innovation-led businesses in the city the support they deserve.”
“Investing in such developments allows Liverpool to take
its place alongside other leading UK cities committed to an
economy founded on scientific and technological innovation.
It also allows a city with a proud heritage of producing
innovators and entrepreneurs to keep hold of them, thereby
benefiting from the energy, ideas and wealth they create.
CAM-SCI Ltd, the former management team of
the UK’s most established and successful Science Park in
Cambridge, were recruited to lead and develop the Liverpool
project. The result of the team’s expertise and hard work can
already be seen in the flourishing Innovation Centre which
has an enthusiastic and dedicated staff offering support to
companies at every stage of their growth.
“The future for Liverpool is to become a truly world class
Science brand that links the innovation and research base of
its Universities with a developing specialist infrastructure to
support and grow young innovation-led and research-based
companies in the science, engineering, biotechnology, IT
and knowledge sectors.”
The cutting-edge design of the Innovation Centre blends
sympathetically with its historic surroundings whilst also meeting
the needs of science and technology-driven businesses. The
result is a modern versatile facility that accommodates growing
companies undertaking a wide range of activity from software
development through drug discovery and medical devices.
In addition, the Innovation Centre has excellent meeting and
conferencing facilities.
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)
Tel: 0151 705 3400
www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk
Set up in 2003, AIMES seeks to exploit the potential of
next generation computing technologies for the benefit
of the local economy through the creation of revolutionary
new business models. The aim is to catalyse an increase in the
competitiveness of existing businesses, and to directly improve
regional economic performance through the creation of new
business ventures.
AIMES develops advanced computing solutions and, through
the use of Grid technology, can provide businesses, particularly
SMEs, with cost-effective access to these new technologies on
a pay-as-you-go basis. For businesses, the benefits of working
with AIMES and the companies it has created to deliver cutting
edge software to business are clear: high value, low cost access
without the burdens associated with traditional applications.
Using a utility model of computing means that businesses need
only pay for additional computing power as and when they
need it. The utility model also presents significant opportunities
for local communities, an area that AIMES is actively trying to
promote.
Director of Business Development at AIMES, Brian McCaul, said:
“AIMES’ uniqueness lies in bridging the gap between e-science
and e-business. Consequently, it’s a good example of how
‘reach-out’ funding, which seeks to transfer knowledge to
business and society, can successfully complement the
University’s research and regeneration activity”.
AIMES works with a range of businesses, applying ICT
innovation across all sectors in Merseyside and the North West.
AIMES collaborates with bodies such as Mersey Maritime and
the North West Food Alliance to raise awareness of grid
technologies and to identify and develop sector-specific ICT
solutions to assist in improving business competitiveness. Put
simply, AIMES packages next generation ICT solutions in such a
way as to make them affordable and accessible with the aim of
providing North West businesses with a competitive edge.
Since its inception, AIMES has assisted 150 local companies
and has been involved in the creation of 12 new ventures.
AIMES is a key resource for the Merseyside and North West
region in ensuring that local businesses are at the forefront of
computing capability. The Centre is supported by the University
of Liverpool, the Objective 1 Programme for Merseyside, the
North West Development Agency and City Focus.
To find out more visit www.aimes.net or call 0151 795 0116.
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COMPETITIVE SMES
aimed at regenerating the local economy through the development
and support of the digital content industry. The project consolidates
all of Liverpool John Moores University’s International Centre for
Digital Content activities under one roof at Liverpool Digital, including
the UK’s first incubator for the digital industries, DigitalINC. It is
funded by the Objective 1 ERDF and the North West Development
Agency with match-funding from LJMU.
Objective One funds have contributed significantly to the
regeneration of Merseyside, creating a real ‘buzz’ around
the region based on the certainty that the whole area
is on the up. As Chair of the Objective 1
Strategy and Performance
Committee I am delighted to
have witnessed the creation
of a solid platform for the
growing prosperity of the
region.
“
DA offers specialised business and technical support to new startups and established companies, as well as partnering with SMEs
on joint projects. Although rooted in the digital content sector, DA
supports companies from all sectors in the production and
consumption of digital content.
DA staff, comprising designers, programmers, team leaders
and project managers, have expertise in internet, mobile phone,
interactive TV and games console application development and are
able to provide support throughout the digital development cycle,
from initial idea scoping through development to implementation.
Professor Michael Brown
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
Liverpool John Moores University
(LJMU)
www.icdc.org.uk
The Client – Taecanet Ltd
Taecanet for schools is a subscription based e-learning services
business, initially aimed at the 25,600 English Primary and
Secondary Schools. Taecanet delivers a series of pre-packaged
learning journeys for National Curriculum subjects. For each
subject Taecanet uses “expert” teachers to create learning
journeys using existing web content. The Taecanet service has
wider potential in education services in countries outside the UK
and in other business sectors inside the UK.
The Problem
As a small business, it was imperative for Taecanet to move
quickly from a prototype stage to a working Version 1 of their
system. In order to achieve a working version 1 system, Taecanet
needed to develop the software and populate it with content
(data take-on). Taecanet had also moved into the area from the
south west and needed to make local contacts quickly.
The Solution
During the early stages of their business, Taecanet chose to
locate in the ICDC Business Incubator, Digital Inc. This allowed
them to work very closely with ICDC and make thorough
use of the technical expertise and production resources at
the centre.
A multidisciplinary team at ICDC was engaged to work closely
with Taecanet and develop the software from the prototype
stage into a working product. In order to provide resources for
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Capitalising on LJMU’s expanding research and enterprise expertise,
ERDF and ESF funds have enabled the University to deliver an
innovative portfolio of projects supporting the diversification of the
Region’s industrial base and improving the competitiveness of the
companies within it.
Working through a range of partnerships, LJMU has supported local
people, businesses and communities to stimulate enterprise and
innovation, establish permanent job opportunities and attain the
high-level skills required to take advantage of these new
opportunities.
The Digital Academy (DA) is a £20m initiative
CASE STUDY
“
The substantial investment of Objective One Funding has
been critical in establishing the foundations for
sustainable economic growth in Merseyside.
the large job of data take on and populating the system with
content, ICDC brokered a relationship with other areas of JMU
which allowed Taecanet to employ undergraduate students to
help deliver this work.
ICDC also introduced Taecanet to local contacts, support
agencies, funders and content experts. One content expert in
particular has been influential in informing the direction of
product development.
The Result
After completing the support project, Taecanet had moved
to a position where their prototype had become a fully
operational system which was populated with usable content.
This progress allowed them to begin trading and effectively
move their business forward. David Hesketh, Taecanet’s
Managing Director says:
“Without the support of ICDC our move to Liverpool would
have been fraught with delay and commercial risk, but with the
help of the team at ICDC, and their access to a wide range of
business and technical support resources these risks were
avoided and we were able to accelerate our business plans”
“Having used ICDC’s technical assistance to complete the
Version 1 product, we then benefited from access to
undergraduate resources just when we needed them, to help
with the huge task of content processing. This allowed us to
launch our operational service in September 2005 and generate
subscription sales of 173 schools by St Valentine’s Day 2006.”
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COMPETITIVE SMES
The Engineering Development Centre
(EDC)
The EDC was established in 2004 to substantially
improve the performance of engineering industries across
Merseyside. EDC brings academia and industry together for
the purpose of problem solving, networking and training.
The initiative was developed by the General Engineering
Research Institute (GERI) and the School of Engineering at
Liverpool John Moores University, with the support of
Objective 1 ERDF. Building upon the track record of
previous projects such as EDAM, Electronic Design and
Manufacture and MERC, the Merseyside Engineering
Resource Centre, the project draws upon the international
research experience of LJMU’s GERI to assist Merseyside
companies in finding cost-effective solutions to engineering
problems, helping them to move forward in a competitive
environment.
EDC works at the cutting edge, offering a wide range of
specialist support from design and development through
to manufacture and testing of prototypes and products.
EDC also provides opportunities for lifelong-learning
through face-to-face seminars, scholarships and
e-learning programmes.
Top: Embedded microcontroller system
Bottom: Mark II product
A wide variety of engineering specialisms are covered by
the expertise of EDC’s staff, including a range of electronic
and mechanical engineering disciplines. By working
alongside companies, the techniques and technologies
developed can be transferred to employees as new skills,
to be applied in the workplace.
Motivating Merseyside Business to Innovate (MMBI) is a unique
initiative aimed at technology based small to medium sized
enterprises (SMEs) based in Merseyside. The project focuses
on offering support to business to further develop new ideas,
products and services by successfully accessing business
networks, technologies and essential funding.
Tel: 0151 231 2001
www.edc.org.uk
By improving business innovation, the MMBI project has been
designed specifically to act as a springboard for Merseyside
SMEs who are able to take advantage of an extensive
collaboration between the region’s higher education institutions,
specialist business support organisations and business networks
thanks to support from the NWDA and Objective One
programme for Merseyside.
CASE STUDY
Coyles Ltd
Jim Tonner, MD of Coyles Ltd, approached EDC in October 2005 with a project to help companies regulate the use of
vibration inducing tools.
Following new EU legislation passed in 2005 covering the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, Jim’s idea was to
help companies regulate vibration exposure and to keep it within acceptable Health & Safety limits.
EDC’s electronic engineers designed and built an embedded microcontroller system which is to be used in Coyles new
HAV-SAFE unit, which computes vibration exposure time for a wide range of hand held power tools. EDC’s microcontroller
system significantly reduced the costing of Coyles HAV-SAFE unit, which is now on the market at a highly competitive price.
15
Motivating Merseyside Business to Innovate
Successful companies identified through MMBI who wish to
be involved in the European arena will be signposted to other
support and funds that the NWDA has, and is continuing to
put in place in the region.
For one Wirral based family business, SkipLight UK, the future
looks bright following assistance from MMBI, The University of
Liverpool’s Agility Centre and Liverpool John Moores University
Engineering Development Centre (EDC). Phil Rogers, Company
Director commented: “The ideas and practical help I have
received have been invaluable. I don’t have the time or skills
to focus on issues other than product development, so any
offer of assistance is welcome. At the time, I didn’t realise
how valuable that assistance might be. As a small company,
it’s not easy to break into new markets, so I would urge any
small company out there to look at what’s available. You
never know, you might just hit lucky, as I did.”
MMBI partners are The Northwest Development Agency
(NWDA), The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores
University, Business Link for Greater Merseyside, and
WM Enterprise.
To find out more about the support available from MMBI,
please contact:
Tel: 0151 632 8881
e-mail: [email protected]
www.mmbi.org.uk
16
MERSEYSIDE SOCIAL
INCLUSION OBSERVATORY (MSIO)
MSIO’s work is rapidly expanding and has involved working
closely with the Government Office for the North West
(GONW), the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the North
West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Greater
Merseyside Learning and Skills Council (LSC), local authorities
and voluntary and community sector organisations and
networks.
MSIO is funded by the EU Merseyside Objective 1 Programme,
the University of Liverpool, Merseyside Expanding Horizons,
Liverpool City Council, the North West Development Agency
and Greater Merseyside Learning and Skills Council.
Examples of work conducted by the Observatory during
2006 included a case study examination of the NewHeartlands
Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) Pathfinder (covering
parts of Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral). This study involved
local residents and included how the ‘lived experience’ of
individuals or groups experiencing (or at risk) from ‘exclusion’ or
‘deprivation’ is being captured, and how this ‘lived experience’
can inform the development of relevant policy interventions.
A further two studies have profiled the characteristics of the
NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) group on
Greater Merseyside in the context of economic exclusion
levels across the sub-region. MSIO also specifically explored
the relative influence of parents/’intergenerational’ factors –
as opposed to other influences – on levels of NEET through
using an ‘Action Research’ approach. A number of key
recommendations were made and these are currently being
considered by relevant organisations, for example Greater
Merseyside Connexions and the Greater Merseyside LSC.
“
The Objective 1 programme has enabled
the University of Liverpool to put in place
a range of initiatives which have helped businesses
on Merseyside. Many projects targeted key sectors
such as bio-technology, IT and engineering, giving
access to our knowledge and expertise and providing
support in delivering solutions to business problems –
often with the help of our graduates.
“
Merseyside Social Inclusion Observatory (MSIO) is an innovative
and responsive research centre with a focus on policy-relevant
research, effective community engagement with excluded
groups and best practice about social inclusion/exclusion,
particularly through the development of linkages with
regeneration-focused policies, programmes and activities.
Map to show
the Merseyside
Objective 1 area
The range of projects that have been supported
are helping Merseyside to become a world-class
city region that attracts people to live, work,
invest and visit.
Edge Hill
Professor Drummond Bone
Vice-Chancellor
University of Liverpool
Sefton
Enquiries are welcomed by the University of Liverpool’s
Business Gateway on: Tel. 0845 0700 064
e-mail [email protected]
www.liv.ac.uk/businessgateway
Knowlsley
St Helens
Liverpool
Liverpool Hope University
University of Liverpool
Liverpool John Moores University
Wirral
For further details call 0151 794 3117 or visit www.msio.co.uk
North West Universities Association
4th Floor Albert House
17 Bloom Street
Manchester M1 3HZ
Tel: 0161 234 8893
email: [email protected]
Website: www.nwua.ac.uk
17