Business, government and universities must better collaborate to unlock the economic opportunities presented by the Industrial Strategy post Brexit, speakers will urge at a major conference at the University of Bath (Wednesday 25 April).

The event will explore how the ‘golden triangle’ of three-way collaboration can drive economic growth and social benefits in the South West, contributing to the ‘powerhouse’ agenda and supporting the Industrial Strategy to create an economy that boosts productivity and earning power throughout the UK.

Keynote speaker Ken Owen, Supply Chain Director, EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C (HPC) and Professor Per Holten-Andersen, President of Copenhagen Business School, will illustrate how the approach can turbocharge regional economies and upskill the national workforce to equip them for high quality jobs of the future.

The ‘golden triangle’ event will be opened by Professor Jens Roehrich, Director of the HPC Supply Chain Innovation Lab at the University and chaired by Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, Dean of the School of Management and Vice-President Corporate Engagement, joined by panellists:

Professor Hope Hailey said: “Collaboration between universities, business and policymakers is a force for social and economic good and essential to support the goals of the Industrial Strategy. The government points to ‘ideas’ and ‘places’ as foundations of productivity, and universities are a natural source of research, innovation and expertise throughout our regions.

“The University of Bath’s School of Management is the leading business school in the South West and we are proudly forging effective collaboration through our work with the NHS, our Productivity through People leadership development programme, and partnerships with companies such as EDF Energy.”

Keynote speaker Ken Owen, HPC Supply Chain Director, said: “ A project the scale of Hinkley Point C has the potential to be a game changer for the regional economy, but this can only be realised by us all coming together to identify innovative ways of working. It is important to me that the benefits of the project outlive the construction process and provide a lasting economic and skills legacy in the South West and beyond that can help power the UK’s industrial future.”

West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “Our world class universities are at the heart of the West of England’s success, with innovation arising from business and university collaboration driving productivity and pioneering new thinking.

“Building on these powerful collaborations to develop shared purpose and ambition across government, business and universities will be crucial in developing a Local Industrial Strategy for the West of England.”

Examples of University of Bath collaborations:

In partnership with EDF Energy the University of Bath’s School of Management has established the HPC Supply Chain Innovation Lab to connect business leaders, policymakers and academics in the field of complex supply chains and megaprojects.

The University of Bath is leading a new £40M national Institute of Coding (IoC), to help fill the UK’s digital skills shortage, as well as attracting more people from underrepresented groups into the sector.

The University’s School of Management, the leading business school in the South West, devised a Productivity through People leadership development programme for small and medium sized businesses in the south west, in partnership with four world-class companies (Babcock International, BAE Systems, EDF Energy and Rolls-Royce plc).

The University of Bath has received significant new government investment to develop the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems. The £60M automotive facility to be built at the Bristol and Bath Science Park will lead the development of future generations of ultra-low emission vehicles and attract sector-related businesses to the region.

The University's Institute of Mathematical Innovation works with industry clients in a variety of sectors. By analysing big data, simulating outcomes and modelling complex phenomena, it delivers innovative commercial solutions and exceptional results to companies of all sizes.

The event is part of the University's Look Further series bringing together industry and academia to discuss collaborative approaches to solving big issues.