Key changes to the UK’s innovation landscape – IOP Business Forum

On 29 February the IOP will be holding a business forum at the University of Southampton Science Park. This follows the success of the IOP’s previous forum at Harwell Oxford Science and Innovation Campus back in September, where the focus was on key changes to the UK’s innovation landscape. 

At the Harwell Oxford forum delegates had the chance to find out about how the Government plans to support R&D carried out by SMEs in the future. To ensure that those present received the latest information, the Institute brought together key organisations and arranged a programme of leading experts to talk about the proposed policy changes.
  
Chair of the event, Dr Norman Apsley, CEO of the Northern Ireland Science Park and Vice-President of Business and Innovation at the IOP, highlighted the important role that the community can play in helping to rebalance the UK economy, while Brian McCarthy, Relationship Manager for the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), spoke about the support that is currently available to businesses and what changes in Government policy will mean for the business community.

Other speakers offered insights into the management of the Campus and the work councils are carrying out to assist local businesses. Delegates also had the chance to talk to UK Trade & Industry and HM Treasury at length about issues important to the industry such as the availability of venture capital, with attendees giving the benefit of their own experiences.