A partnership involving the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), industry leaders, and the universities of Derby, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, and Loughborough has secured the funding. This initiative is expected to inject up to £340 million into the regional economy over five years.
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), a UK government programme delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has granted the investment. This programme aims to strengthen regional economies nationwide by fostering collaboration between local leaders, businesses, and research organisations.
Mayor Claire Ward highlighted the region's historical role in innovation, stating, “The East Midlands is a region of innovators and has been for hundreds of years: we are the birthplace of the modern factory, an innovation that powered the Industrial Revolution and reshaped the world.” She added that current ambitions focus on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and inclusive growth, aiming to support businesses in developing cutting-edge products and new companies.
The investment will support four interconnected projects. These include helping businesses engage with the nuclear supply chain, developing new aircraft technologies, assisting regional SMEs in accessing new markets and supply chain opportunities, and accelerating the growth of innovative CleanTech companies. The East Midlands Investment Zone initiative has also allocated £3.2 million to this programme.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI Chief Executive, commented on the collaborative nature of the projects, noting their potential to create high-quality jobs and attract investment. Professor Myra Conway, University of Derby Provost (Innovation and Research), welcomed the EMCCA's leadership and emphasised the opportunity to build on research strengths in advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Professor Richard Emes from Nottingham Trent University and Professor Tom Rodden from The University of Nottingham also expressed pride in their institutions' roles as delivery partners, focusing on translating research into economic and societal impact.
Professor Daniel Parsons of Loughborough University highlighted the region's significant strengths in advanced manufacturing and clean energy, noting the investment's role in developing future capabilities, particularly within the INFINITY project for advanced manufacturing in nuclear and aerospace technologies.
The East Midlands possesses a nationally significant cluster in advanced manufacturing for clean energy, covering markets such as civil nuclear, aerospace, and defence. This programme aims to enhance the cluster's capabilities and supply chains.
