Joining Science, Business, Policy with Higher Education Institutions in Greater Manchester

1. Universities as Regenerators
20 May 2015
Helen Wilding
Deputy Director, Business and Science Policy

2. Role of Universities
• Intellectual powerhouse and generators of ideas
• Civic leadership – anchor institutions
• Leader and broker of partnerships with industry,
other HEIs
• Key factor in making GM vibrant, ambitious and
interesting place to live
• Global links including to emerging markets.
• Significant local employer and staff and student
spend

3. Opportunities and Challenges
• Northern Powerhouse & Devolution
• Commercialisation
• Collaboration across (and within) HEIs
• Internationalisation
• Research funding
• Attracting and retaining the right talent – including
from overseas
• Ensuring all of GM can benefit from our excellent
HEIs
• Sustainability: changing financial and technological
environment