Kent County Council is supporting regional innovation through several initiatives. They aim to (1) support high-growth businesses through their Innovation and Growth Team, (2) provide business premises to help firms grow, and (3) focus on low-carbon and creative sectors that align with Kent's strengths. However, Kent lags the national average in GDP and new business creation. To close this gap, the council is working to bridge skills shortages and leverage university partnerships. Going forward, challenges include aligning innovation policy locally with national goals and ensuring evidence informs regional delivery.

1. Public sector support for innovation in a regional context: The Kent experience Ross Gill 3 July 2010

3. Kent in context

4. The regional advantage

5. Kent’s economic gap: GVA per head

6. New business: VAT registrations

9. But...

12. Space

13. Sectors

14. Skills % of workforce qualified to NVQ4+

15. The changing political economy