Pictured: Caroline Mairs, head of KUSBP
A new partnership is being launched to encourage and support
high-growth businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
The 'Business and Innovation Group' will see Keele University
Science and Business Park (KUSBP) and Keele University partnering
with Staffordshire University and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce
to provide organisations with specialist and strategic advice. The
team will work closely with the Stoke and Staffordshire Local
Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to deliver the service to companies
across sectors, including professional services, creative, medical,
manufacturing, technology and environmental.
Maitland Hyslop, chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent and
Staffordshire LEP said: "The Business & Innovation Group (BIG)
harnesses key skills and experience in a new partnership model that
will support the region's inward investment teams.
"The Group's key objectives are to help retain and create
successful organisations in the region, raise the profile of the
Universities, improve graduate retention and encourage graduate
start-ups, making a positive contribution to the regional economy
and knowledge base."
"The Business and Innovation Group is a powerful alliance that
draws on the expertise of each of the four partners," commented
Caroline Mairs, head of KUSBP. "KUSBP has an established reputation
for effective business support, North Staffordshire Chamber of
Commerce has represented the interests of local businesses for 200
years, and both Universities offer first-class research facilities
and access to innovation and entrepreneurship. By working together
and combining our strengths, we can offer companies an extensive
range of advice that will support and enhance their future
growth."
Paul Richards, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire
University added: "We have a strong contribution to make to the
success of the Staffordshire economy and a good track record in
supporting enterprise, business start ups and improving the
competitiveness of local firms.
"We are pleased to be working with Keele and the Chamber of
Commerce to benefit the wider region."