PSP builds a bridge with universities
BUSINESS pressure group Private Sector Partners has signed a deal to forge better links with the North West’s academic community.
PSP, the brainchild of business veteran Len Collinson, already represents 24 professional bodies, made up of 140,000 companies employing 1.3 million people.
It has signed an agreement with the North West Universities Association – which represents 14 universities in the region with collective revenues of £2.2bn – to bring together the mutual interests.
The agreement will promote a knowledge transfer between the North West’s universities and businesses. A longer-term ambition is research to facilitate innovation by the region’s firms.
Mr Collinson said: “Universities are an integral part of the economy. However, the task of universities is under intense scrutiny as the Government looks to cut funding in the sector.
“Therefore, there is a real need for greater focus on ‘knowledge transfer’ between businesses and universities. Directors and managers need to know how the universities are reacting to the cuts and how they wish to contribute to businesses.”
NWUAs executive director Keith Burnley, added: “It is vital we communicate the university sector’s ability to assist economic expansion.
“Here in the North West we have a vast wealth of knowledge, skills and innovation for the private sector. We will be championing these through our work with PSP.”
