Action plan to boost businesses in West Yorkshire is published

Innovate UK, which is  is the UK’s innovation agency, has strengthened its commitment to supporting the region through the launch of a new plan developed in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The plan sets out Innovate UK’s approach to encourage more businesses in West Yorkshire to focus on innovating, which is essential for growth and resilience.

The strategy gives enhanced commitments to share more data and to deliver more outreach activities. For example, through events in West Yorkshire; to actively work to inspire more businesses to invest in R&D; and to support the Mayor’s Innovation Prize – a funding competition for young people to generate new ideas to address the challenges in their communities.

Indro Mukerjee, CEO Innovate UK, said: “There are exciting and significant opportunities to help drive economic and societal improvement through business innovation right across West Yorkshire, and our plan sets out key themes and ambitions to fulfil those opportunities.

“The Innovate UK team is ready to commit to working with partners across the UK nations and regions, across the research and innovation ecosystem and across Government to drive place-based impact.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “West Yorkshire has a proud heritage of globally recognised innovation success, and business leaders have a crucial role in steering what comes next.

“Our new action plan cements the ambitions we have to ensure innovation remains at the heart of survival, resilience and growth so we’re well prepared in times of crisis.

“Working with our local partners, we will harness support and opportunities to help the trailblazers of our region make a positive impact for years to come.”

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding agency investing in science and research in Brtian.

Operating across the country with a combined budget of more than £6bn, UKRI brings together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England.