UEA and Hethel Innovation building on solid foundations with new Memorandum of Understanding
By: RIN
UEA and Hethel Innovation have strengthened their longstanding collaborative partnership with the formal signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), recognising a shared commitment to innovation and sustainable economic growth.
The MoU builds on the pre-existing relationship between the two organisations, and a history of collaborating on strategic projects to benefit the region. Most notably, perhaps, was the development of Productivity East as a home for UEA’s School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics and a space where specialist facilities can be used to support collaborations between academia and industry.
UEA and Hethel Innovation also worked together on developing the Broadland Food Innovation Centre and Cluster, the latter of which was led by UEA and has now become Tastebuds Collective; and the Seaweed/Algae Innovation Platform and Seaweed in East Anglia Project.
The new MoU formally recognises these shared areas of interest and seeks to support further collaborative research and innovation, skills development and career opportunities for students and graduates, with activity involving member businesses across all three Hethel Innovation sites – Hethel Engineering Centre, Scottow Enterprise Park, and Broadland Food Innovation Centre.
These strengthened links will improve access to specialist expertise and facilities, as well as leveraging funding and raising the profile of the region, enhancing existing programmes to support business growth and job creation.
Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive at Hethel Innovation, said:
“We are delighted to deepen our long-standing relationship with our friends and collaborators at UEA. This partnership is about more than two organisations working side by side, it is about combining our expertise, resources, and shared vision to supercharge regional businesses with knowledge, innovation, and exceptional talent.
"Graduates and academic research are the lifeblood of business innovation. They bring advanced skills, fresh thinking, and solutions that drive productivity and growth. Through this partnership, we will focus on the areas where business and student collaboration can have the greatest impact — enabling organisational success while creating a launchpad for the next generation of graduate talent.”
UEA Vice Chancellor Prof David Maguire, said:
“Hethel Innovation shares UEA’s vision of solving the challenges of our changing world by working together sustainably, and I am delighted to see our longstanding collaborative relationship go from strength to strength.
“This strategic partnership will provide meaningful and enriching opportunities for our talented students and graduates, as well as promoting innovative and impactful knowledge exchange activities that will help generate the economic conditions in which businesses and individuals in the region can thrive.”
In addition to the MoU, Hethel Innovation has recently signed the UEA Civic Charter, showing support for UEA’s civic mission and demonstrating a shared responsibility to engage with and support local communities.
Sustainability is another key area of shared commitment and interest, and this strategic partnership will see UEA and Hethel Innovation continue working together on CleanTechEast to position the region as a global leader in cleantech, championing clean energy, circular economy, sustainable transport, smart infrastructure, and nature-based solutions.
To find out more about building a collaborative partnership with UEA visit www.uea.ac.uk/business or email business@uea.ac.uk
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