New Director will strengthen University of York's links with industry
Posted on 10 June 2005
He will lead the University's drive to use its research power to support innovation and economic growth through its Enterprise and Innovation Office. The University of York has spun out 17 new companies in recent years and is part of the Science City York partnership.
Simon Newton has been acting Director of Enterprise and Innovation for a year after leading the University's successful bid for £2.4 million from the Higher Education Innovation Fund. He also wrote the University's response to the Treasury's Lambert Review on Business-University Collaboration.
I believe the University is well positioned to really make an impact in its relationships with industry and the public sector
Simon Newton
The University's Enterprise and Innovation Office based in the Innovation Centre on York Science Park has recruited a team of Business Development Managers with industry experience in IT and Communications, Life Sciences, Health and Medicine, Chemistry, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Creative Media Arts and Heritage. They will work with researchers to foster strong collaborations with industry and professions in all these sectors.
Simon Newton is also chairman of York-based Knowledge Base UK Ltd (in which the University of York is a shareholder) delivering e-learning to businesses and communities regionally, nationally and overseas. He has helped to reshape the board and triple turnover in 18 months to more than £12m.
He said: "I believe the University is well positioned to really make an impact in its relationships with industry and the public sector. Engaging with business and the community is now a core activity for UK universities alongside research and teaching.
"We have brought together a talented new team. The Enterprise and Innovation Office will be creating new enterprises and forging new strategic partnerships with industry and policy makers to create further value from our world class research."
Notes to editors:
- Simon Newton joined the University three years ago after a varied career which started in publishing and has included spells working in communications for the Government and in the private and education sectors. He holds an MBA,and is a director of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of the Impressions Photography Gallery in York.
- The University of York is ranked 6th in the UK for research quality and is the most research-efficient university in the UK.
- The University of York is part of the Science City York partnership which has generated over 9,000 jobs since 1997. Science City places science and technology at the heart of the local economy and aims to create a further 18,000 high technology jobs by 2021. The success of Science City is achieved through the partnership of the University with the City of York Council and through the committed engagement of the private sector.
- York was designated a Science City by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in December 2004. The University of York was cited in the Treasury's Lambert Review as the centre of an 'internationally significant knowledge-intensive cluster'.
- Photographs of Simon Newton are available from the University of York Press Office 01904 432029