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Top senior civil servants visit University on fact-finding mission to foster innovation and growth in Yorkshire

Posted on 13 November 2024

A delegation of business, trade and treasury senior civil servants have visited the University of York as part of a fact-finding mission to explore future opportunities for innovation and growth in the region.

Professor James Chong (right) with Jo Crellin, Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports at the Department for Business and Trade and Sam Lister, Director General for Industrial Strategy at the Department for Business and Trade. Professor Chong discussed his project in partnership with Yorkshire Water to develop anaerobic digestion processes to recover resources from waste.

Hosted by The York Policy Engine and the Darlington Economic Campus, the visit featured a tour of the BioYorkshire lab and the Institute for Safe Autonomy - world-class facilities at the forefront of scientific research and innovation in the bioeconomy and autonomous systems. 

Six government departments

The delegation included senior civil servants Beth Russell and Jo Crellin. In total, representatives from six government departments were in attendance.

Beth Russell is Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury based in the Darlington Economic Campus. She has worked in the Treasury since 2000 in a range of policy roles across tax, welfare and public spending.

Jo Crellin became Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports at the Department for Business and Trade in March 2024. She has worked for the UK government since 2001 and was previously Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Latin America and the Caribbean. Jo is now based in Darlington.

Newly-elected Mayor for York and North Yorkshire David Skaith, who was elected in May, joined the delegation along with University Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery.

Regional economic growth

These influential leaders shared their insights on the future of innovation and the role of universities in driving regional economic growth.

The discussions delved into the critical role of research and development (R&D) clusters in stimulating regional economic growth.

Professor Jeffery said: “As a sector we have long argued that universities are anchors of economic development for our cities and regions; we provide the expertise and resources to allow innovative ideas to make the leap from concept to reality. 

“BioYorkshire is tackling biodiversity loss and climate change by translating research discoveries into full-scale biotechnology applications, leading to investment and job creation in the region.

“Research into novel technologies has long been a focus for York experts, and the Institute for Safe Autonomy demonstrates that in order for the UK to become world leaders in AI, we must focus on all elements, from technical development and safety assurances to ethics and regulation.”

David Skaith said: “York and North Yorkshire have an exciting story to tell when it comes to science and innovation. When we combine the strengths across our universities with our unique capability as a largely rural area, we unlock opportunities for regional economic growth that aren’t yet fully realised.

“As Mayor, I want to ensure that the government know how York and North Yorkshire can contribute to nationally significant issues, such as food security, clean energy and reaching Net Zero targets. Working together as partners, we are ambitious and ready to drive growth regionally that will see our economy and our communities thrive.”

Listen and learn

Beth Russell said: “Having the Darlington Economic Campus as our second headquarters gives the Treasury the opportunity to listen and learn lessons from the North East, bringing those insights into the national policy making conversations.

“Our visit comes off the back of a Budget which invested for the long-term in regional economic growth - empowering local leaders and supporting innovation to help realise the potential of communities like York.” 

Jo Crellin said: “Our presence in Darlington links us into the brilliant research coming out of the region and it's been great to see this innovation in action at the University of York.

"Our modern industrial strategy will focus on the industries of the future and these insights into new technologies will play a critical role in our mission to grow the economy and create opportunities around the country.” 

Vital technology

The visit began with a tour of the research facilities at the Centre for Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion (CEAD).

CEAD is a partnership between the University and Yorkshire Water and is part of a £1.2m project that enables greater understanding of the processes behind anaerobic digestion (AD). 

AD turns waste materials into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser. It is seen as a vital technology in increasing the sustainability of industry and reducing carbon emissions, while helping the region shift to a low-carbon economy.

BioYorkshire is a ten year-project which brings together scientists and industry experts from the University of York, Askham Bryan College and Fera Science Ltd. It aims to transform Yorkshire into the UK’s hub for green innovation and enterprise, while supporting the region’s ambitions to become carbon negative.

The project will develop bio-based supplies of fuel, chemicals and materials, working with the region’s farmers and agricultural industries to drive innovation, and enable more productive and sustainable crop production and land use.

Experimental laboratories 

The Institute for Safe Autonomy is the only research institute in the world dedicated to safe autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). It is a ‘living lab’ that provides research and development space for autonomous systems operating on the ground, underwater and in the air.

The £45 million facility, the first UK research Institute to focus on the safety of autonomous systems, combines a range of experimental laboratories in robotics, advanced communications and quantum communications. 

ISA assurance experts are world-leading and provide pragmatic and practical approaches to the safety of systems that use AI and ML.

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