Universities in the driving seat for enterprising Midlands Engine growth

Seven Midlands universities have joined forces to drive productivity and economic growth through skills, innovation and enterprise. 

Birmingham City University, Coventry University, De Monfort University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Derby, University of Lincoln and the University of Wolverhampton have collectively launched Midlands Enterprise Universities – a partnership which combines their research, expertise and facilities in order to further increase growth and prosperity across the region. 

The new partnership will provide the Midlands Engine with a powerful resource with which it can meet its ambitious objectives focusing on higher level skills gaps, talent pipeline needs and innovation requirements. Work will also concentrate on further developing the employability and entrepreneurship of students. 

Professor John Latham, Vice Chancellor of Coventry University, said: 

The creation of Midlands Enterprise Universities signals a significant development in the way higher education institutions can contribute to increasing productivity, wealth creation and job opportunities across the Midlands.

Our collective aim is to contribute to Midlands Engine productivity and to support and stimulate innovation in the Midlands’ supply chains. Our combined collaboration with business and employers, coupled with our extended international reach and our renowned presence in our respective local communities positions us perfectly to drive forward the skills, innovation and enterprise agendas within our partner organisations.

Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine said:

I am pleased to see this new collaboration between the region’s universities which further adds to the spirit of partnership and unity being developed across the Midlands Engine region. Their aims align closely with the Midlands Engine ambitions to support sector growth, improve productivity and boost the region’s economy.

Midlands Enterprise Universities will focus on boosting the Health, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Transport Technologies, Creative Digital and Design and Agrifood and Drink industries – all priorities within the Midlands Engine region. Support will concentrate on:

• Improving skills through apprenticeships and work based learning alongside existing degree programmes.
• Providing a talent pipeline through work experience packages tailored to employer and student needs.
• Delivering programmes of collaborative research and innovation support to address the development of new products, processes and services.
• Providing commercial services support to address skills development needs and to tackle organisation issues.

For media enquiries, please contact Mark Farnan, press officer, Coventry University on +44 (0)24 7765 8245 or mark.farnan@coventry.ac.uk. 

About Midlands Enterprise Universities

• Over 126,000 students
• Over 15,000 employees
• Generated over 30,000 jobs
• Invested £161 million in facilities
• A collective turnover of £1.34 billion
• An economic impact of £3.18 billion