New appointment signals a new phase for the research partnership as it works with UKRI, government and local authorities to ensure the North’s research strength drives UK-wide prosperity
The N8 Research Partnership held its annual meeting of the Board of Directors and Strategic Executive Group on 5 March at the University of Liverpool. The meeting brought together Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Vice Chancellors for Research from the North’s eight research-intensive universities – Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York – alongside senior representatives from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), central government, local authorities and wider regional partners.
Central to the day’s discussions was how the N8 can work most effectively with its partners to deliver for the North, with shared recognition that national economic growth and prosperity depend on thriving regions.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UKRI, and Tom Riordan, HMG Envoy for the Northern Growth Corridor, engaged directly with the partnership on how N8 universities and government can work in closer step to deliver on shared ambitions for research, innovation and regional growth, with a clear steer that focused effort and specialisation will be key to maximising the North’s impact.
The year-on-year increase in public R&D funding represents a significant and very welcome vote of confidence from the government in the UK’s research and innovation community, and the partnership discussed the potential of the new UKRI bucket model, which provides a more streamlined approach to investment and gives clear indication of where the government wants to see effort directed in order to achieve positive outcomes for the public. The N8 is committed to working in partnership with UKRI and the government to align with those priorities and help deliver outcomes including economic growth, increased productivity and strengthened innovation capacity across the North.
The partnership also discussed how N8 universities can best engage with regional stakeholders to drive innovation and growth across the North. Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, brought the perspective of the region’s civic and economic leaders to that conversation, reflecting the growing role of mayors and combined authorities in shaping the North’s innovation agenda. With devolved powers expanding, N8 universities are well-positioned to anchor the region’s innovation ecosystem and work hand-in-hand with local leaders to deliver this ambition.
The meeting also marked a significant moment for the N8 with the introduction of Dr Colin Tattam as incoming Director, who will take up the role in June. Currently an Executive Director within Innovate UK Business Connect, Colin brings extensive experience of research and innovation partnerships. His appointment marks the start of a new phase for the N8, building on the partnership’s strong 20-year legacy with renewed focus on delivering tangible outcomes for the region.
“The N8 is built on trust, on relationships, and on the belief that universities working together can achieve far more than any one institution working alone. The discussions were honest, thought-provoking and a genuine reflection of the strength of the partnerships we have built. I am grateful to all our partners for their openness and commitment. We are ready to work together and in partnership with UKRI, Government and industry to ensure the North plays its full part in driving growth and prosperity for the whole of the UK.”
Professor Tim Jones, Chair, N8 Board of Directors, and Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool
“It was a pleasure to meet colleagues and partners in Liverpool and to see first-hand the strength of the N8 partnership. The eight universities together represent an extraordinary concentration of research excellence and civic leadership. I’m looking forward to working with the partnership and our external partners to translate that collective strength into ambitious programmes, strong collaborations and real impact for the North and the UK.”
Dr Colin Tattam, Incoming Director for the N8 Research Partnership