Launch of University Enterprise Zone will help kickstart Staffordshire economy

Business and political leaders have welcomed the launch of Staffordshire University’s new Innovation Enterprise Zone (IEZ) which aims to kickstart business growth and productivity

Staffordshire University is one of 20 University Enterprise Zones (UEZs), announced last September and launched with a £20 million investment by Research England.

The investment has funded new incubation space and a hatchery for start-up companies in the Mellor Building on the University’s main Stoke-on-Trent campus. It has also funded new Innovation labs, which is equipped with the very latest advanced materials and advanced manufacturing technology, for use by companies wanting to design, prototype and test new products.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones said: ”We see this as part of our Civic responsibility. We have an important part to play in creating high-value jobs that our graduates can apply for, to drive innovation and growth in specialist areas and provide SMEs with a vital stepping-stone to succeed.

“The IEZ is our ecosystem in that is it bringing together the businesses, the technology, research and academic expertise in an environment that allows ideas to flourish and innovation to grow. It’s important we act now to help the region’s economic recovery from COVID-19.”

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, praised the investment in state-of-the-art laboratories, new materials testing and research and development facilities.

“The sort of resource Staffordshire University is offering going to be fantastic in helping companies go from being small to a bit bigger and if we can do that across the board we’d have a completely difference economic base very quickly and that will make a massive difference to the economy and to the opportunities for people across Staffordshire.”

Alun Rogers Chair of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP added: “As we move from response to recovery its about getting the economy going again, starting to tackle the issues around unemployment and at that point you need as much stimulation as possible and bringing universities and businesses together is a critical way of doing that.”

MP for Stoke Central Jo Gideon said: “This is an exciting investment in facilities and expertise that could make a real difference to forward thinking SMEs in our area. Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently agreed to join me for a virtual tour of Stoke-on-Trent and roundtable with key partners and the Innovation Enterprise Zone is precisely the kind of initiative that deserves to be showcased. I hope it will act as a catalyst for further investment in the infrastructure of our city region, enabling us to level-up.”

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We have been shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people are studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.