Marine-i 2030 New Horizons conference shows the way forward for RDI in the region
On 12th July 2018, nearly 100 delegates convened at China Fleet Country Club for this unique one-day event organised by the Marine-i project team. The overall aim of this conference was to explore the future landscape for Research, Development and Innovation in the South West. Marine-i wanted to share learnings from a number of contrasting individuals and organisations that could inspire new ways in which to foster a more effective innovation culture for high-tech businesses.
Matt Hodson, Marine Hub Cornwall Operations Director, gave
an introduction to the scope of the day and this was followed by the Opening
Brief, which was presented by Professor
Lars Johanning from the University of Exeter, Marine-i Lead Partner. He
described the work of the Marine-i programme and how it is boosting innovation
in marine technology in Cornwall, with 35 businesses supported so far and £3.85
million of Marine Challenge Fund grants currently in progress.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Richard Noble OBE, who spoke about “the exciting ability of a small
team to achieve outstanding results.” He stressed that it is important that
everyone in the team is given full authority and responsibility, and that they
are “as resilient as hell and won’t take no for an answer.” Richard is using
the exciting story of the Bloodhound SSC and its related programme of
activities to inspire a whole new generation of scientists and engineers.
Kim Conchie, CEO
of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the fact that only 9% of Cornish
SMEs are currently involved in export. It is vital that they continue to
receive support into the future and new opportunities for collaboration. Kim
described the various future funding steams that are available, including the
Shared Prosperity Fund, InnovateUK, and the Local Industrial Strategy. He also
called for closer and more productive collaboration between business, academia
and the public sector.
This latter point was picked up by Johan Wasberg, Development Director at Technology Centre Oy
Merinova Ab in Finland. Johan detailed some of the work being carried out in
Finland to create fast and flexible innovation models. He described the ‘Triple
Helix’ model which aims to achieve a more coordinated approach to innovation,
with academia, public sector and business all working towards shared goals.
Adrian Dawson,
Director of Research & Innovation at the University of Plymouth, gave an
overview of EU funding and pointed out that, although this has been a superb
benefit for the region, it is important to realise that there are limitations
and drawbacks. Aspects such as geographical boundaries and strict output
requirements may sometimes interfere with what is best for businesses.
Post-Brexit there would be an opportunity to take a completely fresh look at
how funding will operate in the region in the future.
Simon Cheeseman
from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (another Marine-i partner) spoke
about the work they are doing to develop, test and commercialise new technology
solutions in the offshore renewables industry. On the topic of financial
support, Simon flagged up the fact that there is a range of US-based funds
which UK businesses can potentially tap into.
Trevor Howard,
Business Development Director at Triskel Marine, told the story of his company
and how they have innovated across a range of marine applications, including
hybrid propulsion systems for smaller marine vessels. Trevor raised his concern
that grant funding may, in some circumstances, stifle innovation as it can
represent a short-term fix rather than a long-term commercial solution. Triskel
Marine themselves have managed to attract substantial commercial investment
from a corporate partner based in the USA.
Sean Fielding,
Director of Innovation and Business at the University of Exeter, explained the
concept of a ‘Vortex University’, a model which originated out of the
University of California at Berkeley. The aim is to create a create a positive
vortex by building the R&D base in the local area, being committed to
developing the local talent pool, and creating a culture that stimulates
entrepreneurship and business acceleration.
Robert Salvoni is
a Non-Executive Director of Bluefruit, a company which specialises in embedded
software. He cited the compelling example of Estonia, a small country which has
taken a novel approach to developing a strong tech culture. A core driver of
their success has been the ethos of “shedding legacy thinking.” Robert strongly
advocated the development of fresh thinking in the South West and the letting
go of old, outmoded models. He quoted the writer William Faulkner who said:
“You can’t swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of
the shore.”
There were then 90 minutes of panel sessions chaired by Nick Lambert on the theme of: What
should RDI look like in the future? This gave delegates the chance to voice
their views and suggestions, as well as ask questions of the two expert panels.
The day concluded with the presentation of the New Horizons Awards, which have been
designed to spotlight exceptional business talent and technological innovation
in Cornwall. The three winners were as follows:
Triskel Marine won
the Cornwall First Award. In the
judges’ opinion they have made an outstanding RDI contribution to putting
Cornwall on the map in their field of business;
ARC Marine
received the Technology Innovation Award,
for their outstanding contribution to technology innovation;