On Tuesday 5 November 2024, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham visited Cambridge to celebrate and further cement a groundbreaking partnership between the two cities' innovation ecosystems. The collaboration, which was officially launched in 2023, is aimed at leveraging the combined strengths of Manchester and Cambridge to fuel the growth of start-ups, attract investment, and foster inclusive economic development across the UK.
"This partnership is breaking new ground, linking the North of England with the Golden triangle to drive regional and national economic growth."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
The visit marked an important step forward in this trailblazing collaboration, which is the first of its kind in the UK. Leading academic, business and civil figures from both cities were in attendance including: Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; Professor Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester; Professor Lou Cordwell, Professor of Innovation, University of Manchester; Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, University of Cambridge and Dr Kathryn Chapman, Executive Director, Innovate Cambridge.
The delegation also included representatives from the business community, including AstraZeneca, which is deepening its support for entrepreneurial ventures through mentorship and collaboration.
Strengthening connections between two powerhouses
The day began with a tour of Cambridge’s West Innovation District, an area known for its cutting-edge facilities and academic institutions. The tour was led by Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, who highlighted the district’s role in driving forward innovation in areas ranging from aerospace to zero-carbon technologies. One key stop was the world-famous Whittle Laboratory, renowned for its work on decarbonising aviation, and the new Cavendish Laboratory, which hosts the University’s Physics department and supports the creation of innovative start-ups.
At the Cambridge Graphene Centre, Professor Andrea Ferrari, Director of the Centre, was joined by Manchester University colleagues to welcome Mayor Burnham and Dr Johnson for an in-depth session focused on graphene research and the ongoing collaboration with Manchester’s National Graphene Institute.
Discussions centred around the commercialisation of cutting-edge research from both institutions and the potential for scaling these innovations in both cities. Spinout companies Paragraf and Versarian spoke about the opportunities the partnership could unlock for future collaboration, talent exchange, and investment.
AstraZeneca Expands Mentorship Programme to Manchester
Another highlight of the day was a visit to AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre (DISC) in the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where the company announced that its ‘AstraZeneca Exchange’ mentorship programme would be expanded to support entrepreneurs and start-ups in Greater Manchester. The programme, which is already active in Cambridge, connects start-ups with AstraZeneca’s network of scientific and business experts, providing invaluable support to early-stage ventures.
Inclusive innovation and regional growth
A key theme of the visit was ensuring that innovation-driven growth benefits all communities. This commitment to inclusive innovation was explored during a roundtable discussion, which included representatives from the Bennett Institute for Public Policy in Cambridge and The Productivity Institute in Manchester. The conversation centred around how innovation can be made more accessible to economically lagging regions and marginalised groups, and how to ensure that the fruits of innovation are equitably distributed.
Professor Andy Westwood, Policy Director at The Productivity Institute and Professor Mike Kenny, Director of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy both addressed the group, with Professor Kenny presenting a newly launched report, 'Townscapes: Making Innovation More Inclusive'.
The report is the product of collaboration between the two Institutes and explores how innovation can address regional disparities.“An inclusive approach to innovation focuses not only on the process and outcomes of innovation, but also considers who is involved in it, what are the social and economic conditions that foster it, and perhaps most importantly, keeps in mind which places and communities benefit from innovation” said Professor Kenny.
This commitment to inclusive innovation was further reflected in the opening of The Glasshouse, a new facility from Innovate Cambridge dedicated to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. The Glasshouse will serve as a hub and incubator for new ideas and technologies, providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for start-ups.
A partnership for the future
As the day concluded, Mayor Burnham reflected on the immense potential of the partnership between Greater Manchester and Cambridge:
“Greater Manchester and Cambridge are two world-renowned centres of innovation. This partnership is breaking new ground, linking the North of England with the Golden triangle to drive regional and national economic growth. We also share an ambition for growth that benefits everyone, with more people and businesses able to access the opportunities created by innovation.
“Our two places have distinct identities and unique strengths, but we also have a lot in common – world-leading universities and dynamic, fast-growing economies. By working together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts.”
With both cities continuing to push the boundaries of scientific and technological advancements, the partnership between Greater Manchester and Cambridge is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s future innovation landscape.The visit has underscored the shared commitment to advancing regional growth, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are felt by all.
The Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, Professor Deborah Prentice said: "This collaboration between our two cities and universities is a testament to our shared ambition and the immense opportunities ahead. Over the past five years, we've seen thousands of co-publications as well as deep collaboration in graphene and materials research, showcasing the power of our joint efforts. This partnership isn’t just about what we’ve achieved; it’s about what we’re building—a dynamic platform to connect and strengthen our innovation ecosystems for the future."
This Cambridge x Manchester collaboration promises to be more than just a stepping stone—it's a foundation for the future of innovation in the UK.
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge.
