Why the North must be at the heart of the UK’s innovation future
Last month, the UK Government announced the recipients of its £54 million Global Talent Fund, designed to attract the world’s top researchers to the UK in sectors like life sciences and digital technologies. But despite the North of England being home to some of the country’s most innovative institutions, not a single northern university was selected.
This decision has sparked a strong response from eight northern mayors, who issued a joint statement calling for urgent reform in how public research and innovation funding is allocated. Their message was clear: the North has the talent, the infrastructure, and the ambition – now it needs the investment.
At York Biotech Campus, we stand firmly behind this call. Here’s why the North is not just deserving of investment, but essential to the UK’s future as a global science superpower:
Home to world-class universities driving breakthroughs
From the University of York just around the corner from us, to leading institutions in Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester, the North is home to research-intensive universities that consistently rank among the best in the UK and globally. These institutions are pioneering work in bioscience, health innovation, AI, and sustainability, and are embedded in their local economies, working hand-in-hand with industry to translate research into real-world impact.
Thriving innovation ecosystems are in place
The North boasts many fantastic science parks and innovation hubs, including ourselves, Sci-Tech Daresbury, and Nexus Leeds… to name a few! These ecosystems foster collaboration between academia, startups, and global companies, accelerating the development of life-changing technologies and creating high-value jobs. What’s more, they house world-leading facilities, making them well positioned to drive research and development forwards for start-ups, up to established organisations.
A culture of collaboration
Collaboration isn’t just encouraged in the North; it’s embedded in the way we work. Northern universities and research centres have a long-standing tradition of partnering with industry across sectors like pharmaceuticals, agritech, digital health, and advanced manufacturing. It’s something we see first-hand at York Biotech Campus. Labskin, a leading skin science company, regularly partners with local universities including University of York and Sheffield Hallum University, whereas Fera collaborates with The University of Newcastle on The Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation.
The exclusion of northern institutions from the Global Talent Fund is a missed opportunity. But it’s not too late to change course. We join our regional leaders in urging UK Research and Innovation to review this decision and work towards a funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all UK regions.
Want to learn more about YBC’s pioneering occupiers and how you can become part of the York Biotech Campus community in Yorkshire? Get in touch.