News & Information

Over 100 people from across the region gathered at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay on 2 & 3 November to see how Higher Education Institutions in the region are supporting business and the economy in the South West. The Government has signalled that HE will be central to developing an economy based on high skills, high value and high levels of innovation and technology. The conference, organised by the Higher Education Regional Development Association, aims to make sure that the South West is at the forefront of those developments.  
 
Ian Powell, Chair of HERDA-SW Executive Committee, speaking at the conference, said 'The event is unique in bringing together people from government, HE, development agencies and businesses in the SW to focus on how HE supports regional business', 'Higher Education already supports businesses in many ways - from enabling them to use world-leading new technologies to developing the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. We are working together in partnership with regional agencies and business to ensure we do even more.' 
 
New funding announced recently by the Government looks like this role for Higher Education is set to expand even further. New money for reaching out to business, for innovation, entrepreneurship and for supporting the start-up of new hi-tech businesses will mean Higher Education in the South West really is good news for business. 
 
Notes to News Editors: 
 
The 'Higher Education Means Business' conference is organised by HERDA-SW the Higher Education Regional Development Association - South West. HERDA-SW is an association of the twelve HE institutions in the South West who established the organisation with the joint aims of extending HE's contribution to sustainable regional development and competitiveness and influencing and shaping the social and economic agenda in the South West by appropriate joint action. 
 
The conference brings together staff from HE involved in business support and regional business-support organisations such as TECs, the Regional Development Agency, Government Office, Small Business Service, Local Authorities and Education Business Links. It will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to play a part in shaping an emerging new agenda for HE, to see the latest practice, meet the key people working at the interface between business and HE, and to get the latest information on regional projects, organisations and sources of funds.

Contact
For further information please contact herda-sw
T: 01392 229579
E: herda-sw@southwestrda.org.uk