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Members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee visited the Manufacturing Technology Centre to hear how research and innovation is creating new jobs and boosting economic growth across the West Midlands.
The committee met with Clive Hickman, chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, and Katherine Bennett CBE, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. The group toured the MTC’s Antsy Park campus to see first-hand the advanced research and development (R&D) work taking place across the site.
MPs were shown the MTC’s work to support a consortium of UK manufacturers in helping produce more than 11,000 ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also saw how the MTC is working to help modernise the construction sector through new manufacturing approaches and technologies, as part of the Construction Innovation Hub.
MPs heard how the MTC's worldbeating facilities are helping the UK become a world leader in green manufacturing and construction, with its expertise of turning ideas developed through research into a reality. The West Midlands technology sector is the fastest growing in the UK and is set to add £2.7 billion to the economy by 2025, along with 52,000 jobs.
As part of the evidence session held during the visit, the committee discussed opportunities for economic growth created by technology, research and innovation, and measures needed to support and accelerate R&D in the UK as the country recovers from disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clive Hickman, chief executive of the MTC, said: “We’re delighted to have hosted the Science and Technology Select Committee to showcase our proud manufacturing heritage, record of attracting business investment, and specialist talent and expertise. The MTC is helping manufacturers adopt cuttingedge technology, delivering growth, skills and jobs. It’s vital that the government continues to invest in research and innovation to spearhead our economic recovery and accelerate the growth of our industrial heartlands.”
MP visit showcases manufacturing innovation
For more information visit www.the-mtc.org
Influential educator scoops prestigious award
A Coventry educator has picked up a global prize for representing women in the video game industry.
Shoubna Naika-Taylor, curriculum lead for digital and esports manager at Coventry College, has been named top educator in the rising stars category at The*gameHERs Awards 2021.
Of the 37 global winners across six categories including charity, content creation, esports, game development, marketing and rising stars, Shoubna is one of only three from the UK.
The*gameHERs Awards states that its top educator accolade is “for the woman and/or femme identifying educator that has worked relentlessly to bring new and exciting voices into the gaming space through education, leadership and mentorship to our next generation of the gaming industry”.
Shoubna, who is esports team manager for Coventry Crosshairs, was named North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) Scholastic Fellow in September, working with colleges across the region to implement esports into their curriculum. The organisation helps students around the world use esports as a way of connecting learning and play.
Shoubna has overseen the success of Coventry Crosshairs since its launch in 2019. The team is hugely popular with students and considered one of the best in the country, with esports now offered as a level 3 diploma at the college.
She said: “I’m honoured to receive this award and I’d like to thank the Coventry Crosshairs community, current members and alumni, the staff and students at Coventry College and my friends and family who have supported me along the way. I’ve been motivated by each and every one of them.”
Gemma Knott, vice principal for business growth, engagement and partnerships at Coventry College, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we’re extremely proud of Shoubna for the work that she does raising the platform of esports at the college and across the region.”
Shoubna Naika-Taylor, Curriculum Lead for Digital and Esports Manager at Coventry College
Ambitious rebrand set to disrupt an industry
Few companies can boast the enviable expansion that CTT Group has had in recent years. However, the growth of several corporate entities had transformed the business into a mythological being.
Formerly known as Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation, the company had initially tasked Warwick-based digital marketing agency Formation with a redesign for its website. However, it quickly became apparent that the business required more than a freshcoat of paint on its digital walls.
Martin Gordon of Formation said: “At the start of this process, we delivered a value proposition session where we asked Countrywide’s directors to describe what the company did and who their clients were. This identified two very distinctive customer bases with different needs.”
Firstly, the professional adviser community looked to them for advice and support across a range of disciplines. Secondly, the end-user – members of the general public – sought estate planning, financial advisory, tax, trust and executor services. Countrywide’s collective offering was subsequently broken down into individually positioned sub-sites for legal, accountancy, private client, professional services and tax & trust under the umbrella of CTT Group, with the firm’s market-leading drafting software Legacy also finding a home within the group.
With the value proposition complete, CTT set a genuine direction for the new offering as a group of specialists offering a support mechanism to the professional adviser community. An ambitious rebrand then got underway, giving the company a clean, dynamic and contemporary look, with new logos and websites, providing clients with a dedicated hub and clear signposting to the services they require.
Andrew Houston, CTT Group director, said: “This transformation will put us at the forefront of digitisation, help enhance our brand image and provide a clear distinction between our two key clients – the advisers and the direct public.
“The rebrand brings a fresh, modern look to the company, reflecting our innovative aspirations and unique offering to the adviser community.”
For more information visit www.ctt-group.co.uk
Dozens of students across Coventry have had the chance to develop their digital skills thanks to a STEM programme funded by CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform.
CityFibre, which is investing more than £72.5m to bring full fibre digital connectivity to homes and businesses throughout Coventry, sponsored the provision of STEM Day+ sessions for three local secondary schools: Cardinal Newman School, Lyng Hall School and Cardinal Wiseman School.
The interactive workshops, which are run by educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, introduced students to the exciting world of engineering, with the aim of inspiring young people who are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology and mathematics.
During the sessions, students took part in an autonomous vehicle challenge, which encouraged them to explore the potential of driverless cars and their use within society. Using Lego Mindstorms and iPads, participants were challenged to build their own vehicles using sensors to navigate around a city without any human interaction.
Students were also tasked with creating a logo and unique branding for their car, while also devising a mini marketing and sales strategy for the launch of the product, before presenting their ideas to the group.
Leigh Hunt, CityFibre’s city manager for Coventry, said: “For full fibre to be used to its full advantage, it needs young people armed with the skills and knowledge needed to use it and realise the benefits and future potential it brings. Workshops offered by the likes of The Smallpeice Trust are vital in teaching kids the skills they need and we’re proud to support them.”
Dr Kevin P. Stenson, CEO of The Smallpeice Trust, said: “This day was designed to help students learn new skills in construction, design, public speaking and project management, whilst also building their knowledge on autonomous vehicles, sensors and robotics.
“We want young people who are into science, technology, engineering and maths to live in a world that celebrates their passion and supports their vision for the future.”
For more information visit www.cityfibre.com/PRRegister
CityFibre supports Coventry schools’ digital challenge
Glued supports greenhouse maker
Keder Greenhouse manufactures market-leading greenhouses and has looked to Glued to support its sustainable future.
Together with the help of Rob Harrison at Glued, Keder caters for the increasing demand for greenhouses that can withstand our changing climate.
Currently, Keder builds the best and strongest greenhouses available in the UK today. They’re designed and created to bring the best-growing environment for crops and plants. With new orders coming from hobbyists and committed domestic gardeners, Keder was keen to find out the real reasons why.
Not wanting to rest on its laurels, Keder Greenhouses invested in independent research by Glued to get a true understanding. Glued is conducting conversations with a range of Keder customers from across the UK and in France.
With the backing of Glued, Keder promised to respond to the shifts in our current climate and the interest in self-sufficiency, coming out of the pandemic, to support a sustainable future for gardeners wishing to extend their growing season and increase their yields.
Colin Moore, CEO of Keder, said: “Our commitment to a changing climate means we are looking for innovative ways to combat challenging growing environments and are delighted to have Glued on board to support us. We really want to understand our market and innovate to support people who wish to continue to grow in environments with challenging weather. We aim to create a solution for the sustainable future of greenhousing.”
