INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath by Sven Boermeester

Volume 1

BRISTOL & BATH InnovationsoftheWorld.com

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Photo by: Matthew Perks, Perkspective Photography

WE WANT INNOVATE BRISTOL & BATH TO SERVE THIS REGION BY SHOWCASING ALL IT HAS TO OFFER. TM

NATALIA RODRÍGUEZ NOVÁS PUBLISHING PARTNER, GLOBAL VILLAGE PUBLISHING

Photo by: Matthew Perks, Perkspective Photography 1

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Following the successful launch of INNOVATE™ Bristol (2019), I am proud to present to you INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath (2021). A celebration of the region’s most exciting innovations and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Every single one of the stories within the publication has been carefully chosen to guide you on a journey across the region, and offer you a glimpse into the future. We produced this book throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, a time that felt like there wasn’t anything good happening in the world. Well I believe that, with over 350 pages and 150 success stories within this publication alone, The West of England certainly has plenty of good news to share. As a Journalist, it has been a great privilege to hear these fascinating stories first hand. The resilience, perseverance and optimism from these entrepreneurs is contagious. It is a true honour to now share these stories with you through this stunning book, which we hope you enjoy as much as we did while producing it. Welcome, to The West of England!

BUILDING BRIDGES Celebrating a region with so many exceptional bridges, such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Pulteney Bridge or the Severn Bridge, gave me the perfect metaphor to explain the purpose of this book: Create connections. As we all recover from a challenging 2020, we want INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath to serve this region by showcasing all it has to offer. This is, ultimately, the most rewarding part of our role as Publishers: Building bridges for innovators and entrepreneurs to share their stories, connect with peers across the world, collaborate, grow and INNOVATE together.

THANK YOU To The West of England Combined Authority for making this book possible by being our Ecosystem Partner. Working with their team has been an absolute joy since day one. It has been impressive to witness the monumental work this organisation is doing to foster and support innovation in the region. Also, our gratitude goes to all the innovators who are featured in the book. Thank you for believing in this project, and allowing us to share your fascinating stories with the world - INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath wouldn’t be possible without your support. Thank you, to Global Village Publishing for all the hard work to bring this book to life. Such a publication would not be possible without our Producers, Designers, Printers & Distributors. Finally, a very special thank you to my husband Andrés, and our daughter Anna. For their inexhaustible support in every project I choose to pursue. This is all for you.

Natalia has a Degree in Social Communication and a Master’s Degree in Corporate & Political Communication. Being a multi-passionate professional, she’s enthusiastic about all things digital, innovation, networking and social entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Natalia is a Wellness Advocate and Certified Essential Oil Specialist with doTERRA, and shares natural solutions to improve the busy lifestyle of families around the world. Originally from Caracas (Venezuela), with a strong Spanish heritage, Natalia currently lives in Lausanne (Switzerland) with her husband Andrés and their daughter Anna.

#InnovateBristolBath nataliarodrigueznovas naturodriguez

naturodriguez.co

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The “INNOVATETM Bristol & Bath” Team would like to give a special thanks to all the participants and the following companies for their support and assistance in making this project a reality.

Meet the people that are building a better Bristol & Bath for tomorrow

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

INNOVATETM BRISTOL & BATH: A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE AND MORE. SVEN BOERMEESTER, FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER

Sven Boermeester, Founder/CEO, International Group Publisher with Callie Van Graan, Global Village COO

INNOVATETM Bristol & Bath showcases the best of the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Embedded in its pages, you will find augmented reality videos that accompany certain features, and when you use the free GLOBAL VILLAGE AR app, the world of the future will open up before your very eyes.

exciting changes that have recently transpired in the Bristol & Bath ecosystem, and who play or want to play an active role in its growth and development. This inaugural edition of INNOVATETM Bristol & Bath is just part of a global series. We are currently launching volumes in cities throughout the GlobalVillage.world publishing partnership network.

But INNOVATETM Bristol & Bath is far more than a tech-enabled publication; it is a multimedia experience centered around the deluxe hardcover coffee-table book you are now holding, which includes AR videos, an online web platform, and multilevel social media networking. Online, the full eBook will be viewed in the millions through the InnovationsoftheWorld.com library.

By experiencing INNOVATETM Bristol & Bath, you are part of our Global Village network, and we are happy to have you. I trust you will join us as we continue the journey of the INNOVATETM series. Sven Boermeester Founder/CEO International Group Publisher

This publication aims to celebrate those involved in the Bristol & Bath ecosystem, but it is also meant for all business leaders and decisionmakers who can effect change in their industries throughout the United Kingdom and throughout the world. We publish INNOVATE TM Bristol & Bath for the open-minded folk who want to know more about the

Belinda Van Graan CMO

Sue Rooney Operations Manager

Susan Heiman Art & Design

Sarah Nieman Production Manager

Ravi Handve Art & Design

CONTENTS

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

07 23 41 67 CHAPTER ONE

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

CHAPTER TWO

THOUGHT LEADERS

CHAPTER THREE

FLIGHT

CHAPTER FOUR

MOBILITY

171 187 215 227 CHAPTER TEN

NUCLEAR

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EDUCATION

CHAPTER TWELVE

WORK

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

INNOVATION ENABLERS

THE FUTURE OF... Global Village CEO Sven Boermeester

Publishing Partner Natalia Rodríguez Novás

Operations Manager Sue Rooney

Global Village COO Callie Van Graan

Art Direction & Design Ravi Handve Susan Heiman

info@globalvillage.world www.InnovationsoftheWorld.com www.GlobalVillage.world

Global Village CMO Belinda Van Graan

Production Manager Sarah Nieman

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

81 93 109 127 153 CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER FIVE

ADVANCED ENGINEERING

ROBOTICS

CHAPTER SEVEN

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

CHAPTER EIGHT

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

CHAPTER NINE

ENERGY

269 305 317 341 359 CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

FOOD & DRINK

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ENTERTAINMENT

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

FINTECH

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

DOWNLOAD THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AR APP TO ENJOY THE AUGMENTED REALITY VIDEOS IN THIS BOOK!

To experience the future of print, download the Global Village AR App from the IOS or Android App stores. Open the App and hold it about 30cm above any page that contains an image with the “play” Icon.

Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The “INNOVATE® Bristol & Bath” vol 1. Neither “INNOVATE® Bristol & Bath” nor Global Village assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted, or modified in any form or by any means.

“The future depends on what you do today.” — MAHATMA GANDHI

CHAPTER 1

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Photo by: Matthew Perks, Perkspective Photography

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Welcome to Bristol & Bath The West of England is a place where creative, digital and high tech meet traditional industry. Our region is highly collaborative, with research and development (R&D), academia, industry and the public sector working together across multiple sectors – an approach which has made us the home to the UK’s most productive tech cluster.

A dedicated regional network including Future Space, Engine Shed and the Bristol & Bath Science Park provides the space, expertise and support to accelerate companies’ innovation and growth. We’re home to SETsquared Bristol and Bath, the world’s number 1 university business accelerator, while smaller centres such as the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme and Bath based Rocketmakers work alongside specialist facilities like Unit DX, the Health Tech Hub and Bristol Robotics Laboratory to catapult businesses into the future.

We’re proud of our internationally recognised centres of excellence and academic institutions, and the pioneering businesses that start-up, scale up and succeed here - including two unicorns: AI chip designer Graphcore and clean energy provider OVO Energy. Business start-ups and spin-outs are growing rapidly thanks to some of the best incubator support in the world.

With a population of over 1.1 million, the West of England is a place where highly-skilled people live, ideas flourish, and businesses grow.

Bristol Robotics Lab

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Castle Park and Finzels Reach, Bristol

OUR STRATEGY: MAKING A GLOBAL IMPACT

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need to innovate and adapt the way we live and do business. The West of England’s Recovery Plan recognises the crisis also presents opportunities to find new ways of doing things and increase resilience – particularly through digital transformation. Innovation will bring productivity gains to a wide range of sectors, create new skills and employment opportunities for our residents, and help the shift towards a low-carbon economy.

The West of England is finding new ways of doing things that are more efficient, more sustainable and more productive. The West of England’s Local Industrial Strategy, led by the West of England Combined Authority, highlights our strengths as a region of innovation and opportunity. We understand that diversity breeds creativity, and the benefits of a strategic approach to fuel sector development. Our strategy focuses on innovation that crosses sectors and communities, to tackle global, systemic challenges that are relevant to the region, such as climate and biodiversity emergencies, healthy living, mobility, digital transformation and inclusivity.

Our region is accelerating innovation, with a clear focus on sustainability, inclusivity and cross-sectoral collaboration. This approach will ensure our region remains a thriving, successful place for the future where the environment is protected for future generations.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY

Innovation from our region plays a key role in the shift to a low carbon economy globally. In the West of England, we’re already leading the way; carbon emissions have reduced 35% since 2005, and we’re home to a thriving low carbon sector. With our strong capabilities in R&D across aerospace and advanced engineering, digital and tech, our expertise, coupled with our dynamic and collaborative ecosystems, means that we are a place that is creating and leading the global industrial transition to clean energy and clean economic growth.

B A T H

The Future Transport Zone (FTZ) programme is trialling innovative new solutions, powered by digital technologies, to make public transport better and more connected within local communities. Providing last-mile transport options to connect more people to public transport, it will combine journey-planning and ticketing in a convenient mobile application to make it easier to use and pay for public transport. From e-scooters to e-cargo bikes and a transportation data hub, the FTZ will create seamless journeys from A to B.

CROSS SECTORAL COLLABORATION

Achieving net zero will require a sustained whole system approach, and our focus is on bringing together key private, public, and civic organisations to address systemic challenges. We are investing significantly to accelerate innovation that will reduce carbon emissions and create the sustainable products and processes of the future, including:

Across the West of England, there are a host of incredible, collaborative initiatives which form the bedrock of our innovation ecosystem. We focus on creating cross-sectoral collaboration, uniting people from diverse backgrounds and drawing on different areas of expertise. With R&D, academia, industry and the public sector working together, our approach has led to collaborative networks such as:

The Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS). IAAPS will ultimately change the future of automotive travel through the combination of academic rigour with a commercial focus to accelerate the development of ultra-low emission vehicle technologies. Innovations developed here will fundamentally influence the future of industry, not just for the benefit of our residents but across the UK and beyond. IAAPS works with industry, inventors, researchers and academics to deliver rapid research and innovation that will accelerate the transition from low carbon to zero carbon vehicles.

The Digital Engineering, Technology and Innovation (DETI) programme. DETI is a research, innovation and skills initiative, developing and accelerating digital engineering across multiple industry sectors. DETI will identify and develop the tools, technologies, processes and skills needed to accelerate digital engineering and the sustainable products of the future.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

locative media, allowing them to sample a wide range of the future applications of 5G technology and its potential to transform tourism and commercial activity in the West of England, as well as supporting the emergency services and managing safety at events. Our successful 5G trials hold the key to a more connected, more advanced and sustainable future.

TALENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY Bristol & Bath is home to the most skilled workforce of any English city-region. The region has a highly skilled workforce, with 10,000 graduates from our four top universities joining the talent pool each year. Our region also attracts diverse, highly motivated people across sectors including: digital, creative, health, engineering, legal and financial services each year. Architect’s aerial view of new IAAPS facility at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

DETI will lead to shorter product development times, faster routes to market and through-life product sustainability for some of the most complex products in the world.

DETI brings together leading companies, technology disruptors and universities to push the boundaries of digitally enabled engineering to address global challenges. DETI is delivered by the National Composites Centre (NCC), a world-class research facility innovating through composite materials research and cutting-edge lightweighting technology to reduce environmental burden and increase overall industrial efficiencies.

DETI is a two-year strategic programme from the West of England Combined Authority, delivered by the NCC in partnership with the Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS), Digital Catapult, the University of the West of England (UWE), the University of Bristol, and the University of Bath.

5G Smart Tourism trials in the West of England brought together 21 organisations and smart network partners to demonstrate 5G capability, establishing the West of England as a world-leader in the development of advanced fixed and mobile communication systems. As part of the project, visitors took part in a variety of interactive pursuits ranging from virtual reality and augmented reality to 360° video and

West of England 5G Smart Tourism trials

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE FUTURE OF…

The West of England Combined Authority is investing in the region’s skills pipeline to create greater inclusion. We are investing in apprenticeships, digital skills and adult education to ensure that our home-grown talent has the opportunity and expertise to join our vibrant economy, to enable all residents to reach their potential through programmes such as:

This edition of INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath explores how our region is innovating across different areas of industry and society. Each chapter of INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath illustrates how we’re shaping the future, spanning developments in housing and commercial space, to flight, transportation and digital infrastructure.

Workforce for the Future is designed to help businesses get fit for the future by helping equip employees with new skills, knowledge and experience. The programme provides tailored, in-depth support to help businesses plan and adapt for the future, by helping them to identify their current and future skills needs, implement development plans to upskill or retrain employees, and supporting them to bring in apprenticeships or work placements to drive their business forwards. Workforce for the Future also connects businesses with training and education providers to help shape the West of England’s talent pool, ensuring our region is equipped to meet the needs of tomorrow.

Boomsatsuma 13

How is our region meeting the demands of the 21st century?

How are we exceeding these expectations?

and most importantly, how are we creating a new standard?

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE BRISTOL & BATH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM The region’s engines for growth are our seven Enterprise Zones and Areas (EZ/EA). Each one has a unique set of businesses thriving within:

Distribution and logistics hub at Avonmouth/Severnside EA. Creative and digital hub at Bath and Somer Valley EZ. Tech and financial district in Bristol Temple Quarter EZ. Advanced engineering and aerospace at Filton EA. Food and drink and agri-tech hub at Junction 21.

The West of England’s enterprise zones and areas are the engines of our success; built on innovation, creativity and inclusivity.

AVONMOUTH/SEVERNSIDE ENTERPRISE AREA

8km long covering 1,800 hectares and adjacent to the M5 and M49 motorways and Bristol Port.

It has 45 million people living within a 300km radius.

Dominant uses are large-scale industrial, warehousing, distribution, energy, waste processing, port and associated activities.

Key companies operating here include: Amazon, DHL, GKN and Warburtons.

BATH AND SOMER VALLEY ENTERPRISE ZONE

Bristol Port courtesy of Bristol Port Company

It provides a mix of iconic office and high value manufacturing spaces, linked to the region’s world renowned advanced engineering clusters with the potential to create 6,000 jobs.

The EZ covers 12.5 hectares with the potential to deliver 540,000 sqm of bespoke employment floor space. The site is perfect for manufacturing, engineering and supply chain sectors.

Spread across 50 hectares in two locations in the centre of Bath and the Somer Valley.

Artist’s impression of Bath Quays

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

In Bath City Riverside EA, Bath Quays South is currently under construction in a prime riverside location within easy walking distance from Bath Spa train station. It will provide 5,000 sqm of new ‘Grade A’ office space at No.1 Bath Quays and 4,500 sqm of creative workspace in the ex-industrial Newark Works building.

Bath Quays North is even more centrally located on the north side of the River Avon. The site has outline planning consent and is being developed by Legal & General, Bellhammer and Bath & North East Somerset Council in a joint venture.

It will deliver up to 25,000 sqm of new ‘Grade A’ office space alongside new homes, leisure facilities and a business hotel, creating a new commercial quarter for the city.

Altogether Bath Quays will generate 2,700 jobs.

Existing occupiers include BMT, Future Publishing and Buro Happold.

Roseberry Place is located at a riverside location within the EZ and within walking distance of Oldfield Park train station. It will provide up to 6,000 sqm of ‘Grade A’ office space and has full planning (zoning) consent.

At 100 hectares, it offers capacity to accommodate over 4,000 new homes plus 320,000 sqm of commercial space and 22,000 new jobs.

Highways infrastructure, pedestrian routes and cycleways, new public spaces in key locations and bridging across the city’s historic Floating Harbour all feature in the plans for the area.

Within the EZ, there are 4,000 jobs and 150 businesses that have been attracted to here since 2012.

Based in this zone are many key businesses, including: Engine Shed, SETsquared, Burges Salmon, Deloitte, PWC, Bank of Ireland, Osborne Clarke, and OVO.

B A T H

Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone

It is also the location for IAAPS - the University of Bath’s £60m Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, a world leading institute for ultra-low emissions vehicle testing. Small, it encourages Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) collaboration alongside multidisciplinary R&D.

Emersons Green is the area proven to be truly inspiring for industries specialising in science, research, technology, creativity and digital connectivity.

BRISTOL TEMPLE QUARTER ENTERPRISE ZONE

EMERSONS GREEN ENTERPRISE AREA

Recognised by the UK Government as a key UK technology node, it is home to Bristol & Bath Science Park (BBSP) on which, the internationally recognised National Composites Centre (NCC), part of the UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult is located alongside the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS).

BBSP is set in 24 hectares in North Bristol, providing a diverse scientific eco-system offering facilities and services designed to enhance performance and to accelerate commercial success. Notable residents include The Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS) and HiETA Technologies. Bristol & Bath Science Park, Emersons Green Enterprise Area

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Filton Enterprise Zone

B A T H

FoodWorkssw at Junction 21 EA

FILTON ENTERPRISE ZONE

HOW INVEST BRISTOL & BATH CAN HELP YOU

Filton is on the north fringe of Bristol close to the M4/M5 motorway interchange with direct east-west access to London and Cardiff and access to the Midlands and South West.

In order to get the most out of our region, to understand and play an active role in shaping the future of the West of England, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Invest Bristol & Bath.

Home to the UK’s largest aerospace cluster.

World giant Airbus and their R&D hub, the £40m Airbus Wing Integration Centre, is actively exploring how the next generation of wings will be designed and developed.

Invest Bristol & Bath is the inward investment agency for the West of England Combined Authority. We support businesses who are seeking to enter the region to grow, innovate and collaborate.

Our team is experienced, knowledgeable and well connected. Through a tailored account management service, we provide the following free services:

GKN’s £32m, 10,000 sqm Global Technology Centre will be the hotbed of advanced manufacturing and industry 4.0 research and multidisciplinary collaboration. One of four Global Technology Centres, it will be an ‘open access’ collaborative R&D centre that will bring together a vibrant ecosystem of universities, R&D organisations, catapults, Government organisations and industrial partners.

JUNCTION 21 ENTERPRISE AREA

The 72 hectare Junction 21 EA provides an attractive mixed-use destination at the southern gateway to the region and rapidly expanding Weston-super-Mare.

Junction 21 EA is strategically located on the M5 corridor, with easy access to the South West, South Wales and the Midlands.

It is located 20 minutes south of Bristol, Bristol International Airport and Bristol Port.

Aside from a range of technology and manufacturing businesses the EA is home to the £13m Food WorksSW, a food and drink research and innovation hub for the West of England and South West food and drink sector. This sits within the designated Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), land set aside specifically for food and drink manufacturing.

Bespoke research and provision of regional economic information to support business planning. Talent support in accessing and recruiting high quality employees. Support in identifying the right property and location for your business. Relocation advice, support and assistance for relocating employees. Simplified access to relevant council, regional business services and suppliers. Introduction to cluster networks, meetups and event activity in the region. Ongoing support ensuring your business continues to develop and grow. Internationalisation support through invitations to join virtual and in-person trade missions through links with the Department for International Trade.

We’d love to learn more about your business and how we can provide the right support for you. For further information and to speak to a member of the team, please contact us at:

Invest@bristolandbath.co.uk +44 (0)117 428 6211 Investbrisbath Invest-bristol-&-bath

£90m has been recently invested to develop circa 30 hectares through a mix of public and private investment. This will provide, once fully complete, 200,000 sqm of commercial space, 10,000 jobs and 6,000 new homes by 2036.

bristolandbath.co.uk 16

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SELLING BRISTOL & BATH’S EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS OFFERING TO THE WORLD, WORKING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND TOGETHER INCREASING THE VALUE OF THE REGION’S £2.3 BILLION A YEAR VISITOR ECONOMY.

Photo by Apex Hotels

We are the official Convention Bureau for Bristol, Bath and the surrounding region. Meet Bristol & Bath’s core focus is to promote its locations as top destinations for business events, while working with local businesses to secure events that benefit the region. WMB Great Hall from Stage The company was started over 20 years ago, as the ‘Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau’ and has since developed a fantastic reputation locally and within the wider industry, maintaining strong partnerships with strategic partners, trade and media.

Photo by University of Bristol

We are both an innovator and enabler. Our approach to destination management and marketing has been innovative. We were early adopters of channel based digital marketing and social media and are constantly trying new content ideas to see what inspires consumer behaviour. As a trusted source of advice on our destination’s events offering and capabilities, Meet Bristol & Bath enables innovation. Our Ambassador programme is a prime example of how we enhance the region’s reputation as a stand-out events destination, as we bring on board local professionals who are at the top of their industries to bid for high value business events. It’s about building valuable connections that generate conference and event business. We take building those connections global too. You’ll find us singing the praises of the region’s venues and suppliers at international trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM, networking on behalf of our partners and introducing them and our cities to new markets.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

gatherings on Brunel’s history-making SS Great Britain, a conference at one of the University of Bristol’s historic venues to drinks receptions and gala dinners at the stunning Roman Baths and Pump Room. Our passion for our destinations is matched by our inside-out knowledge of our partners’ venues and offerings too.

Photo by Hotel du Vin

Our rebrand to Meet Bristol & Bath in February 2021 has given us the exciting opportunity to learn about and work with businesses in a new destination. The effects of the pandemic have brought challenges for us and the event industry in its entirety. However, it has also provided a valuable opportunity to re-educate ourselves on new protocols and trends that impact on how we market and sell our destinations for business events. We always look forward to partnering with clients who are considering hosting events in Bristol and Bath, focusing on ways to enhance the experience of delegates and make the most of what’s on offer. As newly joined members of The International Congress and Convention Association, we’ll be engaging with more international associations and bidding for new business related to Bristol and Bath’s economic sector strengths. We will have significant new investment in infrastructure over the coming years, and so will have the ability to bid for and work with events that are larger in scale than anything seen before. Connectivity - Both cities are easily accessible, with Bristol Airport under 45 minutes away from each location. The Bristol & Bath region is one of the strongest economies in Europe and is home to globally recognised industry clusters. Key economic strengths are in Advanced Engineering & Aerospace, High-Tech, Digital & Creative, Energy, Life Sciences and Professional Services. These are supported by major global players, creative start-ups and four leading Universities between the two cities.

Photo by Roman Baths

Then there’s our digital presence, which gives businesses a trusted platform to promote themselves through. With a high-ranking website and separate consumer and B2B channels, there’s ample opportunity to get their services seen by the right audience, from a simple website listing to dedicated newsletters. We see the results in both increased brand awareness and direct sales for those featured businesses. We work exclusively for the Bristol and Bath region. While we are not a traditional venue finding agency, venue finding is part of our portfolio and so unlike other agencies, our sole focus is on the Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas. We do not have a client base where business is placed anywhere else.

events@meetbristolbath.co.uk +44 (0) 117 946 2200 MeetBristolBath Meet_Bristol_Bath

There’s nowhere else quite like Bristol & Bath and our passion for what our brilliant destinations have to offer underpins all of our work. We’re proud of its creativity, diversity, heritage and innovative spirit, all of which add up to exciting and unique opportunities for event organisers, from

meetbristolbath.co.uk 18

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our mission is to develop and promote the visitor economy in the Bristol and Bath region, to maximise opportunities for, and supporting businesses operating locally, enabling routes to market, supporting innovative and sustainable development to create a year round visitor experience. As the Destination Management Organisation for the West of England, we work across B2B and B2C markets, to inspire visitors from the UK and overseas, as well as having a strong industry support programme to enable businesses to have access to what they need to succeed. The Visit Bristol and Visit Bath consumer marketing programmes deliver innovative digital and social campaigns to inspire visitors from those based in the UK and overseas, often working in partnership with travel partners to promote the destinations to new audiences. Much of the work of the DMO takes place behind the scenes working across media, influencers, travel trade, the business events industry and organisations such as Visit Britain and UK Inbound to maximise opportunities for all. These partnerships are critical. Roman Baths

Photo by Visit Bath

Through our content development and research, we are able to focus on new ways to reach consumers and develop new thematic digital programmes, some of which can develop into bookable itineraries. This could focus on inspirational content such as film and TV productions featuring locations in the region, practical inspiration such as family friendly or factual information to support accessible visits. There is a complex matrix of themes, products and distribution that enable us to deliver a range of experiences and content hubs as opposed to focussing solely on one narrative. Digital distribution and creation of evergreen content enables us to do this. It is important that business support is either delivered or signposted, including workforce development, stimulating year round business, managing peaks, promoting local supply chains, and making business more sustainable. While these common themes are relevant to most businesses, the destinations and businesses within will have specific needs that are unique to them, and our aim is to ensure we support them as much as possible.

Bristol Harbourside Maritime and M Shed

Photo by Paul Box

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Photo by Aerospace Bristol

Christmas Market

B A T H

Photo by Visit Bath

We have to be innovative in the work that we do. We cannot afford to be complacent and with travel trends constantly evolving and changing, we have to stay one step ahead. It is critical that we create an authentic narrative for the visitor rather than simply follow a generic trend, but it needs to be inspiring. This involves being aware of what is happening locally, nationally and internationally.

We have a new organisation, a new structure and a new engagement programme that will ensure we remove duplication and can better enable success, both now and in the future. There is the launch of a new suite of B2B websites, to connect businesses to support, and provide routes to market with dedicated contact points for the travel trade and business events industry.

We are so fortunate to work with incredible business communities in both the cities and the surrounding area. Their excellence inspires us to work harder for them, creating more opportunities to engage with content, connect them with more routes to market and generate more coverage for them.

Recovery for many in this industry will not happen overnight, and so while we have plans for marketing support to generate business as the industry opens up, we are very mindful that this is very much the beginning of a journey as we look to create and sustain a visitor economy that can really achieve its potential.

After the most difficult year in a generation for the visitor economy, we are most excited about welcoming visitors back to the destinations and working with businesses to help them fulfil their objectives.

VisitBath

visitbath.co.uk Visit Bristol Hot Air Balloons

visitbristol.co.uk

Photo by Visit Bath

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE POWER OF BUSINESS TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD

As a recently accredited BCorp, we believe in the power of businesses to transform the world for the better, but to do this, we need ideas and those ideas need a place to take root and grow.

Turbulent times tend to bring ideas to the fore and the next few years will undoubtedly bring challenges but also opportunities to address new market demand as companies recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have long encouraged innovation and ideas from individuals and companies that can be turned into a working reality - creating real measurable value.

Ideas are borderless. It doesn’t matter if they originate in the South West of England or anywhere else. That’s why we support businesses to think and act globally, delivering services that help businesses to forge worthwhile

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

As one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the UK, we have been immersed for 200 years in this incredible part of the country, whose community is brimming with ideas and has innovation in its DNA. Companies need to pay attention to their communities of interest AND their communities of place, and Business West helps them do just that. We convene businesses interested in a similar topic, or sector, to connect and catalyse opportunities. That is how ideas come to fruition and ambitions are realised. Sometimes the businesses we connect are local to each other because we feel it is also important to think about your impact on where you operate. Our work on our own transition to a just, net zero economy is at the heart of this. We have taken action, recently becoming the first Chamber of Commerce in the UK to be carbon neutral. We have declared our intent to be net zero carbon by 2030 and are encouraging and supporting our members and clients to follow suit.

connections beyond country borders. We run overseas trade missions and technological visits, provide market intelligence and step by step advice, all in aid of supporting businesses to realise their international ambitions.

No business can ignore what their actions do to their people and the planet and net zero carbon is going to be one of the big drivers of innovation. The science is clear: every business must take bold steps now to help save our planet for future generations.

For ideas to reach their potential, they also need to be married with processes that turn them into tangible, measurable value. That’s where our innovation support can be so powerful; helping businesses navigate the so called “valley of death” between concept and commercialisation with specialistled, bespoke growth support.

This is what we are most excited about: the opportunity for us to support the ideas that will use the small steps we’ve already put in place – virtual visits, local climate leaders groups, an information portal to help businesses get onto their journey to net zero – and accelerate them into the future we all want, with the best businesses operating in the best place, where entrepreneurs can realise their ambitions to create value of all kinds, in a just and sustainable region.

When Covid-19 struck, we pivoted, moving virtual, running a hugely successful food and drink sector meet the buyer event where no one was in the same room together but many business deals were made – something inconceivable only a short time before. We launched a pilot project testing how augmented reality can be utilised in the marine sector to take the place of flying from coastline to coastline showcasing your product and making sales. This is the future– supporting businesses to successfully trade internationally as easily as they would if their customer was just down the road. We do this because we believe the future is borderless, but we also believe that the future is about community. It seems incongruent, but we don’t think so.

info@businesswest.co.uk +44 (0) 1275 373 373 bw_businesswest

Ideas may be borderless, but they also need communities to grow.

businesswest.co.uk 22

CHAPTER 2

THOUGHT LEADERS

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — MARY ENGELBREIT

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRIDGE TO EQUALITY: WHY THE SUCCESS OF BRISTOL AND OTHER CORE CITIES DEPENDS ON ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.” POKU OSEI, FOUNDER AND CEO, BABBASA

Bristol has a reputation for the high-tech industry, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. However, the city is marked as the 7th worst of 348 districts in England & Wales for black and ethnic minority communities to live and thrive. The issue has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. So what can we do? As a passionate resident and founder of an award-winning social enterprise in the city, there are three things that come to mind to help tackle the issue: 1. Invest in social innovation – For far too long the idea of social innovation has been relegated to the nonprofit sector. I believe the time has come for cities to lead the way in unleashing new forms of bottom-linked governance and services that respond to our human needs for the next century.

Bristol could be at the forefront of a radical review of its social, cultural, politics and education sector. It could become the model city that actively captures the voices and input of young people in the redesign of services to create a fairer and equitable society.

2. Embrace the technological revolution - Like the revolutions that came before, the technological revolution has the potential to raise income levels and improve the quality of life for people in a city of declining social mobility. The tech revolution is also known to have a reputation for low entry requirements, allowing for a much wider cross-section of society to become active participants.

It would therefore be shortsighted and a missed opportunity for city policymakers and businesses to not invest in technology and IT skills for young people from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds, as a means of redressing the inequality gap and stimulating inclusive growth. Particularly as young people represent the desirable architects, being digital natives, to drive Bristol’s economy into the fourth industrial revolution. 3. Set a measurable long-term city challenge – To break the cycle of inequality, Bristol needs to be intentional and focus its strategies and policies by setting a measurable long-term challenge - to not only lift individuals out of poverty but also enable them to support their families and serve as role models in their communities.

In summary, I think inclusive and innovative recovery programmes should be at the heart of all economies that are working towards sustainable growth. And I believe Bristol has the core values and strong leadership to make the city work for all of its citizens with the right plans.

Babbasa +44 (0) 117-329-0717 communications@byep.org.uk

babbasahub pokupipimosei

babbasa.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WE ARE CONCERNED FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WILL LOSE JOBS AS A RESULT OF AUTOMATION.” CHARLES RADCLYFFE, PARTNER, ETHICS GRADE We are worried. Some of the things we worry about are the same as everyone else who is trying to imagine the impact of technology on our lives. We worry about how smartphones are consuming our attention and mediate our relationships. We worry about how much of our decision-making we ought to delegate to machines. We worry about protecting privacy. We worry about how to prevent people being exploited by industries as their rate of technological development intensifies. We are concerned for all the people who will lose jobs as a result of automation. And like them, we worry about the right directions we need to take going forward. We call this field of worry ‘ethics’.

spirit of this region is one where the whole is seen as greater than the sum of its parts. Not once have I seen the aggressive dominating mindset that is sadly far too common in other start-up ecosytems such as Berlin, Amsterdam, London or San Francisco. Entrepreneurs from this region care much more deeply about their relationship with the ecosystem and how they and their enterprise play a role in contributing back to the technology community locally. My advice to my fellow entrepreneurs in this region is not to lose sight of this precious quality. We surely have learned through the pandemic that resilience comes from community and not from individual power. Our job as entrepreneurs is to create diverse and inclusive teams who want to make the world a better place for all, and are willing to listen carefully to those who disagree with how they are setting about achieving this. Our job is also to integrate with the ecosystem – not to see it as something to ‘take from’ or ‘give back’ to, but see it as something that we are bound into, united with, our fates intertwined.

And yet there is hope. Hope founded not just on the fact that technological innovation has kept many more of us comfortable, healthy and alive than had a pandemic struck a generation earlier; but hope founded on the realisation that the inordinate levels of screen-time we have subjected ourselves, our children and our elders to is unsustainable. More than unsustainable in fact, undesirable. We have above all through the lockdowns been craving human touch. Wherever we are in the world, whatever our beliefs, education, professional lives, tone of skin – there is one thing that unites us more in 2021 than perhaps has ever previously been so widely recognised, that our humanity depends on social interaction; and technological solutions are not a substitute for these things on which we all depend.

And on this theme I call to more established firms in the West of England who worry for the future as we do. The post-pandemic economic recovery is a huge opportunity to build relationships with your stakeholders that are authentic, and those of you who do so more effectively will endure. Technology in this regard can act as a trap. Automated services might well lower costs and increase efficiency, but if this comes at the cost of developing meaningful human interaction it is unlikely to benefit your organisation in the long term. If your organisation is one that wants to develop and deliver more ethical technology, then please get in touch and my team and I would love to help. And if you’re just interested in how organisations fare against our EthicsGrade rating – then visit www.ethicsgrade.io to see the ratings of all the companies we cover.

While the pandemic has rendered the location strategy for many startups such as mine irrelevant, and despite the geographical spread of my team (California to Poland, via Bristol) I see EthicsGrade spiritually rooted deeply in the Bristol and Bath ecosystem. I grew up in the West country and for a long time after returning to the region in 2014 struggled to reconcile my career in London’s financial district with my desire for a better balance with community. Despite EthicsGrade being every bit as ambitious a FinTech as those I’ve worked with in the past in London and New York, being centred in this ecosystem is a daily reminder that the key to our success in rating companies’ governance as relates to technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or robotics is paying close regard to the signals from the community around us.

EthicsGrade dataphilosopher Charles Radclyffe

What I have experienced from many years now of working with fine organisations such as the University of Bristol is that the overwhelming

ethicsgrade.io 26

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE INDUSTRY HAS ALWAYS BEEN INNOVATIVE AND HAS A STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.” KATHRYN DAVIS, HEAD OF TOURISM, DESTINATION BRISTOL AND INTERIM CEO, VISIT BATH Most of my career has been spent working within the visitor economy in some form or other; events, hotels, and venues but for the last 21 years, this has been within Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). There are forms of DMOs across the UK and the world, with all of us working slightly differently. I fell into the world of DMOs completely by accident, after applying for the position of Marketing Executive with the then Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau in 2000, which had been launched the previous year. With an initial role focussing on consumer marketing and PR, my curiosity and experience in working in the sector meant that I was desperate to learn more about the breath of the operation, particularly in digital which for DMOs, was very much in its infancy. In the last 21 years, I have worked across all areas of partnerships, business events and leisure travel, locally, nationally, and internationally. And not one of those 7,665 days has ever been the same – which is probably why it remains as exciting and dynamic as ever. It is this sense of innovative collaboration that sits at the heart of everything that we do. A DMO can bring together all aspects of the visitor economy whether in producing a new package or product , or to bring business together through content. Through the production of destination led marketing and activity, a cohesive approach can be delivered across consumer, trade and corporate channels that motivate longer stays and consistent messaging. This can be demonstrated in the content produced to maximise opportunities available through Bath’s starring role in Bridgerton within our ‘Inspire Me’ section of VisitBath.co.uk.

However, the last 16 months have been very different. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has left the industry devastated. At its worst, we have seen the closure of businesses, and people we know well lose their jobs or leave the industry altogether. And yet we have seen incredible resilience and innovation from across the visitor economy, as cultural venues and producers moved into online content, restaurants became takeaways and delivery services were introduced to local communities. Those that could change, did so. And these, and the many who could not deliver a virtual experience, worked tirelessly to support their communities and their own teams. This innovation and resilience has come at a cost, with many businesses taking on huge debt to enable them to live to fight another day.

There are undoubtedly some great examples of innovation in tourism, culture and hospitality that include use of tech, not least the 5G Smart tourism project that was developed in the region. One of the world’s first 5G testbeds produced in March 2018, when the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab teamed up with the Watershed and We The Curious, to produce a weekend of visitor experiences demonstrating the potential of 5G through augmented reality theatre, virtual reality dance and an audiovisual journey across the cosmos.

The tourism, hospitality and leisure industry has always been innovative and has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. In such a competitive marketplace, businesses need a competitive edge to stand out. However, what is exciting about businesses in the visitor economy is that innovation is often driven by collaboration. There are examples of local breweries working together to create special beers, or events such as the wonderful East Bristol Beer Trail. Or local gin distilleries creating bespoke gins to suit a particular restaurant in the case of Psychopomp or the 6 o’clock Gin special editions.

We are so fortunate to have incredible expertise and a willingness to work together in the region. It is this continual need to do more and do better that give us such an incredible visitor experience as we rebuild our visitor economy – worth an estimated £2.33bn to the West of England.

There are great examples of the cultural sector coming together to deliver innovative digital campaigns. The ‘flash sale’ promoted ticket sales for specific venues and events in a 24-hour window, with venues working in partnership across their social and consumer channels to support each other and cross sell. A simple idea with a spectacular amount of coordination and willingness to collaborate.

VisitBath visitbath visit-bath

visitwest.co.uk 27

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WITHOUT THE RIGOUR AND APPLICATION OF THE INNOVATION PROCESS – IT’S JUST AN IDEA, A CONCEPT OR RESEARCH.” PAUL O’COLLINS, HEAD OF INNOVATION, BUSINESS WEST Innovation means different things to different people. For me it’s not about petri dishes and lab coats, it’s about the process through which great ideas are turned into tangible, measurable value.

be “a centre of innovation excellence that can be seen from the moon.” So what are the hot topics for Bristol innovators?

It’s an iterative process - not just about coming up with the original concept, but about taking the necessary practical steps to turn that idea into reality. Without the rigour and application of the innovation process – no progress can be made.

Adversity drives innovation - it always has done and probably always will. Covid is a good example of how adversity has led to the UK’s groundbreaking work on vaccination, personal monitoring and the elements that go to make our new Low/ No contact society. We have seen many examples of businesses successfully repurposing their offers or “pivoting“ their business model to address new market demand.

I am fortunate to be able to deal with a wide variety of innovators in my role delivering the Innovate UK EDGE service to businesses and the greatest challenge many innovators face is not coming up with great new ideas, but about overcoming the barriers to the creation of value. Whether it be navigating the so called “valley of death” that exists between concept and commercialisation, or struggling to understand if their idea is actually new or already exists or if there is real user demand for the technology or service.

Net zero carbon is obviously going to be one of our big drivers. And the UK’s drive to a carbon free society will be a painful but necessary journey that we will all need to make to help save our planet for future generations. Innovation in areas involving people’s roles, jobs and the workplace will bring new challenges to our society and our lives. Traditionally secure jobs are already fast disappearing whilst in some sectors like care for example, demand for people is growing rapidly. Our traditional professional services like law, audit and accountancy are not exempt from change and will be affected as much as our manufacturing sector as we move to new AI, Robotics and Machine Learning based models of delivery and production.

Innovators are invariably passionate about achieving their dreams and for those wanting grant support from Government or private financial investment they must understand it’s more than just about the quality of the idea. Investors and grant funders such as Innovate UK want to back people who have a thorough management led approach to the development of ideas and the creation of value. People will often come to me talking about the brilliance of their technology and be amazed that people are not flocking to their door to invest. Unfortunately, ideas rarely speak for themselves and it is the job of the innovator to explain clearly the opportunity and the return that the idea offers. Preferably supported with clear market evidence and rigorous commercial exploitation plans.

This new society will bring challenges to the human condition, not only our material and physical wellbeing, but to our individual mental health and our established societal structures. That in turn will create adversity which of course will drive innovation. Ironically, the innovation we currently celebrate and enjoy is not only doing great good for us individually and collectively, it is simultaneously creating adversity and challenge - which of course will require further innovation to address.

The South West is a hotbed of ideas and innovation, especially in Bristol. With its magnificent history of innovation, world class universities and incredibly well-developed innovation ecosystem, Bristol is the envy of the nation. Bristol lives and breathes innovation, not just the science and technology bits, but as part of its heart and soul and in its desire to be a great place to live and work, raise a family, build a business and put down roots. Bristol’s ambitions were well described to me recently as wanting to

info@businesswest.co.uk +44 (0) 1275 373 373 bw_businesswest

businesswest.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WHAT’S OFTEN UNDER-APPRECIATED IS THE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE THAT BUILD TRUST, AND HELP PEOPLE HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND TAKE RISKS.” – BIG LEADERSHIP TEAM, BRISTOL INNOVATORS’ GROUP

BIG leadership team, top left, clockwise: Charlie Widdows, Aimee Skinner, James Snelgrove, Aaron Slater, Hannah Beatrice and Rob Sheffield. In Spring 2019, two of our team - Charlie Widdows and Rob Sheffield discussed how to create a network that would focus on innovation across Bristol. They had an intuitive sense that this was needed, but lacked the time and resource to turn the idea into reality. Then in October 2019, we formed our leadership team and planned the first network meeting for the following month. We turned the idea into value, which is a definition of innovation, and created the Bristol Innovators’ Group (BIG)!

We saw that sectors were doing a great job of promoting their members’ interests, but we were missing a cross-fertilisation of insights and ideas across sectors, that might drive collaboration and very different thinking across a whole city. Innovation stories often focus on the glamorous, ‘theatre’ of innovation, such as technology and product advancements. What’s often under-appreciated is the social connections between people

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

that build trust, and help people have conversations and take risks. This is the foundation for ideas to be aired, improved and flourish. And some of these turn into new products, services, business models and technologies.

B A T H

Currently, our network is helping amplify the work of DigiLocal, which provides laptops for disadvantaged young people and families in Bristol. It’s a region-wide, collaborative effort, involving Avon Fire and Rescue, Bristol Waste, data cleaning volunteers, and community organisations. The amazing BIG network has mobilised new individuals and organisations into tackling digital poverty and supporting their local communities. BIG is also supporting a project based on the Future of Learning and looking at how to engage the next generation of innovators, with graduates and the Bristol Hub.

We were also convinced that many voices were not being heard. We wanted a diverse and inclusive network, and this had to be open to anyone who could bring talent, initiative and imagination, even if they weren’t part of established city institutions. In November 2019 and March 2020 we ran our opening two meetings at Bristol University, supported by Dave Jarman and Amy McGuinness. These stimulated interest and goodwill, and got membership levels rising. What shone through was that people wanted a space to meet, find people with common interests, and apply their talents to Bristol. When COVID-19 hit, we redoubled our efforts, knowing that the need for connecting and inspiring would increase, but that people could easily go into ‘fight-flight’ mode, and focus on the short-term.

Bristol and Bath is such an excellent place for a cross-sectoral network. It has a strong proportion of students and skilled graduates. The region has a thriving creative ecosystem, and a higher than average number of freelancers. The city is number two on the list of best places to launch a start-up outside of London, boasts some of the UK’s largest and best incubators, has two highly-rated universities and a solid selection of established corporations in sectors ranging from Finance to Aerospace. Add in the legendary independent vibe and an enviable place at the forefront of British popular culture, and the result is a perfect melting pot of new thinking and ideas sharing.

We ran seven online meetings and workshops through 2020, and BIG grew rapidly. We invited speakers such as Elvin Turner and Clayton Planter to share their innovation experiences. The network grew to nearly 500 members, and has co-created BIG’s purpose:

For 2021 we aim to expand our membership base and influence, to maximise the network opportunities on its doorstep. And we’re talking with Bristol’s City Office, and other regional partners, to help each other’s work agendas and spread our message beyond Bristol - out into the region as a whole. We’re working at building those conversations across sectors, to spark ideas that turn into new forms of economic and social value.

“We bring our members together to drive innovation learning, spark great conversations and inspire collaboration, making Bristol a better place to work and live for everyone.”

InnovateBristol Bristol Innovators’ Group

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE FACILITY WAS REMARKABLE BUT SO WAS THE WORK WE DID CREATING THE CLINICAL WORKFORCE AND WORKING PROTOCOLS.” STEVEN WEST, PROFESSOR, CBE, DL.

West. As a University we innovated across a number of fields producing CADCAM face-shields, antiseptic sprays, misting systems and hand gels – distributing them to hospitals, community clinics and care homes. We created a new training programme and trained over 500 volunteers to be able to support the Nightingale and we also trained clinicians on how to treat Covid-19 patients as we started to learn more about the science and clinical treatments available. In December 2019 we started to hear about a new virus that was spreading across China. We didn’t know or suspect that this would trigger a global pandemic that would rock mankind. By March 2020 the UK was in lockdown as we tried to understand and contain the virus. UWE, Bristol, like many organisations, needed to adapt fast to continue to be able to conduct its core business of teaching, research and enterprise. We had to innovate and create new approaches overnight. But there is one innovation that stands out as truly remarkable. An innovation that I am proud to say made a significant contribution to our city, our region and the nation. It was to build a Nightingale Field Hospital on the University Campus utilising a 4000sqm exhibition centre and enterprise building creating in total a facility of some 8000sqm.

The future and legacy of the Nightingale Field Hospital is as innovative and as ambitious as the creation of the facility. By collaborating, innovating and drawing on the expertise of our university and region the National Centre of Health and Care Innovation, Education and Practice is under development. Providing a lasting and embedded health facility for the people of our community and region we live in. It is clear that the future of health and care delivery will increasingly draw upon the innovation and skills that are linked to digital technologies. The university has been working closely with partners to create an innovative environment and business ecosystem to develop the next generation of engineers and computer scientists through a project called DETI. This starts to create the pathway and innovation that directly feeds into the future of many industry sectors. The Nightingale Centre is located within the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and FutureSpace footprint. This brings cutting edge research, early innovation companies in technology, health tech and cyber and robotics together. Many are developing products and approaches that will be critical in the diagnostics, treatment and support of patients and clients access health care or living in their own homes. Everything from companion social robots to remote monitoring of vital signs to reminders and prompts to take medication or engage with medical and family members. Remote monitoring of health provides a way of mitigating risks and managing complexity in community settings as well as in busy hospitals and will help to support more personalised integrated care pathways. Working with industry, health and care professionals and systems commissioners the National Centre will drive innovation and new ways of working.

On the 27th March I attended a meeting on campus with colleagues from the NHS, army logistics, architects, designers and building contractors. The challenge was simple – build a fully operational hospital capable of supporting 301 fully ventilated patients in an intensive care environment with medical gases and suction to every bedhead and treatment bay. In addition to creating a hospital that was to be completely paperless - digital by design - with all records and vital signs and diagnostic assessments being captured in real time digital environments with visual recording and alerts. We even looked to incorporate robotics and artificial intelligence into our operation. The innovations to achieve this were mind blowing. Leadership teams crossing disciplines, organisations and expertise worked over a 4-week period to solve problems and create hope for the future. Hope for patients, hope for the NHS and hope for the nation as we saw the impact of Covid-19 unfold daily. The level of innovation and enterprise to solve, what seemed like an impossible challenge was amazing. I worked with teams who focused on the clinical, technical and engineering issues, deconstructing problems to a size that could be managed. The physical transformation of the facility was remarkable but so was the work we did creating the clinical workforce and working protocols.

We are also working very closely with the West of England LEP and Combined Authority, the West of England Academic Health Science Network and Bristol Health Partners to align across health, social care and industry sectors to bring together innovators to shape the future. Prof. Steven West CBE, DL Vice-Chancellor, President and CEO at University of the West of England

The innovation across the NHS was spectacular with new protocols and collaboration being conceived, agreed and implemented across the South 31

Prof. Steven West CBE, DL

uwe.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT IDEAS. IT’S ABOUT MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN.” PROFESSOR HUGH BRADY, VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL Innovation is the application of creative solutions to real-world problems – a basic maxim, and one that perhaps obscures the more complex processes that underpin its subject. In reality, innovation can require patient investment in both fundamental and applied research, cross-discipline and cross-sector collaboration, risk-taking, iteration, trust, vision and civic engagement. These attributes and capabilities are at the heart of researchintensive universities and, while innovation ecosystems across the globe differ with regard to many of their attributes, the presence of world-class research-intensive universities is a constant.

Fortunately, and not accidentally, Bristol and the West of England is already home to one of the UK’s fastest growing and most globally significant tech clusters. It boasts one of the highest business startup and survival rates; enjoys globally recognised strengths in sectors such as aerospace, zero carbon and the creative industries; and is renowned for innovation in AI, 5G, semiconductors, quantum technology, cyber security, robotics, haptics, and data science. Opportunities to network, to collaborate and to share knowledge across and between these key sectors of the future economy are plentiful.

The University of Bristol is one such university – ranked amongst the very best in the world for the quality of its research and innovation, and deeply committed to its civic ethos of community, co-production, and social responsibility. We strive for research excellence and pursue knowledge for its own sake. But we are also committed to realising the beneficial impacts of our research on society. This is reflected in the balance of our research between blue skies discovery-led research which explores the very essence of humanity and our planet, and challenge-led research focused on solving practical problems.

Looking ahead, the University relishes the expectation and imperative that it will serve as a key innovation engine within this buzzing and ambitious ecosystem – a vital source of talent, skills, ideas, technologies, expertise and partnerships. Our plans for the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, central to the emerging Temple Quarter regeneration programme, provides just one example of this defining commitment.

This latter commitment is exemplified by the fantastic work of our university research institutes. These focus on solving many of today’s biggest challenges such as health (Elizabeth Blackwell Institute), the challenges of living with environmental change (Bristol Cabot Institute), data science research and society (Bristol Jean Golding Institute) and exploration of the human condition (Bristol Brigstow Institute).

Designed with co-creation and multidisciplinary working at its core, the Enterprise Campus’ three primary entities – the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, and the Bristol Inclusive Economy Initiative, draw on existing research strengths and will see us partner with hundreds of SMEs, large corporates, third sector and community organisations, and local and regional government. It will also host landmark new initiatives such as MyWorld, a £46 million Bristolled programme which will position the South West as an international trailblazer in screen-based media; creating new R&D facilities and partnerships, and connecting regional SMEs and large companies with global tech titans including Netflix, Google, and Microsoft.

Through these and other initiatives, our researchers seek to understand our world today and develop ideas for its future. But innovation isn’t just about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. That’s why we work in partnership and support industry, small businesses, the public sector and society to better understand challenges and help translate innovative ideas into creative solutions. There is no short-cut to achieving successful innovation. It requires patience and a supportive ecosystem. One that, for example, brings scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and investors together; harnesses local diversity; provides access to finance and global networks; stimulates enterprise activity and supports new business creation. Collaboration is often key. But effective collaborations need time and resources to share knowledge, develop understanding, and build trusting relationships.

COVID-19 has caused untold disruption and misery over recent months. But when I look at the emerging post-pandemic world, I believe there is cause for considerable optimism for our city-region. Major new developments, partnerships and strategic initiatives like the Enterprise Campus provides an opportunity for the West of England to build on its unique ecosystem and cement its global reputation as a place to collaborate and innovate.

Helping to provide a supportive environment for innovation in our region is just one of the ways the University of Bristol can contribute towards its success. Throughout the last decade, we have been extensively engaged with public and private sector partners to develop research and innovation themes, provide high-quality infrastructure, skills and finance, and identify local growth and regeneration opportunities. We also strive to embed and foster entrepreneurial thinking in our staff and students.

For this to happen, it’s not just about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. I believe the skills, networks, infrastructure and ambitions are in place across our region to ensure that they do. vc-epa@bristol.ac.uk

bristol.ac.uk 32

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE UNIVERSITY IS AWARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTING TO THE GLOBAL GOOD.” PROFESSOR IAN WHITE, VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Health & Wellbeing; and Digital, all at the heart of the greatest global challenges and opportunities of our time. To give just some very brief examples of how we are doing this, The Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) facility, to be based at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, will work closely with industry to accelerate the development of clean-vehicle technologies, building on 40 years of expertise and creating hundreds of jobs in the process.

Photo by University of Bath Innovation and collaboration will always be essential to power progress in our societies and I think are a crucial part of what universities in particular can offer in partnership with others.

The Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, (CAMERA) has seen a new motion capture facility open this year at the Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, Bristol, as it continues its work with partners from the creative arts and entertainment industry, health sector and sports associations, as well as research institutes around the world. You can read more about IAAPS, CAMERA and some of our other exciting work in the University of Bath profile later in the publication.

This is especially important now as we begin to recover from Covid-19, and I have been pleased to play what role I can as a member of both the Economic Renewal Partnership - led by B&NES – and as a board member for the West of England Economic Recovery Taskforce.

We are very aware of the impact that our activities can have in respect of entrepreneurship, both driven by our staff and students, in addition to collaborators and other stakeholders. We have a track record of success in this field as demonstrated by the recent UK Knowledge Exchange Framework evaluation which showed the IP and commercialisation of the University in the top 10% of its benchmarked group. We have active plans to advance entrepreneurship including initiatives such as the School of Management’s plans for an Accelerator and our plans for a Makespace. We are also very proud to host SETsquared in Bath, which has been ranked the global number one university business incubator multiple times. This year marks the 20th year of operation of the Bath Innovation Centre, supported by the University, and in that time by offering world-leading incubation support services, enterprise activities and access to investment networks, it has helped more than 1,000 start-ups raise more than £1bn of investment.

The University of Bath has evolved considerably since 1966, when it was established to advance learning and knowledge by teaching and research, particularly in science and technology, and in close association with industry and commerce. Although much has changed since its establishment as Bath University of Technology, the vision of our founders remains as critical today as it was in 1966. At the outset technology was described as “the point at which science intersects society” and used to frame the activities of the University. The importance of empowering a University community to draw on understandings of science and society to address the key challenges of our time, remains as important as ever. During the pandemic I have been struck by how science has been at the forefront of the globe’s efforts to fight back against Covid-19, most obviously in the extraordinary achievements of scientists around the world to develop several highly effective vaccines at astounding pace.

Partnerships are important in many of these activities, and hence we have been very pleased to be engaged with Bath Spa University, Bath College, B&NES and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in preparing a proposal to create an entity, iSTART. In addition to having a skills agenda, particularly within the creative and digital sectors, there is the opportunity potentially to enhance innovation through co-location with innovative start-up businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises.

That is no accident, and shows the immense potential when academia works with business, governments and others to address the challenges that affect us all. By being a place where creative, curious and intellectually rigorous people make new discoveries and develop new understandings, Universities are drivers of innovation.

By such action, the University continues to seek to deliver on its enduring Mission, namely: to deliver world-class research and teaching, educating our students to become future leaders and innovators, and benefiting the wider population through our research, enterprise and influence. That impact, particularly in the local area, is one which we hope will bring lasting and real benefit.

This goes beyond educating and preparing for the workforce the next generation of students who will become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, as crucial as that will always be for a University. The University is aware of its responsibility to contributing to the global good. We have identified three areas of research strength, Sustainability;

vice-chancellor@bath.ac.uk

bath.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WHAT I FIND INTRIGUING IS THAT THE FUTURE OF WORK RUNS AS A CONSTANT INTERCONNECTOR ACROSS ALL THE UN SD GOALS.” ANDY SALMON, PROFESSOR, PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR EXTERNAL

‘THOUSANDS HAVE LIVED WITHOUT LOVE, NOT ONE WITHOUT WATER.’ (W.H. AUDEN, FIRST THINGS FIRST) As someone whose life has been spent on the innovative interface between education and the creative industries, I have always been fascinated by the relationships between what we need and what we want – ‘love’ or ‘water’? This question plays out at international, national, regional and local levels. Internationally, the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals set the world an unprecedented curriculum – Goal 6 is ‘clean water’. Nationally in the UK, the Industrial Strategy was also aligned to material needs, with four ‘grand challenges’: artificial data and intelligence, ageing society, clean growth, future of mobility. The strategy is explicitly targeted at areas where the UK Government feels in the ‘lead’ with capacities for ‘economic transformation’, maximising GDP and linear return on investment. This is potentially at odds with the UN SDGs, where the drivers are planetary transformation , societal transformation and personal sustainability. This is a much more circular and interconnected map than ‘arrowhead’ GDP. The goals overlap constantly, so my categories are arbitrary; clean water, good health, and education are of course societal, personal and planetary. But my point is simple - the way forward is recognising the inextricable interconnection and the symbiotic role of complex drivers, rather than the pretence of isolated ‘challenge’ elements.

I’d like to posit four challenges: Trans-disciplinary AND trans-level. In work we constantly cross disciplines ‘horizontally’ and levels ‘vertically’. Why not in education? Our project, iSTART, is actually doing this, blending skills/innovation/ research across two Universities, a vocational College, a local authority and 70+ businesses including a world leading innovation centre. Social Value as a KPI. We like product and manufactured value because it is easy to measure. COVID 19 has exposed the imperatives of collective connectivity. The question must migrate from ‘how much profit does it make, to how much good does it do?’ Technology to Make Life Better. It isn’t technology that has landed us in our current collective pickle, it‘s human behaviour. How can we use technology humanely? Partnership as default. The UN SD Goal 17 is Partnerships. The notion of singular expertise or solutions simply no longer works. The current estimate is that a 2021 UK graduate will have 7 careers. How can we then prepare them for the future of work with single pathway thinking? For us, our goal must be to diversify; by working together we achieve outcomes none of us can leverage on our own.

In order to address these underlying symbioses we must rethink our concept of value along the lines of Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, replacing self-centred neoliberal ‘rational economic man’ with environmentally attuned and societally integrated individuals. We need ‘water’ and ‘love’, or as Raworth says, ‘we need to put life at the heart of the economy, not the economy at the heart of life’. ‘HUMANS NEED WORK. WHY ELSE DID WE INVENT THE ALARM CLOCK?’ (PICASSO, DIARIES 1931) What I find intriguing is that the future of work runs as a constant interconnector across all the UN SD Goals. Therefore, the precise nature of that work, and how education as a lifelong learning whole society process interacts with it, seems to me just about the most urgent question we face.

If you are interested in further discussion from a business, enterprise, innovation perspective we would be delighted to meet you. Thank you, Andy.

‘NOTHING IS EVER ONLY ONE THING’ (VIRGINIA WOOLF, NOTEBOOKS, 1931) If the future of work and the future of education are inextricably linked, then the future of our survival is, I’d suggest, dependent on both. For example, we have not yet begun to migrate our thinking from ‘climate emergency’ to ‘human emergency’ . What we teach, how we do so, and what contract exists between curriculum and business/community must start to address the real underlying questions with unprecedented urgency.

Bath Spa University Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BN United Kingdom

international@bathspa.ac.uk +44 (0) 1225 875875 Bath Spa University

bathspa.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WHILE ‘PERSON-CENTRED CARE’ HAS BEEN THE MANTRA FOR MANY YEARS, NOW MORE THAN EVER IS THE TIME TO MAKE IT ACTUALLY HAPPEN.”

NATASHA SWINSCOE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCE NETWORK (AHSN) WHY WE NEED MORE INCLUSIVE INNOVATION With over 20 years’ experience in the NHS, Natasha Swinscoe joined the West of England AHSN in 2015 and became Chief Executive Officer in 2018. Under her leadership, the AHSN has earned a reputation for its ambitious, system-wide vision for healthcare innovation and transformation, improving patient care and driving economic growth. The need to rethink how we deliver health and care services to improve the health of our population has never been more urgent. Covid-19 has highlighted the stark health inequalities faced by too many in our communities. If you are an innovator, I’d like to challenge you to: Report after report has shown the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on - amongst others - Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, young people, the LGBT+ community, and disabled people.

•

But it is important to remember these inequalities existed long before the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has served to shine a spotlight on them.

•

It is now incumbent on all of us working in health and care to make sure that we learn from this experience and that these unfair disparities in health outcomes for different communities do not become ‘hidden figures’ once more.

•

Ask more questions of diverse communities and genuinely take on board what they tell you Not make assumptions based on your own perspective; try walking in other people’s shoes Build in more opportunities for co-creation with all those with expertise, whether lived-experience, clinical or professional Be open to continued testing, adaptation and full-scale change of your initial ideas Be mindful of unintended consequences – both the benefits and drawbacks – of your innovation for different communities.

Research has evidenced that the more diverse we can be in our thinking and the more inclusive we can be in our approach to the creation, testing and developing of innovation (whether in healthcare or beyond), the more successful and impactful our innovation will be.

I believe all of us in the innovation space have a real opportunity here to use our skills and expertise, our creativity and connections, to rise to this challenge.

By being more inclusive in our thinking and engagement at every step of our innovation journeys, then the more diverse will be the people that stand to benefit. And I for one am extremely excited at this prospect.

So while ‘person-centred care’ has been the mantra for many years, now more than ever is the time to make it actually happen. The gauntlet I’d like to throw down to healthcare (and indeed all) innovators is this: what can you do to be a force for positive change in making health and care services more inclusive and equitable?

South Plaza Marlborough Street Bristol BS1 3NX

This is an exciting moment in time where we can explore how our new and emerging technologies and solutions can help to ‘level up’ some of the divisions in our society, designing healthcare products and services that place underserved communities at their very heart.

West of England Academic Health Science Network WEAHSN

Future Space UWE North Gate, Filton Road Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8RB

weahsn.net

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

IF INTEGRATED CORRECTLY, ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON BUSINESS GROWTH.” JOEL GIBBARD, MBE CEO AND SAMANTHA PAYNE MBE COO, OPEN BIONICS

Here at Open Bionics we build medical devices that enhance the human body. Our goal is to democratise the prosthetics industry and make it accessible so that every individual can feel empowered to reach their goals.

building custom prostheses for and also it gives us an opportunity to find out how our product is being used for its intended purpose. If integrated correctly, robotics and automation can have a significant impact on business growth. From the very beginning of Open Bionics, our production line has benefited from having a blend of robotic and human expertise working in unison to design and build our custom products. From 3D printers that deliver precise made-to-measure liners, to automated software that continues to save time and cost for our end users. We know robotics and automation can help a company scale and allow teams to dream bigger.

It’s critical that the future of robotics evolves with purpose. I believe companies who are attuned to the needs of their communities will be more successful at steering the business in the right direction. When we first launched the Hero Arm in 2018, we worked closely with our community to make adjustments and improvements that will allow the Hero Arm to be adaptable and handle an array of activities that we knew were important to our users. Since the launch, we’ve had over 11,000 registrations for the interest in the Hero Arm, which for us highlights the global demand for intuitive medical devices. Industry accreditation together with constant user feedback has put a spotlight on where the product needs to evolve. Now, we hold monthly user talks where the whole company gets a chance to meet the people we have the pleasure of

openbionicsltd OpenBionics

openbionics.com 36

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

I CAME TO REALISE THAT WHAT MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS THE STORY BEING TOLD IS THE UNTOLD STORY.” yet remains highly local and independent. Innovation and originality have always been our traits, just as they have with Channel 4. We both have a long history of being accepting, questioning, subversive and at times cagerattling. Bristol provides the perfect ecosystem for a channel with a core value of championing the underrepresented and daring to go where others fear to tread. One year in, we are nurturing a new generation of local voices to tell stories with national and international resonance. Although we have spent most of that in lockdown, we can already feel the change. A growing number of underrepresented voices are gaining a platform to tell their stories, with schemes such as the Emerging Indie Fund, the Indie Accelerator Scheme and our newly launched 4Skills training and support arm. Our Creative Diversity team is reaching out into communities to engage with new voices and people who might not be aware of careers within the media. We’re involved with lots of different platforms to resonate with different audiences, be that through Snapchat, TikTok, short form films online, viewer on demand through All4, or traditional broadcast on Channel 4. Each platform has a distinct voice and so requires different storytellers.

Sacha Mirzoeff, Head of Channel 4 Bristol The human instinct to tell stories can be traced back millennia. From paintings on cave walls, to families huddled around campfires, to bingeable boxsets, storytelling is a thread woven deep into the fabric of human experience and often helps set our moral boundaries. The possibility of changing the way that people view and interact with the world is what initially drew me to filmmaking. I felt inspired by the possibility of touching the lives of others in a meaningful way. Let’s face it, facts and figures don’t change hearts and minds. It’s storytelling that causes radical shifts. But when I entered the industry 25 years ago, the vast majority of the British documentary films came from a handful of people in one city: London. The inevitable consequence of this was that despite the best intentions of filmmakers, through unconscious bias, they often looked and sounded similar.

Plato’s adage ‘those who tell stories rule society’ is still undoubtedly true. However today there’s less control in the hands of a few privileged people. We’re now moving towards a more nuanced world where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s observation is more appropriate “Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Channel 4 want to promote that dignity of storytelling and train and support people doing that. Sacha Mirzoeff is a factual commissioner and head of Channel 4 Bristol. Previously he was Creative Director of Marble Films, a BBC Executive Producer and a freelance director.

I came to realise that what matters just as much as the story being told, is the untold story.

He’s on the committee of the One City Culture Board in Bristol, RTS West of England, BAFTA Cymru and the charity DART Europe.

Channel 4’s decision to expand out of London and open centres around the country provided a great opportunity to broaden the voices of storytelling. Bristol seemed the obvious choice. Ours is a city that continues to defy being put in a box, full of contradictions and full of stories that have been simmering under the surface for a long while. Our challenging history dominates and yet the future seems brighter and coming towards us at a greater pace than ever before. For centuries Bristol has been international

Channel 4 Enquiries@channel4.co.uk +44 (0) 20 7306 8444 sachamirzoeff

channel4.com 37

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

GIVEN HOW MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES, I’M EXCITED TO SEE WHERE WE CAN TAKE IT.”

STUART HARRISON, TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS MENTOR, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST FOR WHITECAP CONSULTING & FOUNDER OF FINTECH WEST I stumbled across the newly formed Bristol FinTech group, ended up getting involved and running that but we needed to be a little more focused to take us to the next level and hence FinTech West was born. I reached out to Whitecap Consulting who were already successfully running FinTech North and we decided to work together on FinTech West. That partnership has been superb and enabled FinTech West to grow to become part of the FinTech National Network and the representative body for FinTech in the South West. Closely related to FinTech, we’re soon to release the Bristol & Bath LegalTech Ecosystem Research. Although perhaps not talked about quite as much as FinTech, both are core aspects of innovation in Professional Services and key parts of the WECA Industrial Strategy. They hold some similar and yet some very different challenges for each sector. Regardless, it’s great to see in both the FinTech and LegalTech research projects I’ve been part of that Bristol & Bath technical prowess clearly emerges as a key factor allowing the region to punch far above its weight. Given how much progress has been made in the last couple of decades, I’m excited to see where we can take it. But at the same time let’s also lead the way on diversity and equality and make sure that while we surge ahead with technological solutions, we don’t neglect humanity. It is a huge privilege to be able to work with many of the region’s high tech start-ups, their founders and to contribute in some way to their future success. Bristol and Bath, and indeed the West of England, is packed with talent, ideas and innovation. There’s a lot of support and collaboration in the community. We shouldn’t underestimate how important this is because, without it, starting your own business and taking what can be critical decisions for its future can be a lonely job. I certainly wish mentoring, co-working spaces and programmes such as SETsquared were around when I was starting out. Might have avoided many of the mistakes made although I did learn a lot! It seems a far cry from what seems, no was, so many years ago when I headed down to Bristol to be one of the two guys who first set up the Oracle Bristol office in Queen’s Square. No internet, no mobile phones, only perhaps 20 people at Oracle in the UK and I even still had hair! What seems so long ago has equally passed by so fast. Now, I’m best known for being the founder of FinTech West, although my background is technology and innovation with start-ups, not financial services. Several years ago, in a small way, I helped a challenger bank launch and I was fascinated by the possibilities that the new FinTech sector held. The thought that ethical, dynamic technology driven founders could take on the previously untouchable financial institutions and deliver a real change to society for all was exciting.

Stuart Harrison stuart.harrison@whitecapconsulting.co.uk Stuart Harrison

whitecapconsulting.co.uk 38

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MOST BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND INDIVIDUAL THINKING.” NEIL DOUGLAS, DIRECTOR, VIPER INNOVATIONS

When we started our company in 2007, one of the first questions we had to ask ourselves, was where is the best place to be located? The client base for our products and services were international and so our selection did not have to be governed by the location of our clients. The important parameters for us were good travel communications (road, rail and air), a pool of high quality graduates and technical staff to support our planned growth, excellent local universities, an area with a range of different office sizes to accommodate future expansion and importantly a place where staff would be happy to work and live. We selected North Somerset – with staff able to enjoy the countryside and the vibrant cultural cities of Bristol and Bath. We have never regretted the decision, and our relationships with the local Universities, the high-calibre personnel in the area, the technical ecosystem, and the environment have all been key to achieving the success we have enjoyed as a business. The local support that is on offer to innovative companies is pretty phenomenal and this area of the UK is a world leader in incubating tech companies and University spinouts. The concentration of innovation in this region acts as a catalyst to attract other companies and staff. Thankfully this is recognised as one of the ‘stickiest’ regions for graduates. They come, they enjoy, they stay!

As a result of COVID-19, numerous businesses have had their eyes opened as to how technology has allowed innovative ways of working which in itself has indirectly reduced carbon emissions during lockdown. Whilst forced on most companies, it has demonstrated that businesses can operate with significantly reduced travel for meetings – both internal and with clients. It has also demonstrated that the physical location of a business which has a national or international client base is generally not important as far as clients are concerned. The West of England region still provides a great place for people to live, still provides a very supportive innovative tech ecosystem, and the four Universities still provide a pipeline of high quality graduates. The West of England retains a vibe for encouraging innovation and is a great place for people to live. The future is bright and green.

So, what common theme is there for the future that will affect the majority of businesses, especially those that have an ambition to be world leading? The climate emergency is at the forefront of most business, government, local authority, and individual thinking. The greatest impact on reducing our carbon emissions will be driven by government policy and led by business transition and transformation. It is naïve to think that all industries with high carbon emissions can be eliminated through legislation – for example, no country can function without hydrocarbons. However, industry, through innovative practices, products and leadership can change the norm. Key measures of the success of any business will be how much they have reduced their operational carbon footprint, how well they are offsetting any carbon emissions, and how a business can reduce their client’s carbon footprints through their products and services. Products and services that support the green sector and a drive to reduce operational carbon footprints have two significant but indirect benefits; it is easier to secure investment with the right green credentials and those same green credentials are very near to the top of most employee’s values when selecting a company which they want to work for.

Viper Innovations Ltd Marine View Office Park, 45 Martingale Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7AW

enquiries@viperinnovations.com +44 (0) 1275 787878 ViperInnovates Viper Innovations Ltd

viperinnovations.com 39

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

GKN AEROSPACE’S LEGACY AND HERITAGE IS SIGNIFICANT. WE HAVE CONTINUALLY REINVENTED OURSELVES OVER OUR 260-YEAR HISTORY.” MAX BROWN, VICE PRESIDENT, HORIZON 3 TECHNOLOGY

Although the aerospace industry finds itself in unprecedented times, at GKN Aerospace we have much to be excited about. Over the past 12 months we have maintained an important balance, with a firm focus on our short-term priorities in response to the coronavirus pandemic, alongside continued support for our longer term strategic interests. For GKN Aerospace this means technology and innovation. In the South West we continued at pace with the construction and readying of our brand new Global Technology Centre (GTC). This is a £32M investment, which is at the heart of our future technology plans in the UK and globally. We have a state-of-the-art facility where several flagship programmes are already up-and-running, with key strategic partners across academia, the supply chain and our customer base. We have world-leading technology experts based in the region, and we are actively recruiting for more. Over the coming months, we will continue to bolster our high quality engineering and technology teams within the South West. Our ambition is for a better connected, more sustainable world and GKN Aerospace’s technology leadership will be at the heart of that. To support this aim, we are taking the lead in several collaborative technology programs between Government, academia and industry. Each of these programmes are being led from our new Bristol GTC: H2GEAR – A £54m programme to develop hydrogen based electric propulsion systems. Safe Flight – A project to explore how we can enable the safe integration of electric VTOL (Vertical Take off and Landing vehicles) in our skies. SkyBus – Exploring the potential for large-scale electric VTOL transport to beat congestion in major cities, driving cleaner connectivity in our regions. GKN Aerospace’s legacy and heritage is significant. We have continually reinvented ourselves over our 260-year history. I am very proud to be part of that history and of the opportunities ahead to continue to explore, to meet our responsibilities as a business and address the future needs of both people and the planet.

ASCEND – A programme focused on achieving sustainable composite solutions to support greener and cleaner aviation and automotive industries. We are also proud to be heavily involved in FlyZero - an ATI-led collaborative programme exploring sustainable aviation solutions. FlyZero aligns with our core ambition and offers excellent opportunity for GKN Aerospace employees to take up secondment roles, to learn and develop.

gkn-aerospace

gknaerospace.com 40

“Our rich aviation and aerospace heritage brought us innovations through the supersonic flight era, consolidation to two major global aircraft manufacturers separated by the Atlantic, and now electric and autonomous advanced air mobility. Dreams of science fiction are made real here in Bristol and Bath, where established industries and thriving aviation startups are building a better future today.” — SIMON BROWN, CEO, TEKTOWR

CHAPTER 3

FLIGHT

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

TEKTowr isn’t afraid to take on the seemingly impossible to make big dreams real!

B A T H

SAFE SECURE INNOVATION.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We are deep-tech innovators that love solving problems and getting products to market in new ways. Breaking out of tradition, and going against the flow yields extraordinary results. In pioneering industries such as advanced air mobility, there’s no script written for us, so we’re helping to write it! There’s no time to waste when helping reduce the footprints we all leave on our planet. TEKTowr was formed in late 2018, and has grown a diverse customer base including digital factory operations. A call for small and medium enterprises to help accelerate innovation in the UK’s future flight programme came in 2020, just as aviation took its worst downturn in decades. With our previous expertise working in software safety and cloud application development in airports, Edita Chavez-Heredia, MMath (Hons). Software Engineer

Matt Banham, MSci. CTO & Founder

Simon Brown, CEng. CEO

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

air traffic control and automotive, the team wasted no time bidding and winning two major projects to help the industry build back better.

B A T H

TEKTowr brings innovative ways to deliver – we are free-thinking and more importantly, unconstrained to create. We take a hands-on approach to solving problems and are constantly challenging ourselves to find the best ways to do things. Our mission is engineering at its most fundamental – rigorous application of scientific principles to create sustainable solutions that delight our customers and benefit society.

Our team have spent decades working in safety-critical industries, working on some of the biggest challenges to bring innovation to where it is needed – increasing safety, reducing delays, building resilience into critical national infrastructure. Engineering a better future by applying cutting edge science and computing capability, never compromising on safety or security, and delivering sustainably. We know we can always do better and we never shy away from the problems that usually land in the “too difficult” pile.

“From the very first meeting TEKTowr went straight to work - both with our data and coming up with original ideas that fit well with both our long-term vision and short-term goals for 2021. Whilst it’s early days, I’m looking forward to a productive partnership between our organisations.” — Chris Farmer - IT Director, Transcend

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Bath has a timeless quality to it - a city of imagination and innovation where science and art intersect. With the University and College attracting the brightest of minds, our doors are open for graduates that want to continue living their best life in Bath, and helping us bring a new future to the world. Here, engineering excellence and creative flair work hand-in-hand. Dare to dream big and we offer careers that will stretch and grow you in ways you never thought possible.

“The work we do at TEKTowr is innovative, ambitious and very interesting, and the team is great at overcoming the challenging bits together. But your wellbeing and professional development come first. Our directors are actively engaged in training each of us and helping us achieve our technical and interpersonal potential, so there isn’t any time to get bored. TEKTowr is a great place grow your career and meet some awesome people while you’re at it!” — Edita Chavez-Heredia, Software Engineer, TEKTowr

Of course, if there’s one thing that Covid-19 has proven, is that we can work and source talent from anywhere. We are a cloud-native software engineering company, and we know that the best people can generally be found from anywhere. So we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and locations in the UK, and we are proud to be an inclusive company that welcomes everyone as equals. Wherever you come from, we’re sure the alchemy of Bath will pull you in eventually! By the end of 2021, an additional 5 jobs will have been created, nearly doubling the company size. TEKTowr is helping to grow international recognition of aerospace sector capabilities in the Silicon Gorge, making Bath a high-tech contender in the region. We loved the imagery you see on these pages so much, we hired the creator, Tim Ellis to be our 4D Architect. We really can’t wait to see the future, and if you’re as keen to help build it as we are, why not talk to us and see if we’re the right company for you to work in or work with.

For the Future Flight programme, we are working with Heathrow airport, International Airlines Group (owners of British Airways) and NATS (the UK’s air traffic control organisation) on a project called Fly2Plan – to prove a new aviation data system-of-systems which is efficient, scalable and trustworthy for the future. We’re using blockchain to help retire the legacy systems and ways of working introduced from the days of the teletypewriter. We are also working on a simulation digital twin – SIMTwin - providing a machine-learning powered software as a service marketplace, enabling collaborative design. It uses the same technology that underpins games such as Fortnite, to bring immersive, realistic experiences to the planning submission process, to help accelerate approvals and protect today’s hard-won safety margins.

TEKTowr Piccadilly House, London Road, Bath, BA1 6PL United Kingdom

Together, these projects are helping established players harness new technology and also allow new entrants to aviation to collaborate, simulate and operate with assured safety and security.

Tim Ellis, 4D Architect

hello@tektowr.com TEKTowr

tektowr.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FLYING HIGH-DROGEN

AirbusZEROe blended wing body concept

Two primary uses for hydrogen in aviation

“We believe hydrogen is one of the most promising zero-emission technologies to reduce aviation’s climate impact,” says Glenn Llewellyn, Airbus’ Head of Zero Emissions. “This is why we consider hydrogen to be an important technology pathway to achieve our ambition of bringing a zero-emission commercial aircraft to market by 2035.”

Hydrogen has been safely used in the aerospace and automobile industries for decades. The aviation industry’s challenge now – and that facing Airbus engineers based at Filton – is to take this zero-emission energy carrier and adapt it to commercial aviation’s needs.

Hydrogen is a high-potential technology with a specific energy-per-unit mass that is three times higher than traditional jet fuel. If generated from renewable energy through electrolysis, it emits no CO2 emissions, thereby enabling renewable energy to potentially power large aircraft over long distances but without the undesirable by-product of CO2 emissions.

Airbus sees two primary uses for hydrogen:

“Because hydrogen has a lower volumetric energy density, the visual appearance of future aircraft will likely change” says Glenn. “This is to better accommodate hydrogen storage solutions that will be bulkier than existing jet fuel storage tanks.”

Airbus is currently a member of the Hydrogen Council to benefit from the huge cross-industry experience on hydrogen.

Hydrogen propulsion: Hydrogen can be combusted through modified gas-turbine engines or converted into electrical power that complements the gas turbine via fuel cells. The combination of both creates a highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion chain powered entirely by hydrogen. Synthetic fuels: Hydrogen can be used to create e-fuels, which are generated exclusively through renewable energy. Hydrogen produced using renewable electricity is combined with carbon dioxide to form a carbon fuel with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“We expect to make the necessary decisions on the best combination of hydrogen technologies by 2025,” says Glenn.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A high-potential technology to meet aviation’s climate targets Renewable hydrogen is expected to be a solution for several industries to meet their climate targets. And Airbus believes the aviation industry should be no exception: it is estimated that hydrogen has the potential to reduce aviation’s CO2 emissions by up to 50%. Airbus collaborates with a variety of industry players, including energy providers and airports, to ensure hydrogen can help them to take significant steps towards climate-neutral aviation. Research into hydrogen as a potential energy carrier to power future zero-emission aircraft has been intensifying in recent years. But the road to hydrogen-powered aircraft requires significant effort inside the aviation industry and beyond. From hydrogen storage, cost and infrastructure to public perceptions about safety, the aviation sector is working to mature the technology while tackling some major challenges.

AirbusZEROe Turbofan Concept

Hydrogen is increasingly considered as one of the most promising zero-emission technologies for future aircraft. However, despite the fact that hydrogen has an energydensity-per-unit mass that is three times higher than traditional jet fuel, a variety of challenges must be addressed before widespread adoption can happen. Glenn adds: “From the technical side, aeronautical engineers at Filton and across our research sites will need to take the technologies developed in the automotive and space industries and make the technology compatible with commercial aircraft operations, notably by bringing the weight and cost down.” One specific challenge is how to store hydrogen on board the aircraft. Today, liquid hydrogen storage is among the most promising options, while storing hydrogen as compressed gas poses challenges with current aircraft weight and volume requirements. In addition, the aviation industry will need to achieve the same or better safety targets than what has been achieved with existing commercial aircraft. Indeed, extensive safety precautions are currently taken into

ZEROe Concept aircraft formation flight

account in the design and operation of today’s kerosenepowered aircraft. This stringent approach has ensured the industry’s consistent safety record throughout the years. Future hydrogen-propulsion systems will thus need to achieve equivalent or better safety levels before hydrogen-powered aircraft can take to the skies.

Airbus +44 (0) 117 969 3831 communicationuk@airbus.com AirbusintheUK

airbus.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FILTON AT THE FRONTIER OF FLIGHT

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Filton’s new Aerospace Integrated Research and Test Centre (AIRTeC) – a facility that will test and develop current and future aircraft wings – has recently marked another major milestone that has been five years in the making. The Bristol teams recently completed the ‘wing-to-strong wall’ join-up in the facility. The strong wall, which weighs more than 200 tonnes, supports a full scale A321 aircraft wing for structural testing. The test will recreate 200,000 simulated flight cycles over the next four years, during which the performance of the wing structure will be monitored. “The purpose of the test – called the ‘A321 limit of validity’ test – is to demonstrate that the single-aisle family airframe has a higher capacity than its current lifespan of 60,000 flights – potentially it could be good for 100,000 flights,” explains Test Leader, Matt Hooper, who is based at Airbus Filton.

AIRTeC was officially opened by the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in May 2021.

If testing is successful, the benefits will be far-reaching: “We will be able to show there is more residual value in the aircraft that operators are investing in,” adds Matt. “It means, potentially, we are able to keep more aircraft in service – adding value to the customers of our highly successful single-aisle family.” Matt’s role involves bringing together teams from wingstress engineering, wing production and the Wing Test Centre (IAC) to create the right environment for testing. The A400M plant team at Filton were key in delivering this recent milestone. It involved the join-up between the test wing and the dummy centre box and subsequently the lift and fixing to the strong wall. The wing join-up involved 2,233 fasteners with tight tolerances to be maintained. Other key stakeholders include the Broughton plant in North Wales, which built the wing for the test, and the Wing Engineering Centre (IAW), which defined the specifications for the wing. The Wing Test Centre in Filton has been responsible for developing the test concept, hydraulics, mechanical elements and control systems for testing. “These enable us to get the appropriate loads into the test specimen – it’s going to run at 500 simulated flights a day, so it’s running high loads quite rapidly,” said Matt. “A very sophisticated system is required for us to do that safely – everything is done in a controlled manner and there are several fail safes in place to make sure everything is done properly.”

Airbus +44 (0) 117 969 3831 communicationuk@airbus.com AirbusintheUK

“It’s a huge investment for Airbus, so we need to make sure we get the best value out of this test,” he added.

airbus.com 50

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MAKING THINGS FLY GKN Aerospace is the leading global tier 1 aerospace supplier. We help aircraft fly faster, further and greener.

WHO WE ARE

day, around the world, we help aircraft fly further, faster and greener improving the safety, performance and efficiency of more than 100,000 flights every day.

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading technology supplier to the aerospace industry. As a truly global company with plants across the world, GKN Aerospace serves all of today’s leading aircraft and engine manufacturers. We design, develop and manufacture innovative smart aerospace systems and components.

Our technology is enhancing aircraft performance – improving aerodynamics, reducing weight, increasing fuel burn efficiency and lowering emissions. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing technology, innovative engine structures, wiring systems to drive electrification and smart transparencies all help our customers to improve sustainability - shaping the future of flight.

Our technologies are used in aircraft ranging from the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world to business jets and the world’s most advanced 5th generation fighter aircraft. Every

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

OUR HISTORY

INNOVATING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION

When 250 years of industrial leadership joins 100 years of aviation pioneering and smart engine technology you get GKN Aerospace.

In 2021 GKN Aerospace will open its Global Technology Centre in Bristol, bringing together multiple advanced research programmes under one roof where we can work with partners from across the world. This £32m investment will help keep GKN Aerospace at the forefront of research and innovation for decades to come.

Forged in the fires of the industrial revolution, GKN started life as an ironworks in South Wales. Through centuries of innovation and reinvention GKN has played its part in the birth of rail, the invention of the car, the development of flight and man’s adventures in space.

Climate change is the single greatest challenge the world and our industry faces. At GKN Aerospace we want people to be able to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that air travel brings, but do so sustainably. The Global Technology Centre will house collaborative research and innovation projects to radically decarbonise air travel, through the use of new lightweight materials, improved aerodynamics and alternative noncarbon power sources. It is through this innovation and industrialisation that we can make sustainable air travel a reality, with our world-class manufacturing facilities in Bristol at the heart of greener air travel of the future.

GKN’s first foray into aerospace came with production of the spitfire aircraft during the Second World War at its factory in the West Midlands. For more than 40 years GKN Aerospace has had facilities in the South West serving both civil and defence customers. Our Bristol site has been at the forefront of aviation for over 100 years, and today is the home to our largest UK production plant and the centre of advanced research programmes.

OUR PLACE IN BRISTOL

gkn-aerospace

gknaerospace.com

Bristol provides a world class aerospace ecosystem, bringing together superb Higher Education and Research Institutes, new disruptive companies as well as global businesses such as GKN Aerospace. This makes Bristol a natural home for large scale production and advanced research. Today we employ more than 1500 people in the Bristol area across two manufacturing sites, where we manufacture large composite structures and machine complex metal components for aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and A350 and Lockheed Martin’s F35.

GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre; Filton, UK. Opening 2021.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

AT VERTICAL AEROSPACE, WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SACRIFICE THE PLANET YOU LIVE ON TO GET FROM A TO B.

VA-1X

Bristol Based Based in the heart of Bristol, one of the world’s top aerospace hubs, Vertical Aerospace was founded in 2016 by greentech entrepreneur Stephen Fitzpatrick. With access to the best talent, from both the aerospace sector in Bristol and Formula 1 in Oxfordshire, the team has already grown to over 100 world-class engineers and experts, recruited from the likes of Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, Gulfstream, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Dyson and most of the UK’s Formula 1 teams. VA-1X Interior

A Global Leader Vertical believes passionately in the power of electric aircraft to change the way the world travels. Since its inception, Vertical has been disrupting the way aircraft are developed, combining the rigour and discipline of aerospace with the pace and agility of Formula 1 to develop cuttingedge aircraft. They are already a global pioneer in sustainable aviation technologies, as one of only a handful of companies worldwide to have flown two full-scale all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototypes, both with UK Civil Aviation Authority approval.

Introducing the Latest All-Electric Air Taxi, VA-1X Vertical recently unveiled VA-1X, the eVTOL aircraft they will take through certification. Capable of carrying four passengers and one pilot, VA-1X is set to be the world’s first certified winged eVTOL with initial commercial operations starting in 2025. Boasting cruise speeds of 150mph with a useable range of up to 100 miles, bypassing road congestion means that passengers could travel from Bristol to Cardiff in under 20 minutes, compared to over an hour driving, or an hour and a half by train. The ultimate aim is to connect entire regions, as well as carry out shorter missions across single cities, using sustainable air travel.

Seraph landing from existing helipads allows for direct city centre to city centre connections. The all-electric distributed propulsion system enables the aircraft to be 30 times quieter than a helicopter, blending into city background noise.

Excellence in Engineering

World-class partners are joining the journey to help bring the aircraft to certification. Vertical is heavily leveraging the UK’s leading aerospace and automotive capabilities in areas such as advanced lightweight composites

VA-1X is engineered with high levels of expertise and will be certified with the same safety standards as commercial airliners. Taking off and

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

POC and electrical powertrains. In addition, it has a strategic partnership with Honeywell for state-of-the-art flight control systems – the “electronic brains” of the aircraft that make it incredibly easy and safe to fly. Vertical Aerospace’s goal is to make the VA-1X affordable for all. Prices for air taxi services will start at a few £s per mile, further decreasing as adoption grows.

B A T H

“At Vertical Aerospace, as we increasingly emerge from our stealthy beginnings, we are privileged and inspired to be right at the cutting edge of these developments as a global eVTOL leader, pioneering a new sustainable future for aviation.” — Michael Cervenka, CEO, Vertical Aerospace

Sustainable Aviation

Demand for sustainable travel has surged as people become more aware of their impact on the environment. Most low carbon solutions involve giving up, doing less or cutting back. Vertical Aerospace believes that we shouldn’t go backwards but is instead focused on developing solutions which make flying sustainable. Powered by Lithium-ion batteries VA-1X will fly completely emission-free. Not only that but Vertical has committed to building a truly sustainable supply chain.

Vertical Aerospace +44 (0) 117-457-7566 hello@vertical-aerospace.com

verticalaerospace VerticalAero vertical-aerospace-ltd

vertical-aerospace.com

2016

2020

Launched by CEO of OVO Stephen Fitzpatrick.

VA-1X is released to the market.

2021

2017

Flight testing of VA-1X begins.

Team of six engineers design and build the first demonstrator model.

2021-2024

2018

CERTIFICATION ACHIEVED

First eVTOL aircraft was granted flight permission by the CAA.

Working closely with EASA to gain Type Certification for VA-1X.

2025

2019

Initial commercial routes.

First flight of second aircraft, Seraph. Capable of carrying 250kg.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The NCC is the UK’s world leading composites research and development centre which has its headquarters in Bristol, UK. The NCC is the UK’s world leading composites research and development centre which has its headquarters in Bristol, UK. Its key focus areas are Composites, Digital Engineering and Sustainability. It brings together the best minds and the best technologies to help solve the world’s most complex engineering challenges.

What is a composite? A composite is two or more materials combined to make an optimized material. Usually this involves a fibre and a matrix. So, for example, straw and mud separately both do a job… neither ideal for building a shelter but mix them together and you get strength from the fibres in the straw and stability from the mud… and a far better end product; however, at the NCC we work with advanced composites using myriad fibres and matrices, two of the most well-known being carbon fibre and fibre-glass.

Where are they used? You’ll see composites in both every day and state-of-the-art products because of their versatility, from glass fibre wind turbine blades, formula 1 to family electric vehicles and yachts to carbon fibre aircraft wings and bikes. Composites make life better by allowing us to do more and enjoy leisure activities that keep us fit. Most people will own composites in their sporting goods such as fishing rods, skis, football boots, prosthetic running blades and tennis rackets. They protect and save lives, existing in MRI scanners and radiotherapy beds, bulletproof vests and firefighting heatproof protection. Meanwhile many will have seen ceramic composite brake discs on cars and ceramic heatshields on spaceships.

We are industry’s research and development partner. When companies need to make things lighter, stronger, smarter and more sustainable they come to the NCC. With access to ‘beyond’ state-of-the-art technology and the best composites engineering capabilities in the world, we help our customers solve the most complex engineering challenges of our time.”

Why are they important? Composites will help us achieve a sustainable net zero – from alternate energy sources including wind turbines to zero emission transport and haulage that harnesses the power of hydrogen. They can be used to protect and save lives, they enhance lives allowing us to enjoy healthy sporting pursuits, they level up the playing field allowing people of all abilities to do more of things that they love.

—Richard Oldfield, CEO

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The National Composites Centre Headquartered in Bristol UK, the NCC has had investment of over £250m in capabilities, making it home to arguably the world’s most advanced automated composites manufacturing facility. The latest investment of £37.6 million specifically in ten new digital capabilities will revolutionise the way we design, engineer and manufacture. As a test bed for industry, the NCC is part of the UK’s first quantum secure industrial network and hosts a private industrial 5G network. The NCC works with companies of all sizes – from micro start ups to some of the world’s largest innovators across sectors as diverse as aerospace, wind, oil & gas, defence, space, auto and rail, construction and infrastructure, sporting goods and medical devices. The NCC links academic excellence with industry – forming a bridge between the two and pulling through research to the products that we use every day. It brings together the best minds to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges – its team of 350 employees is bolstered by strong links with over 70 of the world’s leading universities. Closer to its HQ, it works extensively with the University of Bristol’s leading Bristol Composites Institute, the University of Bath and the University of the West of England. It is also part of CimComp, a group of UK universities supported by government through the national research funding organisation, UK Research and Innovation, to push the boundaries of composites research. NCC’s industrial members include Airbus, Network Rail, Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines, Saudi Aramco, Vestas, BAE Systems.

The NCC is one of seven centres that make up the High Value Manufacturing Catapult – the UK’s largest Research Technology Organisation which has a proven track record of helping UK business of all sizes.

Each year the NCC and its Tier 1 members agree and shape a programme of mutually beneficial research, called the Core Programme. Tier 2 and Associate Members can apply to ‘buy in’ to this programme. SME affiliate members also benefit from the knowledge that is gained. Through the NCC Connect Team, SMEs, start ups and micro-companies can access advice, networks and training.

Through the NCC, companies across the south of England can easily access the services of the other six geographically spread centres that make up the Catapult. This also enables people to access skills and training programmes of the UK network – aimed at equipping the workforce of the future with the tools and knowledge they need to allow innovation and productivity to flourish. Innovators always look beyond. So when they want step change, they come to the NCC.

National Composites Centre (NCC) +44 (0) 117-370-7600 comms@nccuk.com NationalCompositesCentre nccukinfo national-composites-centre

nccuk.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY IN THE SOUTH WEST THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT CHALLENGE The Future of Flight Challenge involves over 40 new projects across the UK receiving a share of £33.5m as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Its aim is to bring together the UK’s worldleading research with businesses to meet the major industrial and societal challenges of our time. The fund forms part of the Government’s £2.4bn increase in research and development spending over the next 4 years and was designed to ensure that research and innovation take centre stage in the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. A consortium led by Atkins and involving Vertical Aerospace and the West of England Combined Authority has been awarded an industrial research grant through the UK Government’s Future of Flight Challenge to look at the feasibility of an air taxi service in the South West Region before conducting a demonstration in a live environment. The project was created to find innovative methods of achieving greener flight, increasing mobility, improving connectivity and reducing congestion. Expected to take 18 months, the work will comprise:

The research will establish viable markets and business cases for these services and seek to understand public perceptions and attitudes towards eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. These activities aim to culminate in a series of full-system demonstrations in live airspace across the region.

Crossing boundaries between regulatory environments, design constraints and design drivers will require each individual element to be designed with an understanding of the others. A deep understanding of all these environments is neither easily nor quickly gained, but it is fundamental to create a successful solution.

The South West is set to lead the way for future Advanced Air Mobility. While the feasibility studies and subsequent trials will be based in the South West, the project will also consider scalability and application in other cities.

Atkins has the depth and breadth of engineering capabilities across all of the key sectors that are critical to Advanced Air Mobility. Combining this with its business consulting capabilities creates a powerful offering to our clients. From vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure and service providers to entire cities, we are able to advise and support clients in considering the wider Advanced Air Mobility system, successfully delivering an integrated solution.

“

I want to bring the jobs of the future to the West of England and get our region moving. This air taxi trial brings both those ambitions together and is a significant step in cementing the UK and the West of England as leaders in air taxis.”

› An assessment of the demand for air taxi services in the South West.

Tim Bowles, Former West of England Mayor

› Development of use cases for the technology.

This new transport eco-system requires the convergence of the aerospace, infrastructure, communication and intelligent mobility worlds.

› An evaluation of the benefits to the region.

ABOUT ATKINS Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been at the cutting edge of aerospace technology for over two decades. From composite wings to the world’s largest civil aircraft; to a range of military UAV platforms and flagship projects in space, we have demonstrated an ability to create high quality pioneering solutions in safety critical environments. With a long heritage and proven expertise in understanding the built environment, we support a variety of stakeholders in shaping how technologies can be integrated into future smart cities.

To find out more visit: www.atkinsglobal.com | www.snclavalin.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

COLLABORATORS: ®

Programme Management, System Architecture and Safety and Regulation

Advanced Air Traffic Management

Airport Infrastructure and Test Facilities

Business Case, Demand Modelling and Stakeholder Engagement

Aircraft Data and Communications

Air Traffic Control and Airspace Management

Secure Data Network and Cyber Security

Ground Infrastructure and Passenger Security

Aircraft Integration and Public Engagement

Local Authority and Stakeholder Engagement

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

‘SPACE FOR LIFE’ is our way of saying that the most important thing at Thales Alenia Space is not only what we make...but what we make possible.

B A T H

SPACE FOR LIFE

complex challenges to contribute to the world’s most advanced space missions. Teams design remote sensing instruments, build technology demonstrators and test electronic systems for on-board space flight hardware. All this and more takes place in the space laboratory at Thales Alenia Space in Bristol, led by highly experienced European Space Agency (ESA) trained technicians.

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth.

In addition to Bristol are Thales Alenia Space’s Satellite Propulsion Design and Engineering teams at Harwell’s Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire and the Propulsion Integration Centre in Thales Belfast. Together, these experts design and build propulsion module systems for all of Thales Alenia Space’s satellites, including the UK’s first all-electric propulsion systems module for the next generation of Telecommunications satellites.

Satellites make our lives run smoothly. From paying for your morning coffee with your phone to watching the evening news or listening to the weather forecast, satellites are interlinked with modern technology. Whether watching a film on a plane, using apps from your mobile phone or catching a train, satellites help us plan our daily lives. They keep us connected with one another and help with many of the challenges we face – from monitoring climate change for better protection of our planet’s resources or assisting our Health and Emergency services. We rely on satellites every day.

Let me take you on a journey from Earth to Mars. At every altitude, you will discover spacecraft that Thales Alenia Space has designed and built to meet the needs of our modern lives. Whether at 400 km where the International Space Station is carrying out science experiments to improve life on Earth, Thales Alenia Space built 50% of the habitable parts, including the Cupola observation module and the resupply vessel ‘Cygnus’. At 700 km, Thales Alenia Space built many of the Earth observation satellites to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere for

Space begins on Earth. Since Thales Alenia Space first opened its UK operation in Bristol in 2014, our expert teams continue to develop breakthrough innovations and solve

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

climate monitoring and at 800 km there are constellations of satellites dedicated to telecommunications, observation and navigation services. Increasing altitude to geostationary orbit at 36,000 km, Thales Alenia Space build telecoms satellites that provide broadband and digital services for closing the digital divide in hard to reach communities.

The Space journey is all about the people who make it happen. Behind every one of these exciting advanced space programs and missions, are teams of inspiring people, bursting with ideas and innovations that impact our lives and help build our futures. The teams across Thales Alenia Space have many talents and combined, their expertise make spacesystems a reality.

Exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond. Thales Alenia Space is a major partner in Europe’s fantastic missions across the Solar System and our teams, including those in Bristol, Harwell and Belfast play an important role in making it possible to explore and understand the Universe.

Thales Alenia Space is at the heart of the industrial quest to return the next man and put the first women on the Moon. The Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway is a space station that will orbit the Moon, provide vital support for a sustainable, human return to the lunar surface, as well act as a staging point for deep space exploration. Thales Alenia Space in the UK is excited to be selected for the design and build of the refuelling module for the Lunar Gateway, called ESPRIT.

Thales Alenia Space in Bristol delivered its first flight electronic hardware for Bepi-Columbo, launched in 2018. This is ESA’s first mission to Mercury - with a seven year journey to arrive at the smallest planet in our Solar System in 2025.

Continuing the theme of deep space exploration, Thales Alenia Space in the UK has been selected by ESA to lead a scientific study to find never before seen ‘pristine’ comets entering the Solar system for ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission, due to launch in 2028. The UK team is also involved in ESA’s PLATO mission to seek Earth-like planets around distant stars.

Thales Alenia Space in Bristol also delivered the Broadband Radiometer (BBR), a scientific instrument for ESA’s Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) satellite mission. The BBR instrument overcame a significant engineering challenge and has set a new standard in satellite radiometry. The EarthCARE mission, developed in co-operation with JAXA in Japan, aims to improve our understanding of the relationship between clouds, aerosols and radiation and their combined effects on the Earth’s climate system.

Inspiring future talent to reach for the stars. Everyone at Thales Alenia Space is passionate about space and explaining what we make possible to help inspire future generations of space explorers. We offer work experience placements to secondary year students and undergraduates as well as sponsorships for PhD students. We also work closely with many of the UK’s leading Universities, including Bristol, Bath, Manchester, Cranfield, University College London and University of Leicester and collaborate with SMEs and new space start-ups to help grow the UK’s growing space sector.

Thales Alenia Space is Prime contractor for the Mars Mission to look for signs of life on the red planet when the Rosalind Franklin Rover will land and explore the Martian surface and dig 2m deep below the surface to search for traces of life. Thales Alenia Space in Bristol delivered the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) flight models for the Rosalind Franklin Rover and the propulsion for the Carrier Module, part of the spacecraft that lands the Rover on the surface of Mars. The IMU enables the Rosalind Franklin Rover to navigate during its mission, providing critical data on its orientation, speed and direction.

We support UKSEDS, the UK National University Student Space Society and our STEM team offer ‘MarsBalloon’, a fun, hands-on experiment for primary and secondary students to study life on Mars. Students design and build their own experiments to fit into a small capsule for flight on a high altitude balloon to 30 km above the Earth’s surface where conditions (temperature, pressure, radiation) are similar to the surface on Mars.

Thales Alenia Space makes important contributions to Europe’s Earth Observation and Environmental space missions; including the Copernicus program which flies a suite of Sentinel satellites to track the health of the planet. These satellites observe and monitor for environmental protection, climate monitoring and natural disaster assessment and response services. Thales Alenia Space in the UK is proud to contribute to these important missions and has recently been awarded a contract by ESA to design and build a new scientific instrument to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by human activity, as part of ESA’s Copernicus CO2MAP mission. Thales Alenia Space in the UK is also making a major contribution to ESA’s FLEX mission that aims to measure photosynthetic activity from space to provide global maps of the health of vegetation.

Building 660 Bristol Business Park Coldharbour Road Bristol BS16 IEJ CommunicationsUK@thalesaleniaspace.com thalesaleniaspace

thalesaleniaspace.com 60

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TOUCHING THE EARTH LIGHTLY

Using simulation and other digital engineering tools, CFMS helps organisations to create more effective solutions. By modelling this regional passenger aircraft, CFMS demonstrated significant improvements in performance to reduce emissions. development design teams and processes become more closely coupled. PIONEERING ADVANCES IN DIGITAL ENGINEERING With more integrated processes and systems, an end-to-end thread of digital, data-driven processes, such as collaborating, simulating and The Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS) has for many years analysing information, leads to faster and more informed decisions being been active in developing capabilities that can exploit digital technology made. to improve industrial performance throughout the lifecycle of a product. Built on a strong computational and engineering knowledge pool, matched CFMS provides these tools and methods through consultancy services to by state-of-the-art facilities, the organisation provides an industrial-grade help clients adopt and exploit digitalisation. test bed for digital engineering solutions. This hosts design or process THE JOURNEY TO INDUSTRIAL DIGITALISATION simulations, together with real world data from operations, or products in the field, which is then analysed to improve performance – the essence of a CFMS is built around the four elements of digitalisation digital future.

IMPACTING THE DIGITAL FUTURE

Engineering Computing Services to provide a platform to enable organisations to collaborate and connect;

The continuing challenge for industry revolves around cost reductions, improving sustainability and increasing productivity. This situation is being compounded as products have become more complex and timelines are always too short. By establishing a digital approach to product

Model-Based Engineering and digital threads to improve design and processes;

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

By analysing virtual models, digital engineering experts at CFMS can create solutions that perform more efficiently. Here, engineers use VR headsets to interpret air acoustics and improve noise pollution. Advanced Simulation to explore the details of physical phenomena through a detailed digital model; Data Science services exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand large and complex datasets. The true value of CFMS lies in our ability to combine different digital engineering methods in innovative ways to produce significantly improved results. By combining multiple processes, CFMS delivers complex, advanced projects faster with improved results.

DELIVERING PRODUCTIVITY BENEFITS TO NEW SECTORS CFMS offers a full suite of digital engineering consultancy and services to help organisations adopt new methods and build better solutions.

The need to achieve net zero is forcing many organisations to find new ways to rapidly achieve dramatic improvements in energy efficiency. CFMS is working with many partners; end-users, vendors and academia to help deliver these more quickly. Several sustainable aviation demonstrators have shown how digital engineering can help achieve net zero goals more efficiently.

The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS) info@cfms.org.uk +44 (0) 117 906 1100 cfms CFMSuk

For more information on how digital engineering can improve your organisation, please visit our website, or call our office in the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

cfms.org.uk 62

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER PROVIDING INNOVATIVE WE ARE A LEADING COMPANY, WITH VAST EXPERIENCE AND WORLD-CLASS PEOPLE, WHO SOLVE THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES THAT REALLY MATTER. Test & Evaluation So the specifications look good on paper, but unless your expensive new aircraft, autonomous system or complex programme has been thoroughly tested beforehand by experienced professionals, you won’t have complete confidence in success. Nova Systems has been providing independent test & evaluation, along with other specialist engineering services, for over 20 years. With a passion for aerospace we’re committed to delivering innovative and tailored solutions, on time and on budget.

Our experience We were created in Australia in 2000 by two flight test professionals who envisioned a company based on the camaraderie, expertise and dedication of the professional teams who come together to develop and test new aircraft. Since then, we have grown to a global company of engineering and technology services professionals engaged in programmes of all sizes.

What we do Creating new technologies to work in the air, space or any other challenging environment demands innovation. It also demands people and equipment who can trial those technologies where they are meant to work. At Nova we have aircraft that, like flying laboratories, help our customers deliver that innovation; from a hovering helicopter to a jet plane high in the atmosphere. The arena of aerospace and defence test and evaluation is innovative by nature – you are evaluating and testing precisely because nobody has been there before.

European base In 2012 when we wanted to bring Nova to Europe, the West of England was the obvious choice. It has rich aerospace heritage and talent, an eco-system of innovative businesses, ideal geography and world-class research institutions. When our customers want to develop a new airborne camera for search and rescue missions, within minutes of take-off they can be evaluating it in mountainous country, over open sea or dense urban cityscape. We can recruit from and partner with three outstanding

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

aerospace engineering university departments. If we urgently need a prototype part to be made, a team at another innovative small company are a ten minute walk away. From our headquarters in Filton, at the heart of the aerospace cluster, we now support nearly 100 people across six European offices and projects operating from the United States to the edge of the Arctic Circle and the Middle East. With electric flight, automation and many other digital technologies revolutionising the world of aerospace we are working today with the realities of the skies of tomorrow.

Nova Systems contact@novasystemsuk.com Nova Systems Europe

novasystemsuk.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

. E R E H T R A T S S Y AMAZING JOURNE Over 10 years of transformation

VISION: To be everyone’s favourite airport. Delivering a future, we can all be proud of.

2008: 6.3 million 2019: 8.9 million

2008: 76,517 2019: 69,534

2008: 105 2019: 128

2008: Dublin 2019: Amsterdam

2008: 100.4 (LMAX) 2019: 82.3 (LMAX)

2008: 7.7% 2019: 13.8%

2008: 537,770 2019: 896,966

2008: 21.3% 2019: 53.4%

2008: 1,099.63 tonnes 2019: 0.12 tonnes

2008: 1.2 kg 2019: 0.62 kg

2008: 3,125 2019: 3,978

2008: £42,300 2019: £221,513

during this period. In 1955 a new location was needed for the City airport to meet the growing demand for air travel, Bristol Airport moved to its current location in North Somerset and opened in 1957. Today customers are welcomed with the promise that ‘amazing journeys start here’. It is a bold statement of intent from the South West’s busiest international gateway, but one that has been backed up by an ambitious programme of infrastructure development and customer enhancements in recent years with over £225 million invested in the last 10 years alone. The number of international routes available from Bristol Airport was in single figures at the turn of the millennium. This rapidly increased, and in 2019 over 120 direct destinations were operated by direct flights across 30 countries, handling over 9 million passengers per annum.

Bristol Airport is a growing, successful international airport, serving as the Region’s gateway enabling air connectivity between the region and the rest of the world. Air travel is a fundamental force for good supporting business, education, inbound tourism and supports the socioeconomic fabric of our society. Bristol Airport is committed to embedding sustainability into our business and encouraging continual improvement by embracing new technology and innovative ways of working; ensuring a sustainable future for Bristol Airport and the region it serves. Bristol Airport is one of the oldest airports in the UK and was originally formed in 1930. In 1939 it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry at the outbreak of World War II, handling 4,000 passengers a year. The Airport remained operational as an airport during the war years. The comings and goings of statesmen, spies, film stars and others are shrouded in secrecy, but Winston Churchill and Amy Johnson certainly used the Airport

Incredible advances in technical improvements are being made in aviation and many airlines now operate more fuel-efficient aircraft. New generation aircraft will deliver noise and emissions reductions, and with improved Airport procedures such as Continuous Descent Approaches for aircraft on arrival, help to reduce fuel consumption.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Whilst this addresses what is happening in the air, Bristol Airport is focused on this key issue and uses technology to improve efficiency and decrease carbon footprint on the ground. Bristol Airport was the first airport in Europe to offset all passenger journeys to and from the Airport by road commencing from January 2020. The carbon offsetting scheme forms part of the Airport’s carbon roadmap undertaking to be carbon neutral by 2025 and net zero by 2050 in line with the commitment made by the European airport industry, to which Bristol was amongst the first signatories. Bristol Airport uses 100 per cent renewable energy supply, increased solar power initiatives, and is adding additional electric vehicles to the fleet.

Passengers

As the aviation industry looks beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative that all regions of the country have sufficient infrastructure to build back better in a more sustainable way. Bristol Airport has taken this challenge and is aiming higher. The Airport is proud to be working with many key stakeholders in the South West through innovative projects across many environmental areas. The Airport is part of a consortium of regional businesses which have progressed a bid under the Local Industrial Strategy Grand Challenge for Future Flight funding to bring innovative alternative fuel flight operations to the South West. The Airport has been directly involved in obtaining funding with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to decarbonise regional transport including the introduction of on-demand bus services. The airlines operating from the Airport use some of the latest next generation aircraft including the Airbus A320 and A321 NEO which has been operating from the airport since 2018. The use of leading-edge technology continues and the Airport is looking at the role of autonomous vehicles onsite with successful live trials completed by CAPRI. The Airport is working hard to improve biodiversity and ecology on site and within the local area. A number of projects have been implemented, from locating beehives directly at the Airport; supporting local initiatives by organisations such as the Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust (BART); and funding tree planting for local flood prevention. Maintaining bat roosts and a badger ‘hotel’ on site, a summer ‘wild’ meadow as well as a 10 hectare woodland near the Airport to drive more wider biodiversity benefits, which includes Sites of Scientific Interest area.

Flights CO2

2008 6.3million per year

76,517

1.2kg per passenger

2019

69,534

0.62kg per passenger

8.9million per year

B A T H

Front door to the world. In 2019, 1.5 million visitors visited our region via Bristol Airport.

Over a decade of transformational change has taken place at Bristol Airport and data shows that whilst passenger numbers continued to increase, the number of flights in 2019 was below the number of aircraft movements in 2008. During the same period the Airport actively worked towards improvements in reducing its environmental footprint including reducing the CO2 emissions per passenger, reducing waste, with zero waste going into landfill and waste recycling increasing. With CO2 emissions reducing from 1.2kg per passenger in 2008 to 0.62kg per passenger in 2019.

Fly local. Bristol Airport commissioned a study in 2018 which concluded that if passengers from the South West used Bristol Airport instead of London Airports it would save an estimated 157,000 tonnes in carbon emissions - by making better use of Bristol Airport. 157,000 tonnes in carbon is equivalent to more than 15 million gallons of petrol, or similar to the amount generated by charging 17.7 billion smartphones or powering a 42” LCD TV for over 94,000 years! The study highlights that preventing people from using their local airport could have the unintended consequence of increasing carbon emissions and road congestion in the process.

Looking forward, Bristol Airport is working with the aviation industry in the region to ensure it becomes a global centre for clean aviation growth. Bristol Airport +44 (0) 371 334 4444 @BristolAirport

bristolairport.co.uk 66

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” — FRANK ZAPPA

CHAPTER 4

MOBILITY

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MICRO-MOBILITY, MAJOR BENEFITS: VOI E-SCOOTERS TRANSFORM TRANSPORTATION IN BRISTOL AND BATH

So long, age of the automobile! A new, fast-growing set of services is not only challenging cars’ dominance in transportation, but showing that good things come in small packages. Electric scooters and bikes, as well as other two- and three-wheeled vehicle types, are shrinking the physical footprint required to move people over short distances, while still offering freedom of movement, speed, and convenience.

Voi Technology is proud to be at the helm of that shift. Voi was founded in 2018 with a vision to improve the way people move around congested urban centres by offering e-scooter fleets as a cleaner, affordable alternative to cars. Voi operates in +60 cities across 11 countries. It is headquartered in Stockholm and employs + 500 people. To date, Voi boasts more than 6 million users and has served 45+ million rides.

Micro-mobility, as these services are known collectively, has the potential to better connect people with public transport, reduce reliance on private cars, and make the most of existing roadways, all while reducing carbon emissions (especially important, considering transport accounts for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe). And it’s clearly resonating with users, given its rapid adoption over the past couple of years. The micromobility market will reach an estimated value of over £86 billion by 2030. According to a June 2020 consumer survey by Voi Technology, a Swedish micro-mobility operator that’s now the UK’s number-one provider of e-scooters, 14% of its users are replacing car trips with e-scooters, up from 11% last year. Between 2019 and 2020, 42% of users combined e-scooters with public transport, highlighting a clear increase in micro-mobility conversion and shift in mobility habits.

Drawing on its experience in working with local authorities, scaling e-scooter operations, and committing to the safety and education of all road users to advance micro-mobility, Voi is now bringing this new form of environmentally friendly transport to the UK, where it operates in 17 cities and counting as a part of the Department for Transport (DfT) e-scooter trials. The DfT legalised 12-month e-scooter trials in July 2020 to support a green restart of the economy following the coronavirus pandemic and to provide a socially distant form of transportation that would ease the burden on public transport. Voi began operations in Bristol and Bath on 29 October, 2020, and since the trial began, citizens have really taken to riding around on two electric wheels. The service has expanded beyond the cities’ centres to include

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

South Gloucester and North Bath. To date, the region boasts over 128,500 unique riders (19,800 Bath, 108,700 Bristol) who’ve taken over 90,300 rides in Bath and a whopping 1,060,000 in Bristol. Collectively, they’ve travelled approximately 1,865,000 miles in the West of England — that’s the equivalent distance of circumventing the Earth 75 times! As you would expect, a new form of transport takes a while to bed in; there are inevitably some challenges that need to be addressed. Voi could not succeed without aligning its mission and vision with the regions in which it operates, and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has been an ideal partner to improve transport across the region and provide sustainable, long-term solutions to help people move around more easily.

Scooting through coronavirus A new way ahead

The coronavirus crisis has had a huge impact on the way we travel. Together with WECA, Voi is helping to change travel habits during the pandemic to improve air quality and traffic flow. As they operate in the open air, e-scooters are naturally suited to socially distant travel, especially for short urban journeys and the first and last mile of transit. Voi e-scooters undergo strict daily cleaning and maintenance, and Voi has offered free rides to all NHS and emergency service workers during the lockdown to make commuting easier.

As more people turn to micro-mobility to get to places, Voi is investing in solutions in WECA to make e-scooters safer and better for everyone, from implementing new parking racks to ensure scooters are parked in the best locations to introducing its safest e-scooter model to date, the Voiager 4, to the region this Spring. E-scooters are poised to become a key feature in the transportation landscape for commuting, deliveries, errands, and simply getting from A to B. Here’s to the new green transportation revolution!

Innovating new sustainable travel The region’s e-scooter trial with Voi was one of the first projects to be rolled out following the coronavirus outbreak. Bristol and Bath are also the first cities where Voi is piloting a new innovation: long-term e-scooter rentals, which offer users a practical, flexible, and costeffective alternative for riders who want to use the scooter daily as their main mode of transport. With long-term rentals, users will be able to ride the scooters throughout the WECA region. Currently, over 100 users are enrolled in the programme.

support@voiapp.io +44 (0) 0800 376 8179 voitechnology voiscooters voiscooters

voiscooters.com 70

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MOVING THE WORLD FROM LOW TO ZERO IMPACT MOBILITY, FASTER

cility new fa o t e c n t entra of fron Photo

ACCELERATING THE PACE ON AUTOMOTIVE PROPULSION R&D

over time, but we’ve innovated and shifted with the automotive industry to provide solutions that continuously adapt and align to its needs. We’ve expanded our team, facilities and expertise to support our automotive partners to develop future generations of cleaner, smarter engines, powertrains and driver technologies. At this critical stage in the evolution of the automotive industry, we’re investing and growing so we can continue to support our partners on the Road to Zero.

The Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) is a world-leading centre of excellence for research, innovation, enterprise and education, supporting the future direction of the automotive industry. Designed to drive research investment, deliver economic impact and address the skills shortage, IAAPS is a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.

OUR FOCUS ON THE FUTURE We will continue to innovate and adapt our offering to support the automotive industry to meet future air quality standards. Our new £70m R&I facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park has been designed with collaboration in mind, facilitating ever more efficient innovation with companies of all sizes. In total, IAAPS will house 17 test cells to enable deep insights into the complex nature of transitioning to future ultra-low

OUR INNOVATE STORY We have spent the last 40 years in pursuit of smarter and cleaner engines, powertrains and driver technologies. Our award-winning systems-based research is acknowledged internationally. The challenges have changed

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

and zero emission vehicles. The new facilities will enable research to be conducted into more and full electrification propulsion, hybrid configurations, energy storage and battery management as well as next generation fuels and high efficiency combustion engines. Digital engineering will play a critical role in the research taking place in the facility, which has been designed to enable the integration of both physical and virtual test assets. As the automotive industry looks to shift automotive testing and design into more virtual and simulated environments, experts at IAAPS will explore new experimental verification techniques and develop more advanced hardware-in-the loop and driver-in-the-loop simulations.

OUR PHILOSOPHY We take real world problems from industry and apply the best academic minds with access to stateof-the-art facilities to solve those challenges. Our approach is experimentally intensive, analytically demanding and highly collaborative. Our team is globally recognised for our expertise and industryfocused R&I and we work inclusively and flexibly with our partners to co-create solutions and insight. By stepping back from problems to explore the challenges, we deliver quality insights and solutions to our partners.

Architect’s aerial image of new facility

OUR COMPETENCIES Our core philosophy is underpinned by a systemlevel approach, cross cutting competencies and using individual specialisms to support customers. We work with partners on a full range of projects from short term test programmes to long term research collaborations. IAAPS offers industrial, academic, SME and research partners confidential world-class research expertise with a strong focus on collaborative research and support for business incubation and SME growth as well as graduate and postgraduate education & skills development. We continue to work with organisations and companies of all sizes to facilitate the knowledge transfer and innovation required to accelerate the transition to more sustainable propulsion systems. Architect’s image of internal control room The location of the new £70m IAAPS R&I facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park enables us IAAPS to continue to leverage the multi-disciplinary Newlands Lane, Emersons Green, expertise and research strength available across the University of Bristol, BS16 7PT Bath whilst also connecting us in to the vibrant innovation eco+44 (0) 1225-38-68 33 system in and around the Science Park. iaaps@bath.ac.uk

Bath_IAAPS

iaaps.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies.

Key findings:

There is an expectation that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will play a significant role in the future of transport. They have the potential to address critical safety issues associated with human-driven vehicles, and to increase accessibility and inclusivity, addressing some of the broader socio-economic challenges faced by an ageing society.

In the VENTURER simulator and the Wildcat road vehicle, participant responses were comparable between both simulated and controlled road network environments. Planned handover between autonomous driving systems and the human driver is achievable in optimum conditions, but not necessarily desirable in safety terms. Participants have greater trust in the behaviours of autonomous vehicles when they demonstrate more cautious vehicle behaviour than the average human driver. Participants did not show significant differences in trust ratings depending on whether they experienced the trial scenarios in the role of a cyclist, driver or pedestrian, suggesting that there is no need to differentiate messaging around CAVs for different audiences. Recommendations made included clarity on the legal and insurance definitions of automated vehicles and to establish minimum standards for data collection and sharing for incident investigation and analysis.

Based in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, VENTURER was a research and development project investigating the barriers to the adoption of CAVs in the UK. The project, led by Atkins, represented a diverse partnership of universities, large and small businesses and local authorities. It drew on state-of-the-art technologies, industry expertise and world-class academic research to establish the West of England as a centre of excellence for the safe trialling of CAV technology, user behavioural response analysis and social research.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

The VENTURER ALLIANCE continues to help shape the future of mobility, and many of its members took part in another ground-breaking CAV project with a broader scope, FLOURISH.

B A T H

FLOURISH has developed an Incident Response Framework, a scenario-based approach, which would enable appropriate mitigation measures to be put in place to enable the safe operation of a network of driverless vehicles.

FLOURISH was a multi-sector collaboration led by Atkins based in the West of England. It was co-funded between industry and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and was part of the government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund, supporting the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.

Atkins is working in partnership with WECA on the Future Transport Zone (FTZ) project, focussed on trialling replicable transport innovations that can improve connectivity, enhance regional productivity, and widen access to employment.

FLOURISH explored: USER EXPERIENCE and how the vehicle responds to user needs; TRANSFER OF DATA to optimise future transport networks; RELIABLE AND CYBER-RESILIENT COMMUNICATION between vehicles and other transport infrastructure. The project completed eight trials in simulated and real-world environments, generating important findings to support the safe and inclusive introduction of CAVs onto the UK road network.

Through improving digital connectivity via: A Data Hub - Unifying datasets and gathering new data to maximise the understanding of travel demands, enabling more effective management of the transport system Mobility as a Service (MaaS) – Creating a one-stop-shop for all mobility services, to facilitate seamless door-to-door journeys with integrated ticketing and advanced journey planning informed by live updates of the transport network from the Data Hub.

Key findings: Older adults engaged with the CAV and its Human-Machine Interface (HMI) more effectively when they received audio instructions and information rather than written communication, however, a combination of audio and written communication had the most positive impact. Based on theoretical models and real-world trials, they found the maximum distance for the successful communication of messages to be 472 metres, with some non-line-of-sight coverage achieved. Transmission reliability showed a rapid drop-off in the delivery of reliable communications beyond 120 metres. The vehicle received 95% of all messages within 50 milliseconds. With its varied topography, the results proven in Bristol are directly transferable to other cities across the country, in both even and more challenging terrain. The real-world car trials showed the efficacy and benefits of novel fogbased computation - a hierarchical network where, in addition to the cloud layer, there are computing resources in closer proximity to CAVs. This setup vastly reduces latency and facilitates additional safetycritical services.

And improving physical connectivity: Mobility Stations – Establishing physical, multi-modal interchange points, integrating multiple modes and services. Stations will provide the first mile/last mile connectivity to the existing public transport network to expand the catchment and maximise the use of public transport. Dynamic Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) - Providing first/ last mile public transport alternatives to link locations with limited accessibility to frequent public transport corridors to enable previously unfeasible journeys. Micromobility - Plugging short-distance gaps in public transport provision with sustainable solutions, including e-scooters and e-cargo bikes. Atkins atkinsglobal +44 (0) 145-466-2000 atkins_global info@atkinsglobal.com atkins

atkinsglobal.com 74

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FUSION IS NOW LEADING A CONSORTIUM ON THE WORLD’S MOST COMPLEX AND AMBITIOUS AUTONOMOUS BUS PILOT; CAVFORTH. Who is Fusion Processing? Bristol based Fusion Processing design and build world leading Autonomous Driving systems and develop smart technology to improve vehicle safety. Fusion are innovators in public transport with their CAVstar® control and sensing system utilised in a range of automated vehicles, from full sized buses, to last mile pods.

We use our deep theoretical knowledge, coupled with practical knowhow and experience to create highly advanced products that are both effective and robust. And our carefully chosen network of supply chain partners ensures our high-quality products can be delivered in volume to customers’ required standards, whilst our experience working with large vehicle manufacturers ensures we can integrate seamlessly with their product development processes.

In fact two of the UK’s largest bus operators selected Fusion Processing to autonomise their vehicles and Fusion are now leading a consortium on the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous bus pilot; CAVForth.

Fusion’s engineers are also working on a number of innovative autonomous vehicle projects for industrial and military clients. Follow our Twitter feed for the very latest developments: twitter.com/fusionproc

Fusion Processing doesn’t just do autonomous vehicles. Some of the clever Artificial Intelligence technology is applied to smart sensors which can revolutionise how smart cities of the future operate. Smart Cities rely on data to phase traffic lights to reduce congestion, which in turn cuts vehicle emissions. Fusion’s TrafficTrack systems can monitor multiple flows of traffic and identify various types of traffic as it passes. It can even be used to trigger smart signs when cyclists or motorcyclists are approaching busy junctions.

If you’d like to find out how we can autonomise your vehicles or provide smart sensors for Smart Cities, please get in touch contact@fusionproc.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Did you know? Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) are expected to prevent 25,000 serious accidents and save 2,500 lives over the next 10 years. The CAV industry is also projected to create 25,000 new jobs in the automotive sector and as many as 320,000 more in supporting sectors, like programming.

Pantone 254c 50% cyan - 100% magenta RGB 148/33/147

CAVs are also expected to be far more fuel efficient, be they powered electric or internal combustion engines. Estimates range from 7 – 20% which is considerable over the life of a vehicle. The CAV industry is expected to add £51 billion pounds to the UK economy each year (2014 – 2030)

Pantone cyanBuses Autonomous 100% cyan Fusion Processing are leading a consortium to deliver CAVForth, a three year project culminating with a six-month pilot, that will see a fleet of RGB 0/175/236 five AV Level 4 autonomous buses operating a scheduled service along a

cyclists moving alongside the vehicle and into the ‘blind spot’ to prevent collisions.

30-mile route between Edinburgh and Fife, across the Forth Road Bridge. Whilst the buses will have a safety driver onboard, they won’t be expected to touch the controls. Fusion’s Artificial Intelligence, CAVstar, will have full control of the vehicle.

An evolution of this technology sees the CycleEye CMS (Camera Mirror System) replace the cumbersome wing mirrors and bring the very latest Advanced Driver Assistance System to the market. In addition to the collision avoidance function provided by the standard unit, the new unit combines high definition cameras covering a full field of view usually seen by the mirrors to provide a live feed to displays mounted to the inside of the windshield.

Pantone cyan We’re working closely with; Stagecoach Group, Alexander Dennis, Transport Scotland, Napier University and the Bristol Robotics Lab and are 70% black on track for the first test runs later this year. RGB 109/111/113

An optional forward looking detection unit, complete with Fusion’s Artificial Intelligence algorithms, can be added to enhance detection of vulnerable road users in front of the vehicle too, providing all round collision prevention. This exciting new product will be tested with bus operators in the coming months.

When CAVForth starts carrying members of the public in 2021, Edinburgh will see the greatest number of autonomous journeys being made anywhere on the planet, with up to 10,000 passengers using the scheduled service each week. As part of the CAVForth Project the partners are also putting together a comprehensive safety case which includes the key domains: Autonomous Drive System, Vehicle, Infrastructure and Operation. The safety case takes account of the relevant standards including ISO26262 Functional Safety, whilst also covering the latest developments in cyber security and emerging standards relating to autonomous vehicles.

Vehicle Safety Fusion does far more than just autonomous vehicles, we apply our knowhow and smart tech to vehicle safety where it is saving lives and protecting vulnerable road users.

Fusion Processing +44 (0) 117-911-9258 contact@fusionproc.com fusion-processing FusionProc

Our vehicle safety tech includes a product called CycleEye which uses radar and optical cameras to detect cyclists alongside the vehicle. When fitted to buses and heavy goods vehicles, CycleEye alerts the driver to

fusionproc.com 76

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FOR A WORLD WHERE NOBODY HAS TO THINK ABOUT TRANSPORT

IN PARTNE RS

Shuttle Bus Info rmation

Ask your emplo yer for a travel code

“

123456789 abcdefg

3 Scan on when you board the bus

“

Esoterix Systems has been spearheading the development of new technology to support better passenger transport in the UK since 2012, with the guiding principles of affordable, accessible, inclusive and complementary (to the existing network, aiming to amplify rather than compete). The expert multidisciplinary team takes a whole system approach, learning from passenger, operator and stakeholder feedback from multiple in-the-field trials to build processes and products which make mobility smoother.

2 Download the app , create your account and buy your travel

HIP

Tesco colleague s plea

se contact your line manager or people advisor Lidl colleagues, who will issue you please email avob with your unique us@lidl.co.uk for code your unique sign up code.

PRICES: £2.20 for one trip

It all started with an empty bus. And another one. And another one. David Stewart, a network optimisation expert, frustrated with the sight of buses circulating without passengers would play a game with his children of ‘Empty Bus Bingo’. He wanted a more functional transport network for their future and foresaw that the advent of mobile phone and location technology would be key to that. And so, the journey began…

. £20 for a bundle

of 10 trips . £72 for

a bundle of 40 trip s

taxibus feeder service to the greater Bristol bus network and pop-up shared transport for people with specific mobility needs. In so doing the company has delivered (so far) over 33,000 accessible and sustainable journeys in Bristol which improve access to employment, education and healthcare.

Since then, Esoterix has brought in excess of £2.5m funding into the region and run multiple ‘living lab’ trials that have made industry headlines. The trials have enabled it to evolve and improve service ideas through interaction with passengers, and to test new business models in partnership with employers and the local authorities. Examples include a

‘Transport is a particularly fascinating sector’ says co-founder Liz Davidson, who leads on the experimental development of services. ‘Because of new technological possibilities “intelligent transport” is moving incredibly quickly but we have found that all too often technophiles make

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

. \FǳǺ YȢ ǯǲǵ FǮW șǼFǱǮYȂ ǯȡ WTǽǪ 'WNǷǺȢQ Lake Road

Cherington

By using the M you can do YFIRSTMILE Henle aze Loop your bit to reduce pr use and re ivate car duce air po llution ho tspots

Road

Eastfield Inn

Bus route 2

Waitrose

Henleaze Park Drive Henley Grove

dark map areas cont above UK legal limits ain NO2 levels , data from 2016

Longmead Avenue

Springfield Grove Halsbury Road

Coldharb our Road / Devonshi re Road

MY FIRST MILE

Co-op 335 Glouc ester Road Bus routes 71, 72, 73 75, 76, T2

assumptions about people and operations. We’re proud to test our own assumptions and feel that as a result the products we build are stronger and more robust.’

The MYFIR STM Henleaze ILE Loop makes it easy

Phoenix Grove

we w w w.MYF can all make a diffe IRSTMILE. rence co.uk /airp ollution

Esoterix in

partnership

with

The team has built partnerships with leading industry and academic entities, including Go-Ahead, Stagecoach, First Bus, University of West of England, University of Bristol, University of Exeter, ITP World, and Bristol City Council to name but a few. ‘Our vision is of a world where nobody has to think about transport’, says Siobhan Myles, Chief Innovation Officer. ‘Innovation is in our DNA and we’re always looking at new ways of working and how to bridge silos for better outcomes.’

Esoterix’ current work focuses on two particular challenges. Firstly, they are being sponsored by the Department for Transport to develop machine learning which can be used to smooth network usage through the dynamic pricing of trains and buses. And secondly, they are looking at how to improve connectivity in hard to serve areas with low population density through a more effective brokering between supply and demand.

Got a question or just want to chat about transport and technical and societal possibilities? Do get in touch. The team would love to hear from you. Esoterix Systems +44 (0) 117-428-5755 liz.davidson@esoterix.co.uk esoterix-systems esoterixsystems

Both work streams aim to underpin the passenger’s full journey in a way that is affordable, accessible, and sustainable (environmentally and economically).

Esoterix.co.uk 78

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MAKING HOME-TO-SCHOOL TRANSPORT BUDGETS GO FURTHER

Providing transport for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN-D) is a statutory duty of local authorities but it helps to remember that this service is a lifeline for families living in extremely challenging circumstances. At a conference last year, a mother described how she had managed to gain ‘A’ levels, a degree, a PGCE and a job as an English teacher whilst her severely disabled son was cared for at school, and in getting to-and-from school.

The planners’ job Planners need to combine the journeys individuals need to make (where they’re going to and when) for delivery by locally available supply. Although software solutions have been around for nearly 30 years, until relatively recently experienced planners could get better results manually. QRoutes is different. The quality of its automated results and its mapbased editing features mean planners can calculate and compare optimised solutions in seconds.

QRoutes helps local authorities and schools organise better home to school transport. “Better” means a higher quality of service for students, lower transport emissions and lower overall cost for the budget holder.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Transport in the UK Although the number of children with SEN-D entitlement is the minority, it commands a significant budget. UK local authorities spend in excess of £1bn per annum on home-to-school transport. A 2019 report found 69% of that is spent on the 26% of transported children qualifying as SEN-D. This has had a knock-on effect on ‘mainstream’ school transport. Councils have felt forced to cut their spend on discretionary home to school services by 27%. More students travelling to school by car is clearly not going to help the country meet its climate change commitments.

“I think it is still a valuable tool for even very experienced planners. They’ll have ideas in their heads that they believe is the most efficient way. But sometimes [this software] will show things that they wouldn’t have seen.” — Adrian Weissenbruch, SEND Transport Planner, Wiltshire County Council.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Appropriate transport for each child The day-to-day operational demands mean planners need to make quick decisions. Previously, faced with a situation in which a child urgently needed transport planners would call a taxi. Who would complain about a taxi ride to school? Indeed, for children with social or behavioural problems, that may be the right solution. But for those who acutely feel the pain of being singled out for their otherness, the social element of travelling together is an important part of their day. Sharing is important for social as well as financial reasons.

“It has been one big nightmare getting the children all back to school, although I must admit it would have been 10 times worse without QRoutes.”

Lower costs, lower emissions, and better client experience On average, QRoutes customers save between 10%-15% of operating cost through reducing the number of vehicles required and the overall mileage travelled. Leeds City Council saved 400 miles a day, equating to around 12 tonnes of CO2 per year by planning with QRoutes and reduced the number of children with extended journey times.

— Lynnette Marks, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Digital resilience and the future The demands on planners are increasing. More children than ever are entitled to supported home-to-school transport. Climate change is knocking at the door, and we need to improve shared transport options for the younger generation (alongside safer walking and cycling).

And then COVID came along When lockdown happened, QRoutes made its staff and software available to support local authorities free of charge wherever needed. The team also implemented some technical updates to better enable package deliveries.

It’s not rocket science that making best use of the available resources, makes more resource available. Digital transformation is the ‘how’. The children and their families are the why. The amazing achievements of the mother who spoke at the conference are evidence of the impact these services can have on improving outcomes.

“The support from QRoutes has been a huge help in enabling efficiencies with daily driver planning.” — Victoria Harper, who is leading the Food Response team at Manchester City Council.

QRoutes Ltd +44 (0) 117-428-5780 liz.davidson@qroutes.co.uk, qroutes-ltd qroutes

During the build-up to the return to school QRoutes enabled planners to assess how many vehicles would be needed if all children travel with social distancing, how to plan travel in bubbles, and how to allocate pupils to different bus stops so they could socially distance safely before boarding.

qroutes.co.uk 80

“At its heart engineering is about using science to find creative practical solutions. It’s a noble profession.” — QUEEN ELIZABETH II

CHAPTER 5

ADVANCED ENGINEERING

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Combining bright minds and an inspirational environment to create disruptive solutions that provide transformational intelligence and value for people from data and novel technology. Viper Innovations Ltd, was founded in 2007 by co-owners and Directors Max Nodder and Neil Douglas. Initially set up as an engineering consultancy, offering design and project management services for subsea equipment, it invested heavily in research & development (R&D). This has resulted in a strong pipeline of product and services generating revenue growth derived from the business’ own intellectual property. Today Viper is a high-tech, innovative and disruptive SaaS model business serving the subsea oil & gas, rail and other industrial sectors with proprietary, award-winning technology and products. Proudly filled with incredible people and bright minds, it is agile, pro-active and disruptive. Viper’s HQ is based in Portishead near Bristol, which provides excellent national and international communications links and has also resulted in strong working relationships with local Universities for academic research and graduate recruitment.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Viper’s technology and products maximise the operational life of mission critical control systems and electrical cables used in harsh environments. They do this through integrity monitoring & fault finding and in the case of subsea applications, remote repair of electrical insulation on cables. The technology and services provide for proactive, planned maintenance instead of reactive repair or replacement. Where a repair or replacement is necessary Viper’s technology identifies and locates the fault, allowing for speedy action. This avoids delays, significant costs and safety risks through manual fault finding.

Innovation at the Core Innovation is at Viper’s Core and is a vital part of their strategy in achieving continued growth. Viper’s ability to deliver innovative products and services is hugely based on their people’s combined years of extensive experience in key sectors and being able to work closely with Universities. Staff are continuously encouraged and inspired to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of existing technology in the marketplace. Viper’s approachable management team and culture of clear and open communication provides

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

their teams with the space and freedom to be innovative in everything they do. Critical to Viper’s success has been ensuring continuous improvement is employed to introduce new advancements and learnings across everything they do, while truly understanding the needs of their customers.

B A T H

electro-kinetic and electrochemical process to reverse the effects of electrical degradation in subsea cables. Many Oil and Gas Operators are aware that low Insulation Resistance can also cause copper loss in the cables, which V-LIFE helps to remediate. The benefits of improving insulation without costly intervention have been recognised worldwide, with multiple oil field operators now actively using the V-LIFE technology. Many clients are now standardising on Viper’s V-LIM (Line Integrity Monitoring) to monitor their mission critical electrical cables.

Viper is proud of being a knowledge-based company with a substantial focus on Research & Development. They have continued to employ highly talented people and collaborate with Universities through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), and sponsorship of PhD research. Viper completed a successful KTP with the University of the West of England, which was graded as “Outstanding” by Innovate UK in 2019. This combination of expert experience and knowledge has been highly effective in the design and development of their innovative products and services, which have achieved recognition through various awarding bodies. Some of the most prestigious include; the 2014 PwC National Private Business Award for Innovation & Technology, the 2016 Queens Award for Enterprise (Innovation Category) and 2018 IET Innovation Award.

In recent years, Viper’s proven technologies have been transferred from the subsea Industry to the rail and industrial sectors. Following a fiveyear research and development programme, working in collaboration with Network Rail, CableGuardian was designed to improve the electrical integrity management of railway signalling power distribution networks.

Product Development Journey

CableGuardian is a sophisticated cloud-hosted cable monitoring and fault diagnosis system designed to help prevent service affecting failures before they occur by delivering precise conditions trending down to individual cable level and accurately pinpointing fault locations and instances of cable theft.

Viper has enjoyed significant success in its core international subsea market, with a particular focus on V-LIFE- its Insulation Resistance Recovery Product, designed for subsea cables experiencing low insulation resistance caused by water ingress. The patented technology uses an

Incorporated within the CableGuardian product is ‘reflectometry’ cable fault detection technology that was developed by the University of Utah and acquired by Viper through an equity investment and licence agreement with a spin-out company from that University.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

CableGuardian reduces the time-consuming and hazardous practice of technicians manually walking alongside the railway lines to test for and locate cable faults. The technology operates continuously on live power networks providing critical cable and conductor condition information in real-time, eliminating the need to power down the system for intrusive periodic testing.

Designed for Reliability Next Phase of Growth Reliability, Availability and Maintainability are critical considerations when designing products for the harsh and complex environments across the sectors Viper operate in, this is particularly important for the Subsea Oil and Gas and Railway sectors.

Viper has enjoyed significant, consistent growth and diversification of its technology into new sectors and applications. It has ambitious plans for further growth all built on the foundations of its people, culture, innovation and appetite to disrupt.

Viper’s extensive experience means they understand the product development process and the reasons why a disciplined and rigorous approach is required for high-reliability applications. These processes are used every day and regularly audited to ensure relevancy and adherence, a process of continuous improvement is also employed to introduce improvements and learnings. Viper’s level of understanding combined with their meticulous processes and continuous improvement ensures that DFR (Designed For Reliability) is in their ‘DNA’.

Viper Innovations Ltd Marine View Office Park, 45 Martingale Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7AW

enquiries@viperinnovations.com +44 (0) 1275 787878 ViperInnovates Viper Innovations Ltd

viperinnovations.com 86

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of energy systems through innovative thermal engineering technology, inspired and enabled by Additive Manufacturing.

HiETA Technologies is a product development and production company specialised in the use of Additive Manufacturing (metal 3-D printing). Our specific expertise is in thermal management and light-weighting. The company’s activities almost all lead to carbon reduction, and we expect that climate change mitigation can only increase the demand for our products and services. While the performance of our products continues to improve at a very high rate, their costs are also falling, with equally rapid improvements in all elements of the supply chain. So, besides our initial markets of motorsport, aerospace and defence, our products and services are fast becoming very attractive to markets such as energy and automotive.

HiETA is unique in offering true end-to-end services in additive manufacturing and has now proved that it can take clean-sheet ideas through engineering development and into series production. The company was founded by Mike Adams, a serial entrepreneur with experience in the implementation of automated systems and change management. His founding partner Drummond Hislop is a development economist with an engineering background and a long-standing interest in carbon-reducing, thermally efficient engine systems. Starting with a clean sheet of paper has allowed us to challenge conventional wisdom in both design and manufacturing. The idea for the endeavour came from

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Drummond Hislop when in the late 1990s he was working on a new generation of Stirling engine and was looking for ways of improving the performance of the compact heat exchangers on which the Stirling engine depended. He realised that the then-emerging technology of additive manufacturing would allow new, more efficient architectures for compact heat exchanger cores, that previously had been very difficult or even impossible to make. With great foresight, he filed a number of patents that subsequently went on to form the basis of the early research and development work undertaken by HiETA. HiETA is now highly regarded as a worldclass product development company and boasts an enviable list of blue-chip customers. HiETA holds innovation at the core of the products and services we supply. From the design tools we have developed in house, the heat transfer surfaces we apply in heat exchangers right through to the manufacturing processes we have developed, innovation is key. HiETA is well placed in its region to service its aerospace primes and tier 1s with the industry hub in the Bristol area. Furthermore, its world class facilities out of the Science Park, mean its located next to a number of other innovative companies which have been partners on a number of projects.

Bristol & Bath Science Park Dirac Crescent Emerson’s Green Bristol BS16 7FR United Kingdom

+44 (0) 117 370 7733 info@hieta.biz HiETA Technologies

hieta.biz

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TOUCHING THE EARTH LIGHTLY WHO WE ARE it is no surprise that we have delivered some of the region’s best-known projects, including work for Dyson, the Eden Project, Wessex Water, and the Universities of Bristol and Exeter.

With over 40 years’ experience, we have been involved in some of the most influential and innovative projects around the world. As a practice of engineers, consultants and advisers in all aspects of built environments, we are inspired by how we can achieve better outcomes. Our global capability offers consultancy services for better decisions from the start, digital technology that delivers genuine value and engineering design for challenging projects.

Our Bath office has also delivered some of the most challenging and highly regarded projects in the world, from The Louvre in Abu Dhabi to the Highline in New York, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and the Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore. Each one a testament to pushing innovative engineering and design solutions to realise better outcomes.

Buro Happold helps develop built environments that are better for people, places and the planet. In the words of our founder Ted Happold, our resounding principle is to “touch the earth lightly” because every environment in which we live, work, move and socialise shares equity with the planet. We value human wellbeing, embrace mutual responsibility and understand that a sustainable future is intrinsic to the economic and social impact of our work.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Bath Abbey Footprint Project, UK Developing innovations and finding solutions is at the core of everything we do, internationally and locally such as the Bath Abbey Footprint Project.

OUR STORY

As one of the most visited places in the South West, Bath Abbey welcomes over 420,000 visitors annually. With parts of the Abbey dating back to the 16th Century, significant renovation projects have been undertaken in an effort to secure the future of this historically important building.

From a small business start-up in a townhouse office in Bath in 1976, to a leading international business with nearly 2,000 employees (450 of which are based in our Bath office), Buro Happold has always been a practice with unlimited ambition. With such a significant presence in the South West,

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We identified that the city’s hot spring water presented an ideal opportunity to provide the Abbey with a sustainable heating system, but the water is technically difficult to use in practice. After plenty of analysis and lots of studies, our team proposed a solution to allow the Abbey to use water from the hot springs for the heating system. The Abbey’s floor has over 8,500 burials beneath it, many of which have started to collapse, making the floor structurally unstable. The building’s 100-year-old heating system was also starting to fail. Our engineers are stabilising the floor, designing new heating and refurbishing the vaults below ground floor level to expand the Abbey’s facilities. This £20 million project will protect the historical building into the future, preserving this World Heritage Site and allowing it to continue to attract thousands of visitors every year.

Over the 18-month effort, Buro Happold in partnership with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) worked closely with civic leadership and community stakeholders to develop an inclusive vision and actionable roadmap for a healthy and vital region.

The time to act is now As a business and as engineers and consultants, we are working together with clients, collaborators, and our communities towards a net zero carbon world; our greatest challenge and opportunity as we strive to deliver solutions with a sense of economy for our planet and its resources.

LA Countrywide Sustainability Plan, US Over 5,000 miles from Bath, Buro Happold led the development of the first-ever Countywide Sustainability Plan for Los Angeles County. This comprehensive plan leverages critical resources and systems across the county, the largest and most complex county in the United States with over 10 million residents and 88 incorporated cities.

Buro Happold +44 (0) 122-532-0600 claire.smith@burohappold.com burohappoldengineering buro_happold BuroHappold

burohappold.com 90

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Rotary measurement is what we know and do best. We enable advanced engineering companies to manufacture to the highest levels of accuracy to execute innovative new products that are more technologically advanced, efficient, and green. Our high precision rotary inspection systems measure circular geometry and angular positioning of high value, advanced technology components and products, for progressive engineering industries. We provide our world leading customers with the tools to greatly improve manufacturing accuracy and efficiency, significantly reduce measuring time on the production line, reduce uncertainty and increase measuring volume. Enabling them to innovate their own production methods results in more efficient and environmentally sound manufacture of parts and components. For example, aircraft engines that reduce carbon emissions because the degree to which they have been manufactured is so highly accurate.

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), circular geometry, calibration, general metrology and scientific. An increased product range and technologies came through acquisitions amalgamating Eimeldingen UK Ltd, Airmatic, Horstmann and OMT rotary products thereby further enhancing the company’s experience in precision rotary inspection systems. The acquisition by Huber Diffraktionstechnik GmbH based in Rimsting Germany in 2011 further expanded and complemented RPI’s product portfolio, expertise and customer base in the areas of research and industrial measurement. RPI is a self-sufficient organisation able to design and manufacture bespoke products to match our customer’s specific requirements. All work is carried out by our professional UK trained team based at our head office in the City of Bath.

Rotary Precision Instruments UK Ltd (RPI) has a long-established reputation as a major supplier of rotary tables and angular positioning products. Since its formation in the 1940s as Optical Measuring Tools (OMT), RPI has become the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of these products to major manufacturers in the Aerospace, Automotive, Power Generation, Machine Tool, Scientific and General Engineering sectors. With an install base of thousands of systems, applications include

With 80 years of rotary expertise behind us, RPI not only has the knowhow but also deliver exceedingly dependable products with a service life measured in decades, not just years!

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Innovation We have a passion for innovation and problem-solving. Our on-going program of design and development continually enhances our product range and explores new ways to encompass digitalisation and the practice of industry 4.0 to meet the needs of our customers. Benefiting from decades of experience, our circular geometry and angular positioning products encompass such advanced air bearing technology, it allows us to measure extremely large components to sub-micron accuracy and our Quadrant range is designed to totally optimise CMM inspection.

Going Forward

We have developed 12 new products over the past 4 years, and many are used by our customers as an enabler to develop their own new products. For example, the pursuit of the aerospace industry to reduce the impact on the environment can be worked towards by developing turbine blades that are so finely tuned and accurately manufactured that once installed they positively impact the reduction of carbon emissions as part of the engine operation.

We are particularly driven and excited by Industry 4.0 and engaging in new innovations that address the challenges which the industry faces to reduce its environmental impact. Our technology can help manufacturers to evolve and deploy improved production processes around the globe that ultimately contribute to achieving a far greener sector and sustainable planet.

The region Situated in the largest cluster of Aerospace and Advanced Engineering companies in Europe, the South West is home to and represented by every major manufacturer in the industry, which is our primary target market. This buoyant innovation hub means we are perfectly positioned to understand the direction of the industry and apply our expertise to adapt our products accordingly. We do however export over 70% of our products to the developed and emerging manufacturing economies around the world.

Jim Palmer +44 (0) 1225 426206 sales@rpiuk.com rpi_uk RPIUKLtd rotary-precision-instruments-uk-ltd

rpiuk.com 92

CHAPTER 6

ROBOTICS

“Robotics provides the bridge from the digital into the real world; creating smart physical devices that work with us and for us and will be at the heart of an infinity of new applications.” — PROFESSOR CHRIS MELHUISH, BRL

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE PRIMARY MISSION OF BRL IS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND SOCIAL ROLE OF ROBOTICS AND EMBEDDED INTELLIGENCE

Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) is the most comprehensive academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK, and one of the largest co-located robotics research centres in Europe. It is a partnership between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University of Bristol and home to over 450 academics, industry practitioners and researchers from more than 50 countries.

BRL’s primary mission is to understand the science, engineering and social role of robotics and embedded intelligence. In particular, the key challenges surrounding adaptive robotics, namely: dealing with people and their unpredictability, unstructured and uncertain environments, and equipping robots for flexible roles.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRL maintains strong national and international links with industry and academic institutes and has an enviable track-record of successful research and innovation. The lab is involved in multiple innovative applications of robotics for commercial and industrial exploitation, and houses a Hardware Incubator and Robotics Innovation Facility (RIFBristol). BRL’s Hardware Incubator is a core element of UWE’s University Enterprise Zone (UEZ) and was formed to support graduates, start-ups and early-stage businesses focused on robotics, hardware and smart devices. Since 2013, BRL has contributed more than £46 million to the UK economy. Adjacent to the Hardware Incubator is the Robotics Innovation Facility providing robotics and automation consultancy services, including training, prototyping and testing of new products. Its team of engineers help a range of clients including entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and larger corporations to de-risk ideas and overcome innovation challenges. RIFBristol has helped over 620 organisations, including 400 SMEs.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRL works closely with trade associations and industry networks and hosts a variety of national and international robotics conferences and competitions. It also hosts the West of England Robotics Network (WoERN), the Women in Robotics Network and AI Hub. On-site facilities comprise 32 (25m2) research bays equipped with numerous robots, five wet labs incorporating a microbiology lab for developing microbial fuel cell technologies, chemical lab, polymer/soft robotics lab and two temperature controlled wet labs. BRL also includes seven experimental test-beds including a flying arena, industrial robotics swarm arena,

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

nuclear decommissioning suite, machine vision centre, haptics lab, and a fully sensored/networked assisted living studio for testing home robot solutions. This is complemented by a driverless car workshop and test simulation suite, a hazardous test area for laser and x-ray testing, and multiple workshops boasting state of the art rapid prototyping, 3D printing and CNC equipment. In addition to its core research activities, BRL offers PhD level research programmes through its EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The Laboratory also offers a full range of taught courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Masters level research programmes and selected internships. Students from across the world understand the wealth of opportunities Bristol Robotics Laboratory provides, from Gold standard teaching to accessing state-ofthe-art facilities, equipment and technical support, whilst industry acknowledges the highly skilled talent pool within BRL that continues to contribute and shape the technologies of tomorrow.

B A T H

Info@brl.ac.uk +44 (0) 117 3286913 Bristol Robotics Laboratory University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom bristolrobotlab BristolRoboticsLab

brl.ac.uk bristolroboticslab.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SPECIALISTS IN BIOLOGICAL MOTION.

Elumotion specialises in developing commercial robotic devices to emulate biological motion. Our designs draw on the elegance and effectiveness of naturally evolved solutions and use the latest technological advances to create cutting edge robots. Motivated by this work, we have developed and patented a radical lightweight electric actuation technology - designed from scratch to achieve the efficient, quiet, precise, and forceful performance of muscle tissue. Elumotion Ltd was founded in 2002 by Dr Graham Whiteley and Craig Fletcher. Their portfolio includes the initial design and development of a market leading prosthetic hand currently sold by OSSUR; a range of human-scale robotic torsos and a state-of-the-art robotic hand, currently sold by SCHUNK. The torso uses 18 actuators plus an additional 9 in each hand, providing the range and dexterity required for convincing movement - and exemplifies our recurring challenge - to find compact, lightweight actuators able to sustain the high levels of performance needed for humancompatible movement. In our search for actuators that are robust and reliable in long term operational use we have pushed commercially available actuation to its’ limits, without finding a solution. This led us to the

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Next generation electric actuators To address this challenge, we have designed and built a radical new actuator with tight integration between electric motor and a frictionless transmission fully capable of providing the ultra-efficient, cleaner, quieter and smarter motion-control needed by humanoid, mobile and off-grid devices. Our novel actuation is attracting interest from market leading OEMs as an enabling technology with capability, cost-saving, and sustainability advantages over state-of-the-art. WaveDrives’ actuators have already been chosen to solve motion-control challenges in prosthetics, robotics and transport electrification, with many further potential applications, including suspension/damping, energy recovery, manufacturing/gripping and telehaptic transmission.

wider opportunity: automation and pervasiveness of modern technology requires more sustainable, lightweight and capable actuators. For example, energy efficiency requirements are driving electrification in transport; logistics and manufacturing are becoming fully automated within lowpowered smart facilities; and the distinction between therapeutic robotics and prosthetics is becoming increasingly blurred. Moreover, existing mature, power-hungry actuation technologies are not able to meet these new challenges, due to fundamental design limitations. In comparison, other key enabling technologies are developing rapidly. Advances in other underpinning robotics technologies, such as improved energy storage, stronger/ lighter materials, new manufacturing technologies, smarter electronics, and increasingly sophisticated control have all contributed to our cutting-edge robotics products.

In 2015, Graham and Craig were joined by Jill Burnett and founded Wavedrives to commercialise this actuation technology - which offers lower cost, lower carbon and greater flexibility of motion control to solve today’s diverse and demanding actuation challenges. It overcomes the limitations of traditional mechanically geared actuators to deliver truly biocompatible motion and will enable new and updated actuated mechanical devices that are more commercially viable and more sustainable. Wavedrives is currently participating in the ISCF Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge and is supported by NATEP, an initiative of the UK’s Air Technology Institute and Innovate UK.

Wavedrives Ltd Elumotion Ltd jill@wavedrives.com craig@elumotion.com 10 Stable Yard Windsor Bridge Road Bath, BA2 3AY +44 (0) 1225 466633 +44 (0) 7989585251 Wavedrives

wavedrives.com

100

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MEET THE HERO ARM

Open Bionics is a Bristol-based robotics company working with global partners like Disney, Konami, Fox, and Eidos-Montréal to turn disabilities into superpowers. Founded by Samantha Payne MBE and Joel Gibbard MBE in 2014, the company has won over 30 engineering and innovation awards including two British Engineering Excellence awards and the global Robotics For Good Award. The company’s first product is the life-changing Hero Arm for below-elbow amputees. Since launching the bionic arm in 2018, the company has grown with its community to provide prosthetics for children as young as eight years old and adults who are born without hands or who lose hands to accident, injury, or illness. Most recently, the company designed and built a Hero Arm for a COVID-19 survivor who as a result of catching the virus, also suffered from viral sepsis requiring her to undergo a quadruple amputation.

101

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The robotics company continues to challenge industry status quo by using 3D printing and 3D scanning, along with clever software and design, to make advanced, affordable and accessible bionic limbs. Engineered in Bristol, the Hero Arm uses myoelectric sensors which detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in the arm. These are then amplified and converted to intuitive and proportional bionic hand movements. The company is growing rapidly due to their relentless dedication to create affordable assistive devices that increase mobility, independence, and quality of life. The company champions and empowers individuals to express themselves through their wearable medical devices. While the business is Bristol-based it has amassed a global community. The brand has achieved praise from global giants Forbes, WIRED, Dyson and has even welcomed support from renowned celebrities including Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker himself. The Hero Arm is now available through prosthetics clinics internationally including France, Spain, Netherlands, Australia and the USA which is the company’s largest market.

openbionicsltd OpenBionics

openbionics.com 102

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

UNIVERSITY OF BATH CENTRE FOR AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS (CENTAUR)

We are taking research beyond the lab to develop a new generation of smart, flexible, robust and interconnected robotic systems fit for use in the real world. We are taking an interdisciplinary approach to research in autonomous robotics. We are developing technologies and techniques that improve robotic hardware and software. And we are investigating how we can use these techniques to address social, economic and industrial challenges. By bettering our scientific understanding, we aim to achieve real-life impact in autonomous robotics. We take concepts in autonomous robotics and translate them into real platforms that operate in the field, often in harsh and unforgiving environments. We are passionate about translating ideas into reality and solving real-world challenges.

Origin Story We started off with a passion for making robots operate in challenging environments out of the lab and realising that we needed to develop new robotic platforms to achieve our goals. Early projects included small surface water sonar sensing robots operating in conjunction with divers, ground robots in agriculture applications and aerial vehicles for imaging and sensor payload delivery in unusual environments such as high-altitude clouds.

Innovation Our early projects ignited a spark of innovation that led to the development of full-custom robot platforms, the use of advanced composite materials (such as Carbon Fibre) and additive manufacturing techniques, and the integration of new software algorithms such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to adapt to both the surroundings and also for data interpretation. We work with mainly SMEs to provide expertise, research skills and experience, lab facilities and a flexible working arrangement to address interesting, exciting and challenging problems in robotics in the field. Our breadth of expertise across a huge array of disciplines in Engineering and Science provides a unique location for our partners to leverage.

103

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Why Bath? Our origin is in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, bringing together expertise in Robotic platforms, software, sensors, actuators, electronics and applications, with a wide range of facilities including a number of dedicated robotic laboratories, manufacturing and test facilities and this has expanded to encompass expertise in related centres of excellence in Computer Science, Digital technology and Health. We have a huge network of links with industry (regional, national and international) and a strong link between students and industry through our industrial placements programme, plus a number of Centres of Doctoral Training where industry funded research can focus.

What is the future? In the University of Bath Centre for Autonomous Robotics (CENTAUR) (https://www.bath.ac.uk/research-centres/centre-for-autonomous-robotics/) we have 6 key research areas that have exciting prospects including: Artificial intelligence and machine learning research – where we explore the two-way relationship between natural and artificial intelligence and modelling, constructing, evaluating and understanding complete systems. Control and decision making in autonomous robotics - investigating and innovating control of autonomous robotics. Embedding accountability, responsibility and ethics in autonomous systems – where we aspire to take a co-design approach to our research, working with and engaging society to develop better autonomous systems for the people who use them. Real-world deployment and application in autonomous systems – where we are investigating and innovating deployment of autonomous systems in the field. Robotics and autonomous platform and infrastructure engineering – in which we are developing robotic platforms and infrastructure.

University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY centaur@bath.ac.uk

Sensing and perception in autonomous robotics – where our research in the Centre for Autonomous Robotics (CENTAUR) investigates different aspects of sensors, both at individual component and whole-system levels.

104

University of Bath

bath.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

CREATING INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION FOR WIND TURBINE INSPECTIONS. Perceptual Robotics specialises in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. We use these tools to simplify infrastructure inspections and we take advanced robotic systems out of the laboratories in real and adverse conditions.

Milestones Our system has been tested and is used on hundreds of turbines by the leading owners and manufacturers of wind turbines in the UK and worldwide.

Origin The company was founded in 2016 by Dimitris Nikolaidis, Kevin DriscollLind and Kostas Karachalios out of the University of Bristol and with support of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory Incubator.

More specifically, we have shown that our system is 1/3 of the price of existing solutions and can reduce the cost of wind turbine blade maintenance by 25-40% even compared to the most competitive solutions. Our next step is to bring our technology to the offshore wind turbines, combining our system with autonomous and manned boats, to deal with challenging weather conditions.

In this creative environment we created our first product. Dhalion is a pioneering autonomous system using drones and artificial intelligence for the inspection of wind turbines.

Innovation The journey of entrepreneurship starts with real life problems and is driven by creative people looking for solutions. At Perceptual Robotics innovation is interlinked with sustainability.

The basic principle is the complete automation of the process, with the use of a tablet device the operator commands the drone to take-off, the drone records images of the entire wind turbine automatically and after landing a cloud based artificial intelligence system processes the images to detect any damages.

105

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

A sustainable economy includes some of the biggest problems we face today such as energy and food production, but it also contains a new way of understanding the production process. Looking at the whole process (from raw materials, design, production, distribution, operation, maintenance to waste management) and how these human processes affect all stakeholders (consumers, employees, shareholders and investors, to local communities and the rich biodiversity of the environment).

B A T H

A start-up needs a whole ecosystem that can support it throughout its life. This includes academic research, open source communities, business support and mentoring schemes, government sponsorships to give space to the first steps of ideas and investors to help turn a prototype into an application with real impact. Bristol has an exciting and unique combination of these factors, combined with brilliant, driven people that can support innovative product development.

Perceptual Robotics focus to date has been to support clean energy companies using the Dhalion system to reduce their OPEX costs which reduces the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE) of an energy project and provide lower cost electricity to consumers. This new viewpoint is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and creativity for new businesses like ours.

Perceptual Robotics info@perceptual-robotics.com +44 (0) 1172309745 perceptual-robotics Perceptual Robotics Perc_Robotics

Region Bristol has a history in aviation and technology with a multi-skilled workforce with transferable skills available and committed to supporting new technology, but it takes the contribution of a lot of different factors, to facilitate the success of start-up, beyond a good idea and hard work.

106

perceptual-robotics.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

DEXTEROUS. DEPENDABLE. DARING.

Bloomberg. Shadow Dexterous Hand grasping an egg, photo by Luke MacGregor

Her Majesty The Queen visits the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) stand at The International Festival for Business 2016

We’re Britain’s longest-running, and carbon-negative, robot company! We build next-generation robot hands and teleoperation systems, with everything taking place in-house from design and development to delivery. Our leading robotic technology is custom-made, and we provide gold-standard, long-term service support. We’ve worked with customers

such as NASA, ESA, Carnegie Mellon, U.Bielefeld, UCL, OpenAI, GSK and others. We’re here to serve both researchers (university professors, AI researchers, researchers at corporate innovation labs) and industry professionals (those in dangerous, difficult or distant jobs including pharma, nuclear and remote engineering jobs). We’re a highly passionate

107

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

team with a purpose to create awesome robots that make working lives better along with enabling breakthroughs within robotics research. We have an office in London (our HQ), Bristol (which we’ve newly expanded) and Madrid! Our humble beginnings date back to 1987 when we began as a hobbyist group in our Founder’s (Richard Greenhill) attic in London. Richard’s wife, Sally, would cook a big pot of spaghetti and we’d work through the night with full bellies and the enthusiasm to create cool robots! We had fun making Europe’s first walking robot (Honda created the world’s first biped called Asimo) and we soon turned our focus on one of the most complex mechanisms of nature, the hand! We based our Humanoid Hand on the dimensions of a human hand. It was made from maple wood which we got from a skip at a local kitchen furniture maker. The first thing our humanoid hand picked up was a pint of beer (smooth sided, thinJeff Bezos, Founder and then CEO of Amazon trying the Tactile Telerobot at reMARS 2019 walled glass). No other robot hand could do that for a long time after. In homage, we still celebrate our milestones with a drink or two.

THE FUTURE

I guess you could say we accidentally became a business after a company contacted us with a purchase enquiry which sparked the idea of becoming a business and being able to sell things properly. So in 1997, we formally registered as the Shadow Robot Company and over two decades later, we’ve created a string of world firsts and become pioneers in the fastevolving fields of telerobotics.

If we look at what we are globally going through right now, it’s become evident that our tech is needed within pharma labs and remote maintenance via teleoperation. We shouldn’t fall into complacency and assume COVID-19 is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, there probably will be additional phases to this pandemic, and there will be new pandemics in the future.

Our flagship product, the Shadow Dexterous Hand, is the world’s most human-like robot hand and the ONLY robot hand on the market to have 24 movements and 20 DOF for increased flexibility in grasping and manipulating a range of objects. It’s also our most-loved item by researchers across the globe.

If we look ahead, with further development, our technology could be deployed below ground level (deep sea) and high above the skies (space missions). We’re also gaining a lot more interest in the role that artificial intelligence can play in our innovation. By utilising telerobots, we can train AIs to be able to do a specific task autonomously.

We also created the world’s first haptic telerobot hand allowing you to transmit touch and complete tasks in real-time across the globe without physically being there. It protects workers in dangerous, difficult, or distant jobs with 0% risk to their safety while giving them complete operational control over the system. We’ve already started to pioneer real-world applications of this technology by selling several Tactile Telerobots, particularly in Japan. We’ve also sold the telerobot to a multinational tech company in the USA (within the top 20 if we were to go by revenue) in a new marketplace around remote maintenance.

Let’s just say the future for robotics is bright and if Bristol is looking for futuristic yet functional robots, you know where to find us!

Shadow Robot UWE Bristol - Frenchay Campus Coldharbour Ln Bristol BS16 1QY

When it comes to research projects, our most recent work is with Pfizer around telerobots in aseptic manufacturing, and we look forward to sharing some preliminary results soon.

contact@shadowrobot.com +44 (0) 20 7700 2487 shadowrobot LinkedIn: shadow-robot

shadowrobot.com 108

CHAPTER 7

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE “As the birthplace of Concorde, North Bristol is recognised worldwide for creativity, timeless design, and the collective spirit of a community that stretched the limits of what was possible.”

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

brought to you by

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

Join the next generation shaping the future at Brabazon, the most exciting new city district in the South West For over a century, the former Filton Airfield has been Bristol’s home for innovators and inventors, designers and disruptors.

Walk in the footsteps of the pioneers of Bristol’s past. Come join the new generation shaping the future of the city.

As the birthplace of Concorde, it is recognised worldwide for ingenuity, timeless design, and the collective spirit of a community that stretched the limits of what was possible.

What is the Vision for Brabazon?

Now, YTL Developments is transforming this historic local landmark into Brabazon: a pioneering new place that lives up to that legacy.

Brabazon is an urban, master-planned mixed-use development designed to live up to this former Airfield’s legacy of ambition and achievement. Just as it was once home to those who created the future of flight, Brabazon will be the South West’s centre of innovation for the next generation.

Bristol is a city that has always pushed the boundaries. Now so many new and exciting opportunities are coming over the horizon at Brabazon.

Inspired by an icon of engineering, Brabazon will be a place that changes everything. A hub for culture and creativity, industry and invention. A place for enjoyment and entertainment. A centre of learning and a launchpad for business. Brabazon is a thriving new neighbourhood that brings together all the energy and edge of Bristol to create the most exciting new city district in the South West, with the supersonic YTL Arena Complex at its heart.

Located at the centre of North Bristol’s world-leading technology and business cluster, over 20,000 high-skilled employees already work within 1.5 miles of Brabazon. The Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol & Bath Science Park, Aztec West and Bristol Business Park, and both of Bristol’s renowned universities are all within easy reach.

111

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

B A T H

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

Brabazon will build on this incredible strategic position. It will offer the space, the connectivity and the opportunity to take the local eco-system of trail-blazing businesses and talented people to the next level. Set out around a series of distinctive districts, Brabazon’s strength will be its diversity. The mix of uses and commitment to place-making is designed to drive productivity, inclusive growth and cross-sectoral innovation. Brabazon will be more desirable, with architecturally-designed homes a short walk away from innovative workplaces. It will be more creative, with cutting-edge research centres neighbouring advanced manufacturing facilities and production space.

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

Who are YTL Developments? YTL Developments are a team of adventurous placemakers, creating exceptional developments where many generations can thrive. Our Pioneering Spirit unites us to enrich people’s lives by creating tomorrow’s communities.

Brabazon will be more social, with residents, visitors and employees alike able to wander around independent stores, discover new restaurants or relax in leafy parks and open public squares. There will be iconic events, the latest amazing exhibitions and the best in live music at the YTL Arena Complex.

Alongside Brabazon, the YTL Group’s UK portfolio includes Wessex Water as well as some of the country’s most innovative luxury hotels such as The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Edinburgh’s The Glasshouse and Berkshire’s Monkey Island Estate.

It will be more connected. Brabazon will benefit from a new on-site rail station, with the train linking to Bristol Temple Meads in under 15 minutes. A new integrated Metrobus route will offer fast connections to Bristol City Centre, to Bristol Parkway Station and then on to Cardiff Central, Birmingham New Street and even London Paddington in under 75 minutes. Brabazon is also bounded to the East by the A38, the M4, M5, and M32 are all within 3 miles and the new neighbourhood will be criss-crossed by walking routes and cycle paths.

YTL Developments YTL Developments (UK) Limited Brabazon brabazonbristol YTLBrabazon

And Brabazon will be more sustainable. The considered design incorporating the latest technology - and our commitment to quality will ensure Brabazon is not just a place to live and work, but a place to enjoy the best that life has to offer both now and long into the future.

112

brought to you by YTL Developments workspace@ytldevelopments.co.uk

ytldevelopments.co.uk brabazon.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

YTL Arena Complex: Putting Bristol on the world stage

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only.

Repurposing the Brabazon Hangars to create an exciting new venue for the South West, attracting the world’s best entertainment and putting people at the heart of everything we do. The birthplace of Concorde, the Brabazon Hangars are steeped in history. Today we celebrate the past while investing in the future, transforming them into the Home of Supersonic.

Innovating and using tech, we’ll create the next generation of food and drink experiences, reducing hole-in the wall concessions and queues to buy food and drinks: at YTL Arena there will be a choice of bars and lounges where people can relax and socialise.

The 26-acre site of the three Hangars is larger than London O2’s 22 acres and will offer a 17,080 capacity arena, a flat floor exhibition space and a hub offering food, drink and leisure facilities.

Sustainability is a driving force: both environmentally and financially. YTL Arena Complex will be one of the world’s first net zero carbon venues, with solar panelling across the expansive roof, battery storage and using no fossil fuels, rainwater harvesting to reduce our water consumption by up to 70%, no single use plastics, a green staff transport policy and sourcing 75% of our products and services locally. Using digital technology we aspire to being a cashless venue, with no need for paper tickets.

We aspire to being an industry disruptor – in true Bristol style, we want to lead the way and do things differently. Visitors to the arena from afar will discover the true character of Bristol, and locals will feel at home. The Runway Bar on the ground floor will celebrate all that is great about Bristol and the South West, serving local food and drink, while local bands and entertainers perform on the community stage.

Our comprehensive traffic management plan aims to drive down car dependency and includes the provision of shuttle bus services and

113

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only. additional park and ride facilities on large event days. A new train station will connect the arena to Bristol city centre in just 15 minutes. The innovative and bespoke stage design is a hybrid of other configurations and will allow the arena to be flexible and multi-purpose. This will enable us to attract anything from a 17,080 full capacity show with the stage at one end, to a smaller more intimate theatre-style event with audiences of 4,000. In addition, the stage can be replaced with more seating to create an auditorium in the round, allowing for sporting events such as tennis and basketball. The innovative design means that Bristol will attract new events and new business, acting as a gateway to the South West. Bristol has waited a generation to have an arena. Our designs will not only put Bristol on the world stage today but will also create a legacy for future generations. Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only. ONE ARENA, THREE SPACES There are three interconnected hangars. Each offers a different experience: Festival Hall (the East Hangar): a flat floor space for exhibitions, conventions, trade shows and other events. YTL Arena (the Centre Hangar): with a capacity of 17,080, the multi-purpose auditorium will host everything from full capacity live music shows, sporting events, family entertainment and comedy shows. The Hub (the West Hangar): a place to eat, work and play. With a visitor attraction, leisure, workspace, and food and drink.

114

YTL Arena Complex info@ytlarenabristol.co.uk YTLArenaBristol YTL_Arena

ytlarenabristol.co.uk

BRIGHT GREEN FUTURES PUTS PEOPLE AND PLANET AT THE CORE OF HOUSING. Bright Green Futures is the South West’s premier multi-award winning sustainable community property developer. We give people the opportunity to design and build homes as part of a sustainable housing community where they can truly thrive and live in harmony with the planet.

and our new net-zero carbon community scheme, Water Lilies which is the first of its kind. Our work has earned us the following awards: Green Initiative Award, Best Eco-Aware Housing Services UK, Best Sustainable Housing Development Company and Energy Efficient Champion. We build communities that provide a springboard for residents to live meaningful and happy lives, allowing them to flourish and contribute to society. Along the way we also hope our developments inspire a new generation of architects, building contractors, community builders and developers. To achieve these goals, we innovate with housing on the following fronts:

Bright Green Futures was founded by Steffie Broer, who was inspired by her grandfather and father, whose business pioneered technical solutions to address climate change. Steffie, rather than step into the family business, forged her own path to creating her own vision for a sustainable future. She lived in communities and led several eco-construction projects around the world, worked as a sustainable energy advisor for several years, and completed a Doctorate in Engineering for UCL’s Centre for Urban Sustainability. Steffie then launched Bright Green Futures off the back of her award-winning publication on how to achieve low carbon livelihoods in self-build housing communities and her experience of building and living in one at The Yard, Bristol.

Bespoke Homes Most new build homes in the UK are one-size-fits-all and aren’t up to speed with the changing needs of people’s lives. We want to create beautifully designed homes that suit the needs of people now and in the future, recognising that lifestyles and family groups change over time. We provide this opportunity by offering self-finish and custom build homes. Each route enables people to design bespoke homes, with more flexibility through selffinish. For those self-finishing, we build their fully serviced, super energy

Bright Green Futures has since grown into a team of six dedicated individuals who share the same vision and values. We are proud to have developed The Courtyard – Bristol’s first purpose-built co-housing project,

115

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

efficient shell, and they manage the fit-out with our support. Whereas, for custom builders, we build their home to their specifications. There are always challenges on building sites and so much detail to understand. We work on the big things, but more importantly, we focus on the detail. And we do that hand in hand with our customers, helping them through the process so they can navigate any challenges confidently.

Building Resilient Communities Our schemes are designed with co-housing principles: homes are often arranged around a shared garden and community hub, which can be used for co-working, classes, film nights, and events for the wider community, and car parking is kept to the periphery or underground, making the living environment safe and healthy for all. We listen to our communities, understand their needs, and work with a co-production ethos to create community developments that work for residents long term. We bring future residents to the core of decision making by facilitating a series of workshops during the course of the build and by establishing an estate management company for residents to manage their community after completion. The workshops support them in areas such as managing their projects, choosing sustainable materials, and making decisions about the design and functionality of their community hub and shared garden.

by rooftop solar panels or the National Grid in a Tesla battery, to be shared across the site when needed. And we don’t just focus on the tech. We also design and advise on ways to live sustainably including reducing the need to travel, using cleaner modes of transport, managing waste and recycling effectively, and creating a culture of sharing.

Quality and a Positive Environmental Impact

Looking Ahead

We design with Passivhaus Principles and the energy hierarchy in mind. We build our homes to last for 200 years, and we work very closely with the contractors on site to achieve this. We are continuing to innovate and break ground too as shown in us developing the UK’s first net-zero carbon residential microgrid at our latest development, Water Lilies. The beauty of this localised grid is it enables residents to store excess electricity generated

We’re actively looking for new sites, and open to development partnerships, to build new communities. This is an exciting process, as each site brings its unique opportunities. We look forward hearing from landowners, agents or advisors who wish to work with us to embark on new projects. We are excited to find more partnerships that allow us to engage with local communities and co-housing groups so we can create places that benefit new and existing residents. We are also looking forward to transforming many more lives of individual people, families, friends and neighbours. Anyone who is interested in living at one of our developments today or in future, or any groups which value community, sustainability and an element of bespoke housing, working and living, however you may wish to be involved, please do contact us.

Bright Green Futures Ltd. 125, Lower Cheltenham Place Bristol BS6 5LB info@brightgreenfutures.co.uk 0117 955 6718

116

Bright Green Futures Ltd brightgreenfutures Bright Green Futures

brightgreenfutures.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

LIVELY MINDS MAKING A LIVEABLE WORLD

Grant Associates is a pioneering international landscape architecture practice.

We work across a broad spectrum of project types — from small-scale interventions, to mega-sized planning studies in urban and rural environments all over the world.

Our work reconnects people with nature in insightful, delightful and distinctive ways whilst addressing the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate emergency and biodiversity extinction.

We are perhaps best known for designing Gardens by the Bay – a 54 hectare visitor attraction in Singapore with its iconic Supertrees, designed to reconnect people with the wonders of the natural world. This multiaward winning project combines contemporary design with pioneering environmental technologies to create what Sir David Attenborough hailed as ‘perhaps the most spectacular example of city greening in the world’ in the hit BBC TV series Planet Earth 2.

Our Story Founded in 1997, we explore the emerging frontiers of landscape architecture within sustainable development. Our design process is underpinned by a knowledge of human behaviour, nature and ecological science combined with innovative technologies, original thinking and creative collaboration.

Our Vision In this era of climate emergency and biodiversity loss, our role as landscape architects has never been more important.

117

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

2008 – Accordia housing scheme in Cambridge wins RIBA Stirling Award 2012 – Gardens by the Bay wins top award at World Architecture Festival 2013 – Grant Associates co-founds Forest of Imagination – annual pop-up arts festival in Bath 2015 – Completion of 15 year regeneration of public spaces at Bristol Harbourside 2016 – Gardens By the Bay lauded by Sir David Attenborough in BBC’s Planet Earth 2 2017 – Grant Associates teams up with Bristol Zoo to help save blue-eyed lemurs in Madagascar 2018 – Andrew Grant appointed Chair of Bathscape to help redefine Bath as a landscape city 2020 – Driving force behind UK Landscape Architects Declare – an industry movement to address climate breakdown and biodiversity loss

Looking ahead, we believe there are enormous opportunities for us to redefine the increasingly high density urbanised world by always thinking about how to assert the systems of nature alongside the senses of nature using our unique imagination. In our future design projects, we will seek to balance the science of landscape with a greater emphasis on emotional responses of beauty, delight and wonder. Of course, we must still consider the full spectrum of landscape design, from sustainable water systems to habitat protection, energy efficiency, well-being, food, biodiversity, play, education and pragmatic functionality. But we know people will only value our landscapes if they feel a personal response to the experience of using them. And we know this will always be greater if we can deliver some connection to our emotional sense of nature and sense of wildness.

Grant Associates +44 (0)1225 332664 info@grant-associates.uk.com grant-associates GrantAssocs

Key Milestones

1997 – Grant Associates founded 1999 – First major ecological visitor centre completed: Earth Centre in Doncaster 2006 – Appointed to design 50 hectare Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

grant-associates.uk.com 118

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WE ARE 27,000 PEOPLE ACTIVE IN OVER 70 COUNTRIES DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE. improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. Arcadis has a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to the Association for Wasteland Redevelopment in the Netherlands in 1888, whilst Hyder Consulting, which Arcadis acquired in 2014, can trace its history back to 1739. From our strong heritage, we have grown organically and through acquisition. Since our inception as a land reclamation specialist in the Netherlands in the 1800’s - quite literally creating new places everything we do is about improving quality of life.

20 years in Bristol We’re proud to be Bristol City Council’s strategic partner to aid the delivery of new infrastructure, homes and regeneration across the city. As residents of the city over the past 20 years, this is an exciting opportunity to provide Bristol City Council with additional capacity, capability and global expertise to meet ambitions for the city. We are confident that this long-term partnership will not only inject pace into delivering the ambitions of the One City Plan but will also catalyse the city’s economic recovery post-Covid. Together with Arup and Mott MacDonald, we will provide world class people, processes, and knowledge to supplement existing teams, supporting Bristol City Council in becoming a more efficient organisation as the partnership evolves.

The Arcadis Way At Arcadis, our mission is to improve everyday quality of life by creating spaces where people want to live, work and play, improving mobility and making the best use of our natural resources.

Innovation

We are a leading global Design & Consultancy organization for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets. We are 27,000 people, active in over 70 countries that generate €3.3 billion in revenue. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to

Our people work on projects that really transform the way citizens work, live and move in the cities of the future. Digital innovation plays an important role in this space. We are engaged in various initiatives to help strengthen our digital transformation. We are continuously expanding our digital and data expertise, for example, through the acquisition of the software and analytics firm SEAMS. We are also activating digital

119

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

leadership throughout the company: we have established a knowledge partnership with Vlerick Business School. This includes a three-day Digital Leadership Program, tailored to accelerate the digital transformation within our business and industry. And these are just some of the initiatives that are part of Arcadis’ city-centric vision and strategy of continued digital innovation and growth.

Why is place important? The current approach to placemaking is not meeting the challenge. How do we create places that we can be proud of and which make a difference to people’s lives? How do we unlock funding and implement governance to sustain places where people thrive? We need to look beyond the purely functional. The most successful places and communities are those that inspire. They provide safe spaces with room to grow. They connect us physically, economically, socially - to our wider environment. Effective planning and delivery, from providing homes and jobs, to creating interconnected communities and supporting social cohesion, involves long term planning that understands and integrates multiple strands of activity. It calls for a new way of thinking, designing and creating a place, where benefits are maximised across the public and private sectors. Instead of focusing purely on development, profit and land value, we need to start layering in social value and the impact on people’s lives. This is about an approach where the benefits of effective placemaking can be realised by all. It means engaging with people at every stage of the process to understand what will make a place succeed and then managing and measuring to make sure that it happens. Creating happy, healthy, integrated and thriving new communities depends on collaboration.

120

Richard Bonner, UK Commercial & Operations Director

Arcadis UK richard.bonner@arcadis.com +44 (0) 1173 136141 Arcadis UK & Ireland ArcadisUK

arcadis.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

An innovative approach to creating a strategy for a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient city by 2030

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists working across every aspect of today’s built environment. Our office in Bristol city centre was founded more than 40 years ago, and today is home to more than 350 staff, working on local, national and international projects.

Strategy. Arup worked with the council to produce a strategy for a carbon neutral and climate-resilient city by 2030.

Our people have made a major contribution to shaping the city and the West of England region – conceiving, planning and engineering many of South West England’s most important new policies and strategic plans, infrastructure projects, and new and renewed buildings. Together we help our clients solve their most complex challenges. Our innovative thinking helps turn exciting ideas into tangible reality.

Delivered in just three months from strategy inception to launch, the Bristol One City Climate Strategy outlines the work that needs to happen at a local, regional, national and international level – including changes to legislation, infrastructure and finance – to achieve these ambitious targets of Bristol becoming carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030. The strategy creates a framework for how to reach this challenging aim, one which requires a radical rethink of how people in the city live, work and invest, and that would act as a call for action to the city’s people and businesses.

In Bristol, we have the opportunity to work with clients who have ambitions at the forefront of change. After the city became the first in the UK to declare a climate emergency, Bristol City Council offered to project manage and financially support the work to develop a One City Climate

The Bristol One City Climate Strategy is one of the first of its kind to include scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions – tackling not only emissions created within the city, but also the wider consumption-based carbon footprints of residents and businesses.

121

stol by 2030

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The strategy sets out five key principles – that outcomes would be fair, transformative, evidence-based, collaborative, and able to evolve in line with emerging technologies, changing community behaviours and new scientific findings. With a clear position on the need for transformative action, the strategy sets the framework for stakeholders across the city, and beyond, to take action, building on Bristol’s successes and challenges to date. The approach of developing a strategy that considers climate resilience, as well as net zero carbon, is important in terms of alignment with the global Paris Agreement. Arup prepared a preliminary climate resilience assessment for the city using existing data and information on climate vulnerability and climate hazards. Our team examined projected changes in these vulnerabilities and hazards based on the best climate science, the sensitivity of local systems to hazards, and the ability of systems, organisations or people to adjust to events, respond to consequences or take advantage of opportunities.

and civil society. Despite the rapid strategy delivery, the development process incorporated engagement with businesses, organisations, charities, and people from across the city in a series of one-to-one discussions, workshops and public events involving over 300 stakeholders. Since its launch by the Environment Board in February 2020, the strategy has already instigated change in the city. A range of organisations, including local authorities, universities, dioceses, the local Chamber of Commerce and several utilities companies have formally endorsed the strategy. Anchor institutions in the city that have declared climate emergencies will now use it as a basis for their delivery plans and it has been integrated into the city’s covid economic recovery plans.

1. Transport

10. Infrastructure interdependencies

2. Buildings

3. Heat decarbonisation

9. Food

What’s next?

CO2

8. Natural environment

The strategy sets the framework for climate action for people and organisations in the city and beyond. Innovation and collaboration will continue to be at the heart of how the city delivers on the strategy. This will require new business models, technologies, approaches and investment in areas such as upgrading homes and buildings, installing heat pumps at scale, protecting the city from flood risk and improving transport infrastructure.

4. Electricity

7. Public services

5. Consumption & waste

HOSPITAL

6. Business & the economy

At Arup, we’re excited to continue to be part of this journey, collaborating with public, private and third sector partners in the city to find solutions across the built environment.

Engagement was key to ensure that the strategy reflected the vision and ambitions of the collective Bristol community, and collaboration will be critical to support its delivery. The development of both the strategy and evidence base was steered by a range of stakeholders from the city’s Environment Board, as well as advice and challenge from the Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC). The BACCC includes climate change experts and stakeholders from academic, public, private, 27

ArupUK arup arupgroup ArupGroup

122

Arup Bristol@arup.com +44 (0) 117 976 5432

arup.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FUTURE OF PLACE DO COMPANY // NOOK

Do Company is a fully distributed remote-working organisation, created by David O’Coimin in Bristol in 2016, with the purpose of accelerating new ways of working, while empowering more sustainable, inclusive and mindful work and learning environments. Do Co utilises product creation ( Nook pods ), thoughtleadership, workshops, events, retreats and editorial to drive these goals. Based between Bristol & Amsterdam, David O’Coimin is a product and experience designer, digital nomad, social-minded founder with a passion for people, places and planet who is driven by a sense of urgency to seize and drive the change-moments to push us on.

Nook is the Bristol-made, multiaward-winning family of pods, shelters and booths, designed with introverts and people on the spectrum in mind and built for the hybridworkspaces of tomorrow. Nook wellness pods are used globally in corporate offices, innovation hubs, coworking spaces, education settings, healthcare applications and hospitality environments.

Hybrid Workspace, Chicago

Science Park, Bristol

Street Market, London

Event, Berlin

123

Nook’s powerful wellness characteristics are built on the foundations of a mindful space which manages noise, creates a feeling of intimacy and enables personal lighting control. Easily retro-fit to an existing environment, designed for sustainability, modularity and technology integration, Nook is a long-term asset for an organisation, especially in times where space dexterity and shifting workplace demographics are front and centre.

I N N O V A T E

Many places are overwhelming for people with special needs, resulting in sensory overload, anxiety, crisis and meltdown.

The sensory elements individually can have profound effects on the symptoms of Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and Dementia.

Sensory Nook is an encapsulating environment to positively influence mood, reducing challenging behaviour & anxiety.

Certified as an autism resource, Sensory Nook is a revolutionary way to make a school, workplace or event more inclusive.

Coworking, Copenhagen

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Responding to the sensory overload of business events, Nook Event Pods combine wellness characteristics with branding opportunities, waste-reduction saving and space efficiency. Positioned across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Nook event pods help the Exhibition & Conference world deliver more sustainable, healthy experiences.

Do Co uses it’s event hire services to give people opportunities to gain new experiences, partnering with organisations to match individuals with relevant events. Local coworking partnerships provide a place to work during the day while on site. The long term aim is to create an ecosystem of people, partnerships and events to open doors to new opportunity and inclusivity.

Sensory Nook, Workspace, London

Do Company www.doco.do Nook www.nookpod.com hello@nookpod.com +44 (0) 333 577 6665 Healthcare, Amsterdam

David O’Coimin david@nookpod.com

Education, Edinburgh

124

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

AT THE BRISTOL HOUSING FESTIVAL, WE’RE ASKING YOU TO RE-IMAGINE BETTER WAYS TO LIVE IN OUR CITIES.

Hope Rise is an innovative mixed community of young people in a development of 11 ZED PODS constructed above a public car park in St George, Bristol. The community came about through a vision for building affordable, quality and energy-efficient accommodation for young people in the city. The core project team was Bristol City Council, ZED PODS, YMCA and Bristol Housing Festival. The project went from concept to completion in two years.

SNUG Homes is dedicated to building high quality homes which are good for people and for the planet. Using a volumetric offsite construction method and prioritising sustainable material choices, local supply chains and energy-saving technology, end users benefit from highly efficient, high performance dwellings. From involving future residents in the design and build process to training and employing local people, SNUG seeks to provide more affordable routes to high quality housing which bring social value to the local community. The first SNUG home was completed in Bristol in March 2021. Photo by Tony Gilbert.

HOW THE HOUSING FESTIVAL BEGAN

We face a national crisis in housing, a climate crisis and a construction skills shortage in the industry, but we see in this a powerful opportunity to do things differently. The Bristol Housing Festival is a five-year project hosting an ongoing conversation in various forms to incubate and pilot new ideas with the goal of finding scalable solutions. We pilot innovative build projects across the city in partnership with Bristol City Council and others, and host events, roundtable discussions and exhibitions that celebrate the latest innovation in off-site manufacturing and modern methods of construction. We know that genuine change happens through collaboration, so we bring together industry leaders, work with local governments and engage the public to bring healthy and resilient communities to the forefront of the conversation on housing.

Living in Bristol, founder Jez Sweetland was struck by the challenge of housing in the city, particularly the prevalence of homelessness. He began by simply asking the question ‘what can I do to help?’ and immersing himself in the issues surrounding housing in the city, including the opportunity of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Jez recognised that what was needed was a vision for housing that would draw together residents, the construction industry and local authorities to pilot and test solutions and create a story in Bristol that engenders hope in housing. The progress of the Bristol Housing Festival has only been possible through healthy partnerships, in particular the leadership of Bristol City Council, led by Mayor Rees, and the West of England Combined Authority. This continues to be a key to enabling innovation in housing within the city.

125

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Legal & General Modular Homes will deliver over 180 new modular homes in Lockleaze on Bonnington Walk. The Council - in partnership with the Housing Festival - seek to use the land to pioneer Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as an innovative solution to help address the shortage of housing in Bristol. Through the build, the area will gain a new local community hub, see improvements to road, cycling and walking routes, and receive new allotment patches and accessible green open space introduced to complement the existing community orchard. Photo by AHMM - Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

WHY A ‘FESTIVAL?’

and including Bristol City Council, Bristol Housing Festival, BRE, and 9 leading modular housing companies to bid for an Innovate UK grant for our project, ‘Enabling Housing Innovation for Inclusive Growth’, which we won in April 2020. This is an 18-month programme working with multiple partners towards the delivery of a major Research, Development and Innovation (R,D&I) in the use of MMC.

Historically festivals have been spaces of significant social change. One challenge in housing is a breakdown of trust between local authorities, the construction industry, and residents. A festival is a space where all three stakeholders can enter into a positive conversation. Our role is therefore of innovation enabler – a catalyst for shared vision and the testing and deployment of new ideas. We’re a ‘think and do’ tank that provides a collective city opportunity to pilot and test new ideas and celebrate some of the incredible housing stories emerging in Bristol. We believe that momentum and focus will help bring a shift in our housing that will produce greater quality, greater sustainability, and tackle some of the affordability issues in our city.

The project aims to improve the speed, cost and social value of nearly 430 homes to be built in the city over the next few years. Working in Bristol and connecting with the scale of opportunity across the West of England our ambition is to continue to help change the narrative on housing and to support the region in becoming a regional centre of excellence for MMC to demonstrate how those new housing systems can support the region to build quality, sustainable and affordable homes at pace.

THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IN BRISTOL

*Funded by the Local Government Association conducted with Bristol City Council and the Bristol Housing Festival.

Bristol has a long history of innovation and pioneering – it is a city that has the courage to lead. One of the goals of the Bristol One City Plan is that everybody has access to affordable housing in a safe, thriving community by 2050. We support this vision by helping to unlock barriers to innovation and enabling housing solutions that can be scaled and replicated.

Bristol Housing Festival hello@bristolhousingfestival.org.uk bristol_HF Bristol Housing Festival bristolhousingfestival

Following a piece of research to understand what resources might help make the widescale adoption of MMC and offsite housing solutions more feasible,* in 2019 we supported a consortium of partners led by YTKO

bristolhousingfestival.org.uk 126

CHAPTER 8

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE “Connectivity is fundamental to the world’s economic growth, but achieving ubiquitous and reliable connectivity is an enormous challenge that requires a new approach on how we build and operate communications networks in an efficient and sustainable way.” — VASSILIS SEFERIDIS, ZEETTA NETWORKS

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

‘ENABLE SMARTER NETWORKS FOR ALL’ WE ARE LEADING THE OPEN NETWORKING REVOLUTION TO CHANGE NETWORKS FOREVER! Our vision Connectivity is fundamental to the world’s economic growth. Achieving ubiquitous and reliable connectivity is an enormous challenge that requires a new approach on how we build and operate networks in an efficient and sustainable way. In Zeetta we believe that open networking offers the opportunity to break the industry’s status quo to: Enable Smarter Networks for All. By “smarter networks” we mean networks which are cost efficient, sustainable and flexible and where resources can be re-programmed on-demand. These networks are virtualised and controlled by software tools, such as those developed by Zeetta, to enable them to reach levels of function and utilisation never before possible. Most importantly, these networks must be open so they can easily integrate new technologies, third-party services and applications, to deliver a better experience to everyone. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive open environment where creativity, innovation and invention can flourish.

What we do Our customers operate medium and large-scale heterogeneous private networks that provide connectivity services to thousands of devices and users.

Who we are Zeetta Networks spun out of the world-renowned High-Performance Networks Group of University of Bristol to commercialise the group’s leading Network Virtualisation & Network Slicing technology.

We offer high-quality software automation tools that enable them to control, operate and monitor their networks in a simple, flexible, customisable and cost-effective way so they can optimise the utilization of their network infrastructure and deliver a better experience to their customers.

Zeetta provides software automation tools that simplify network operations for Enterprises and Service Providers so they can build and operate their networks easily without escalating CAPEX and OPEX. Our software products are based on open standards which have been enhanced with patent-protected extensions for virtualisation, automation and network slicing and splicing.

Our software transforms their traditionally static network into a programmable platform that allows better monitoring of devices, users and applications across the network, eliminates manual network processes and provides advanced security and cost savings, whilst also enabling the development of new revenue-generating applications.

Zeetta Networks is recognised across the industry for its innovative technology and has been awarded several awards and accolades including the prestigious “Cool Vendor” title from Gartner in 2019.

129

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our products and services Our software products simplify and automate network operations for a better monitoring, control and management of enterprise networks. We support our customer’s modernisation journey with a suite of three products: Visualise: Monitor multi-vendor, multi-technology and multi-site enterprise network in real-time Optimise: Run effective NetOps and optimise network configurations and connectivity across vendors and technologies

Optimise allows a simple -yet powerful- way to provision end-to-end services across the private cellular network within minutes and without in-depth knowledge of the underlying mobile architecture.

Automate: Enable true network automation and programmability to make the network more reliable and efficient

Automate allows groups of services to be activated, modified and deactivated quickly and easily as required by the enterprise.

Our products are built around a state-of-the-art, network virtualisation software controller called NetOS®. With integrated network slicing and splicing capabilities, NetOS® is able to create the global map (aggregate topology) of all sub-networks in a heterogeneous network - including mixed LAN, WLAN and private LTE/5G networks - and allow the creation of connectivity services easily, regardless of their complexity.

The 5G-ENCODE project Our team has a long experience with large scale deployments. Our most recent deployment is 5G-ENCODE, a £9 million collaborative project that delivers a private 5G private network in the National Composites Centre (NCC). The key objective of the 5G-ENCODE project is to demonstrate the value of 5G on industrial use cases within the composites manufacturing industry.

Orchestrating private 5G networks A private 5G network uses the same LTE or 5G technology used by the public mobile operators but scaled down to provide a wireless network within the premises of an enterprise. For all intents and purposes, a private 5G network looks and feels just like any conventional wireless network (e.g. Wi-Fi) but uses mobile technology and spectrum to offer superior security and better control of connectivity.

The project is partially funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as part of their 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme and represents one of the UK Government’s biggest investments in 5G for manufacturing to date. Other consortia partners include Telefonica, Siemens, Toshiba, Solvay, Plataine, Mativision, and the University of Bristol. Find out more at the project’s website: www.5g-encode.com

Zeetta’s products simplify the deployment, monitoring and management of private 5G Networks as they enable a single-pane-of-glass control and management of any mix of network devices operating in licensed and unlicensed spectrum.

Zeetta Networks +44 (0) 117 903 1100 info@zeetta.com

Visualise provides an up-to-date view of the whole network across LAN, Wi-Fi and LTE/5G devices.

130

zeettanetworks zeetta-networks-limited

zeetta.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

ENABLING CONNECTIVITY FOR DIGITAL ENGINEERING

What is 5G-ENCODE? The 5G-ENCODE Project, is a £9 million collaborative project aiming to develop clear business cases and value propositions for 5G applications in the manufacturing industry. The project is partially funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of the UK Government as part of their 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme. The project is one of the UK Government’s biggest investments in 5G for manufacturing to date.

Project focus Led by Zeetta Networks the project was officially launched in early 2020 and it will run until March 2022. The key objective of the project is to design and deliver a private 5G private network within the National Composites Centre (NCC) and explore new business models and 5G technologies, including network slicing and splicing, within an industrial environment. The project will play a key role in ensuring that the UK industry makes the most of the 5G technology and ultimately remains a global leader in the development of complex composites structures using robust digital engineering capabilities.

Partners The project consortium brings together a Tier 1 operator (Telefonica), leading industrial players (e.g. Siemens, Toshiba, Solvey), disruptive technology SMEs covering all aspects of network design, deployment and applications (Zeetta Networks, Mativision, Plataine), a world-leading 5G network research group (High Performance Networks Group in the University of Bristol) and the NCC representing the high value manufacturing industry. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) provides additional support through their DETI Programme.

131

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Addressing industry requirements The 5G-ENCODE project addresses the expressed requirements of the manufacturing industry, in regards to 5G networks, listed below: Lack of demonstrable cost-efficiency and return on investment Concerns around compatibility and interoperability of 5G mobile networks with existing industrial systems Need for security - control over the security of connectivity and data, as well as the connectivity itself, to assess the quality of service, especially to external stakeholders without expertise in their sector Current lack of understanding of how 5G differs from other connectivity solutions e.g. Wi-Fi Current cultural barriers to working in digital and IT tech sectors

Why a private 5G network at the NCC?

NCC represents a wide range of manufacturing verticals so it addresses the concerns of industry in a generic and universal way. Establishing a 5G testbed in NCC will allow various industry players to engage and pilot their own specific applications on a real, operational 5G network with minimal cost and risk to the members’ own production facilities.

The testbed will enable NCC to foster and lead a 5G ecosystem and manufacturing R&D in the South-West of England and build new 5G business cases for composites manufacturing. The project would be a catalyst to SMEs who would be able to work alongside NCC to accelerate their product development road-map and enter new markets.

5G Use cases on the factory floor The project will showcase how 5G features such as neutral hosting and network slicing and splicing can be applied to transform a private 5G network into a dynamically reconfigurable network able to support a wide range (i.e. URLL/eMBB/MMTC) of industrial applications including: Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to support design, production and training of remote teams Monitoring and tracking of time sensitive assets within the factory and while assets are in-transit Wireless real-time and automated industrial control through IoT monitoring and big data analytics

The 5G-ENCODE project will lead to further investment by the local government, WECA, who are keen to improve competitiveness and productivity of manufacturing companies based in the region.

KEY PROJECT INFORMATION Project Budget: £9 million Supported: Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and West of England Combined Authority Funding Programme: 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme Lead Partner: Zeetta Networks Project Partners/Participants: National Composites Centre, Mativision, Plataine, Siemens, Solvay, Telefonica, Toshiba and University of Bristol Start date: February 2020 Duration: 26 months

Such a dynamic network would enable new business models and creation of bespoke virtual networks tailored to specific applications or use cases.

What will 5G-ENCODE deliver? The state-of-the-art testbed will be deployed across three sites centred around the National Composites Centre (NCC) in the South West of England. Supporting WECA’s (West of England Combined Authority) industrial strategy, the NCC plans to keep the testbed operational as an open access facility for experimentation and development of new products and services for the composites industry after the completion of the 5G-ENCODE project.

5G-ENCODE Project +44 (0) 117 973 1100 info@5g-encode.com encode5g 5g-encode

The location and nature of NCC’s business would ensure the creation of an industrial 5G ecosystem involving multiple industry sectors and SMEs.

5g-encode.com 132

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WE PROVIDE TAILORED HIGH INTEGRITY SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY INDUSTRY

In 2021 Capgemini and Altran join forces in Engineering and R&D to create the global digital transformation leader for industrial and tech companies; Capgemini Engineering.

OUR SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE : • Keeps air passengers safe and helps reduce CO2 emissions through efficient routing • Ensure the safety of critical national defence infrastructure • Ensures trains are routed efficiently yet safely

In today’s world, change is a constant factor. Extracting the positive potential of change is what Capgemini Engineering is all about. Innovation is our guiding principle – an inspiration that brings Capgemini Engineering to life and gives meaning to everything we do. We foster innovation, engineer new and differentiated “smart” products, optimise operations, create new customer experiences and deliver new sources of value.

Our world is High Integrity, Safety Critical, Secure, Business Critical. Our key customers include: • Aerospace: Airbus, Rolls-Royce, NATS • Automotive: Toyota, Ford, Jaguar Land-Rover, TRW Automotive, Renault • Defence: BAE SYSTEMS, Thales, Rolls-Royce, MBDA, MoD • Energy: BP, Siemens, GE Electric, Shell • Rail: Alstom, TfL, Network Rail, Bombardier, Siemens • Telecoms: Telefonica, Gamma, BT, Vodafone

Capgemini Engineering’s High Integrity Expertise Centre, based in Bath and with over 35 years’ experience, specialises in the design and construction of high-integrity systems and software, including those with the most demanding safety, security and business requirements.

133

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We are the sum of our people. We believe in investing in people, and the rest follows.

The software I wrote is reducing aircraft emissions”

PEOPLE Highly Motivated Highly Trained Experienced

— Anthony, Software Engineer

“Thanks to my work, aircraft engine health is now monitored in flight” — Gemma, Software Engineer

“Our work ensures the highest standard of safety in software that monitors the separation of aircraft in the sky” — Neil, Safety Engineer

APPROACH Lean, Agile & CbyC Formal Methods Refine With Academia

PROJECTS Safety Critical Security Critical Business Critical

“My Java prototype proved we can tackle train delays” — Matt, Software Engineer

Capgemini Engineering is a Corporate Partner of the IET, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, playing an active role in the heart of the UK’s engineering sector and providing our UK-based engineers and technical staff with the best professional development support available. CAPGEMINI ENGINEERING info.uk@altran.com capgemini-engineering CapgeminiEng capgeminiengineering

134

capgemini-engineering.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESSOR POWERING OUR AI FUTURE Graphcore was founded to solve a problem in computing that, had it not been addressed, threatened to hamper the progress of artificial intelligence. In the mid-2010s the science of AI was progressing rapidly. The mathematical models that help machines to learn and subsequently apply their knowledge were growing in size and complexity. However, as AI advanced, it was increasingly testing the limitations of the computer hardware that it was running on. CPU processors, like those found in laptop and desktop PCs, were designed for an entirely different kind of computation, and performed poorly at AI. GPU chips, originally built for processing graphics, fared better because of their parallel nature, but lacked a number of important capabilities. As the artificial intelligence community wrestled with how to maintain its momentum using legacy hardware, two Bristol-based entrepreneurs saw an opportunity. Nigel Toon and Simon Knowles were already well known for building several highly successful semiconductor businesses, including Bristol’s Icera, which was sold to nVidia in 2011 for $436m. The pair realised that AI or ‘machine intelligence’ was at a crucial moment. Their own extensive research and conversations with leading innovators made clear that there was a desperate need for a new type of microprocessor, specifically designed to address AI’s unusual computational requirements. Not only was it an opportunity to create the company that would define a new era in computing, but also to initiate a virtuous cycle, where that new processor would speed up the rate of innovation in fields such as healthcare, finance, physics, climate science and more. And so, in 2016, Graphcore was born. There was never any question about where the company would be based. Both Nigel and Simon knew from personal experience that you could run a global technology company from Bristol, just as well as Palo Alto or the high-tech hubs of Asia.

As Graphcore set about developing its first Intelligence Processing Unit (IPU), investors from around the world made their way to Bristol, eager to back the fledgling company, so great was the opportunity. Even renowned Silicon Valley kingmakers Sequoia Capital made the trip to the West Country, resulting in a rare (at the time) European Investment from the venture capital firm that provided early funding for LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Instagram.

In fact, the rich history of semiconductor companies in Bristol – many of which Nigel and Simon had been a part – meant that there was already a wealth of specialist talent in the city and surrounding area.

135

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

In mid-2020, Graphcore announced its second-generation IPU, the Colossus GC200, and its new IPU-M2000 system for datacentres. Powered by four MK2 IPUs, each M2000 is capable of one PetaFlop of AI compute. But power and competitive pricing are just part of Graphcore’s offering. Customers around the world are choosing IPU-based systems because they are designed not just for today’s toughest machine intelligence workloads, but for the even more demanding tasks of tomorrow.

Sequoia joined a roster of prestigious international investors, including Atomico, Draper Esprit, BMW, Dell, Microsoft and Samsung. Details of Graphcore’s first IPU, the Colossus GC2 were revealed in 2017. With 1,216 parallel processing cores, it was the world’s most complex microprocessor.

This didn’t happen by accident. Building a future-proof architecture was part of Simon and Nigel’s initial plan. The AI developments they anticipated when founding Graphcore have come to pass – vindicating the design choices that underpin the IPU.

As the product moved into production, benchmark tests demonstrated to the AI community that it was capable of delivering the promised results, consistently outperforming high-end GPU processors.

Today, when leading-edge AI laboratories and fast-moving commercial enterprises are thinking about their next steps into the future of intelligent machines, they’re turning to technology developed in Bristol, by Graphcore. Graphcore info@graphcore.ai Graphcore graphcoreai

A major step towards making the IPU widely available came in 2019 when Microsoft announced that it would make Graphcore’s IPU technology available on its Azure cloud computing platform. Soon after, another major funding round brought the company’s valuation close to $2bn, marking Graphcore out as one of the UK’s fastest growing and most valuable tech companies.

graphcore.ai 136

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BT MAKING BRISTOL ONE OF ITS KEY LOCATIONS IN THE UK Bristol has been named as one of BT Group’s new key locations in the UK. The development represents a multi-million pound investment by BT in the Bristol area, with the company due to increase its presence significantly in the city in the coming years. As part of this, BT will move into its new state of the art office in the centre of Bristol in early 2022, acting as a hub for more than 2,000 colleagues in the city and wider region. The Assembly Bristol building – part of the growing Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone – will bring our people together in an impressive and modern environment in the heart of the city. BT’s increased presence in the city will make the company one of the largest employers in the area. BT Group already plays an important role in the South West’s economy, directly employing more than 7,000 people in the wider region. Bristol is also one of the most digitally connected cities in the UK. In 2019, it was one of the first cities in the UK to be connected to 5G. Launched through EE, the UK’s largest mobile operator and part of BT Group, it means that people working and living in Bristol are among the first in the country to benefit from the new technology, which is set to revolutionise the way we live and work. Bristol also has access to some of the best broadband in Europe, having been prioritised as one of Openreach’s ‘Fibre First’ cities. With Bristol being a centre for world-leading university research, BT plans also to build on its existing partnerships with the city’s higher education institutions specialising in technology and digital innovation. BT is one of the largest investors in research and development in the UK, spending around £500 million a year. BT and the University of Bristol recently signed a partnership which will see joint work on research and development projects and programmes to drive responsible innovation, in a diverse range of areas such as future networks, digital, creative, quantum, cybersecurity, and robotics.

We’re pleased to be able to make this long-term commitment to Bristol during an incredibly difficult time for our economy due to the pandemic.

Artists impression of Assembly Bristol waterfront

137

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BT +44 (0) 20-7356-5000 bt BTGroup

bt.com

Paul Coles, BT Group’s English regions director

138

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Making sense of the builtworld via digital location and mapping technologies. Living Map is a UK based, digital location and mapping business providing a range of solutions to address the challenges faced in the use, trusted navigation and efficient management of complex spaces.

range of outcomes. Locations of people or things can be determined both indoor and out, using a combination of available indicators. Maps can be used as real-time geospatial-based communication channels by integrating with a wide variety of data sources. Route guidance can be curated based upon user needs and intentions. Built on the company’s unique, hardwareagnostic ‘blue dot’ location software, rich mapping and wayfinding design heritage, these technologies are used by cities, enterprise clients, and institutions globally to activate responsive physical spaces.

Living Map was founded in 2010 as the research and development arm of the urban design consultancy Applied Wayfinding. The following five years were spent developing and refining prototype digital map applications based upon the ways that people instinctively interact with complex physical spaces. Following the initial launch of a highly detailed and customisable digital mapping platform in 2016, Living Map began a process of continuous development, iteration and launch of new products and capabilities.

These turnkey and modular software solutions sit within the user experience of client-owned and managed touch points, be they digital kiosk and public screens, web, or native mobile applications. They can be implemented individually or collectively to address key use cases, either as a standalone product or part of a wider solution. Living Map’s products have now been deployed by a range of public and private

The technologies Living Map has developed serve as key building-blocks for smart and responsive city initiatives; enabling and curating a wide

139

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

sector organisations including Star Alliance, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Canary Wharf, The Royal Academy of Art, the City of Edmonton and many others. Led by a senior team with rich experience in urban design and smart city technologies, Living Map’s unique blend of geospatial experts, engineers and designers combined with an unrivalled understanding of how people interact with their environment, results in a unique approach to digital solutions that provide valuable insight, data and business benefits for the owners and stakeholders of public and private spaces, while simultaneously transforming user experiences for the benefit of the individuals inhabiting and visiting these spaces.

140

B A T H

enquiries@livingmap.com +44 (0) 1225 945087 livingmap

livingmap.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

HOMELINK SPECIALISES IN SOCIAL HOUSING IOT INTEGRATION AND ANALYTICS

Sam Shiles, CTO

HomeLINK’s mission is to advance housing technology to help social landlords solve some of society’s most pressing challenges including climate change, fuel poverty, ageing populations, fire safety, and poor indoor air quality.

HomeLINK specialises in Social Housing IoT integration and analytics. Having worked closely with dozens of landlords, we have refined our platform, insights, and recommendations carefully over the years to ensure customer value is maintained as our platform scales. We have established partnerships with key sensor providers to ensure we can provide landlords with a web of valuable data that is relevant to the challenges they have.

There are 5m social homes in the UK which represents 20% of the entire housing stock. Social housing landlords often each manage upwards of 10,000 homes but need to keep rents as low as possible and meet ever more stringent regulation while trying to improve services to protect tenant safety and wellbeing. They have now found themselves at an inflection point where they need to innovate. Their strategic objectives also often address wider societal challenges; from reducing their carbon footprint, to improving the health of the residents and reducing fuel poverty to help ease the burden on the NHS.

On a recent trial with Wolverhampton Homes, we deployed temperature, humidity and CO2 sensors, connected smoke alarms, and smart meters across 6 volunteer homes. We integrated the data into their property management system and provided the residents with a mobile phone app so they could see insights and take action on their data. By empowering residents with their home’s data and sending important alerts directly to the landlord, we were able to identify fire alarm tampering, improve indoor air quality by 19%, reduce mould risk by 30% and reduce electricity consumption by 9%. The overall platform demonstrated a significant return on investment for the landlord.

141

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

HomeLINK Product Overview

Our Story

“It has already been an extremely intense journey; from concept in 2018 to strategic acquisition by the biggest brand in our sector. Since the acquisition we have continued to take huge strides forward and it still feels like the first chapter of something big”

HomeLINK formed in 2017 with a broad ambition of creating a technology company with deep social values and a social mission. A well balanced founding team was put together and since then, HomeLINK has rapidly grown from strength to strength. In our first year we developed an MVP, secured 3 pilot landlords, and raised two seed rounds.

– Sam Shiles, Chief Technology Officer, HomeLINK

In 2019 we secured several additional pilots, a number of 6 figure contracts to scale up existing pilots and won dozens of awards. The team grew from 5 to 14 and we set out to raise a £2m investment round to help fuel the unexpected and exciting growth we were experiencing. Our existing IoT device suppliers showed a lot of interest in taking part in this investment round and we set out to negotiate a closer strategic partnership.

Looking to the future Via Aico, HomeLINK has already received almost one hundred additional requests for pilots from landlords who manage millions of social homes. With a seemingly unlimited budget and market appetite for growth we are entering an extremely exciting phase.

In the Summer of 2020 we closed an acquisition by our industry’s leading brand and a company that shares very similar values to us; Aico. Together, Aico and HomeLINK are set to become the leading provider of IoT technology to social housing landlords.

Our objectives from day one were to have as big a positive impact on society as possible. We have already proven we can make an impact by reducing carbon emissions, fuel poverty, improving fire safety, and improving the health and wellbeing of social tenants and we are looking forward to exponentially scaling this impact in the coming 5 years. HomeLINK Future Space - UWE North Gate, Filton Road, Bristol, BS34 8RB +44 (0) 27226240

142

info@homelink.co HomeLINK AicoHomeLINK

homelink.co

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Powering the interface of the future

Car manufacturer PSA replaced touchscreens with our haptic technology in their DS Aero Sport Lounge car, meaning that you can change a music track or adjust climate control with a wave of your hand – and without taking your eyes off the road. No controllers. No wearables. No touchscreens. We’re replacing them with something better. Our technology tracks the position of your hand in mid-air, and projects tactile sensations onto it using focused ultrasound. You can reach out and interact naturally in virtual reality. Use self-serve kiosks without touching them. Control car infotainment with a wave of your hand.

Both our technologies are world-leading innovations in their own right – we’ve got over 150 patents for haptics and over 200 for tracking. We’re also a catalyst for other innovators. One of the fundamental limits of technology is how humans can interact with it – how easily, how naturally, how safely. We’re breaking down those limits by allowing people to interact directly with the digital world, using only their hands. This in turn is powering innovation in automotive design, gaming, enterprise applications such as CAD, digital marketing and self-serve kiosks.

Ultraleap is a classic university spin-off success story. We were founded based on haptic technology invented at the University of Bristol – technology that controls ultrasound to create the sensation of touch in mid-air. Today, we have two core technologies. We’ve added world-leading hand tracking to our original haptic technology. This accurately tracks the position of your hand movements in mid-air.

Headset and chip manufacturers such as Varjo and Qualcomm are embedding our technology in VR and AR headsets, making interaction in games and other applications more accessible and intuitive. Car manufacturers such as the French firm PSA have replaced touchscreens with our technology. You can change a music track or adjust climate control with a wave of your hand – and without taking your eyes off the road.

These two technologies mean you can interact without touching or holding any device. You can “push” in mid-air to activate a virtual or on-screen button – and feel that button as you do so.

143

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Leader in enterprise VR/XR software and hardware Varjo™ integrated Ultraleap’s hand tracking into two generations of their headsets (the VR-2 Pro followed by the XR-3 and VR-3). We also power touchless interaction with the screens in our daily lives – train station ticket machines, airport check-in, supermarket self-checkouts, digital advertising. Concerns about hygiene and touchscreens aren’t new – but the coronavirus pandemic has sharpened everyone’s sense of the risks of touching surfaces that thousands of people have touched before. In 2020, we pivoted from touchless interfaces being a small part of our business to a major pillar. We worked with Skoda and LEGO on interactive advertising, and launched major pilots with retailers and manufacturers. It’s also not just about hygiene. Once agencies and brands start developing with our technology, they realise that not being limited to the interactions afforded by 2D screens allows them to innovate in user experience. Bristol’s dynamic combination of world-class academic research, a solid engineering base, a vibrant creative sector and an attractive lifestyle has powered our growth. Today, we’ve got over 150 highly skilled, multidisciplinary staff, a second office in Silicon Valley – and we’re still growing rapidly. We’re able to attract a diverse mix of world-class researchers in acoustics and computer vision, highly skilled software and hardware engineers, and designers, artists and developers. This diverse team are creating technology that will change the way everyone, everywhere interacts with machines – and powering the next wave of human potential.

144

A LEGO digital out-of-home experience powered by our technology. LEGO fans and families were able to move, rotate and build virtual LEGO bricks on an Ocean Outdoor screen using intuitive hand gestures, and feel the bricks in mid-air. Ultraleap The West Wing, Glass Wharf, Bristol, England, BS2 0EL

+44 (0) 117 325 9002 info@ultraleap.com Ultraleap

ultraleap.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

LuJam provides real-time cyber security, risk and compliance solutions for small networks. We eliminate commodity cyber threats, continuously monitoring against Cyber Essentials technical controls. LuJam protects small businesses by monitoring all IT assets and ensuring compliance with technical cyber security standards. Currently, our “Cake” is a B2B2B SaaS service offering, delivered in tasty “Slices”. LuJam “Discovery” provides transparency to the customer and Managed Service Provider (MSP) on their journey to better cyber hygiene. LuJam “Protect” provides alerting and reporting through gamification, LuJam “Investigate” is our vulnerability scanning service and LuJam “Safeguard” our compliance module. Fully implemented, our solution eliminates the majority of today’s commodity cyber threats.

LuJam has previously secured more than £700k in funding including a £250k grant from Innovate UK. Having now monitored more than 800 networks, the company started revenue generating in January 2020 through 8 MSPs. By targeting office managers, one of our early MSP partners quickly brought on board 12 customers. Other IT support companies have deployed LuJam to provide transparency in new customer negotiations and subsequent rapid onboarding and service delivery. LuJam is also used by many in preparation for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certifications.

LuJam was founded by Tim Moran, an ex-Submariner with 30 years’ experience in Networks and Cyber Security. Before LuJam, his work in Enterprise Sales for Cisco, Juniper and VeriSign and three UK Security start-ups led him to realise that small businesses, the other 50% of the global economy, were poorly served with affordable cyber security solutions.

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. LuJam brings innovative approaches to securing small businesses by developing technology that is both applicable to and appropriate for this sector of the economy. Our technology specifically addresses commodity cyber threats targeted at the small business community. Although we are an innovator in our own right, by securing small businesses Intellectual Property, we enable the protection and continuous innovation of the SMEs that use our technology.

145

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Located in Bristol, LuJam has significantly benefited from its proximity to GCHQ and NCSC headquarters in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Whilst a member of the NCSC’s Cyber Accelerator programme, LuJam resided in-house and this opportunity enabled us to develop a better product-market fit, aligning with GCHQ’s mission of making the UK the safest place to live and conduct business online. In addition, LuJam’s founder runs the Bristol and Bath Cyber cluster community, which provides networking opportunities in the Southwest - an innovation hub within the cyber industry. LuJam, alongside our Managed Service Provider partners and their SME customer base, has been significantly impacted by COVID. However, we are now excited about the resurgence of interest in cyber protection within the sector as the UK emerges from lockdown. As such, LuJam is now raising a seed round to accelerate our planned aggressive return to market and to capitalise on the similarities between Coronavirus and commodity cyber threats. This next round of investment will provide a 12-month runway and be used to expand the leadership team, build out our sales channel, establish a world class support offering, and continue to adapt our innovate suite of services to meet market needs.

The Engine Shed Temple Meads Bristol, BS1 6QH +44 (0) 3333 447171 info@lujam.com lujamcyber LujamCyber lujamcyber lujamsec

lujam.com

146

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Bristol & Bath Cyber is passionate about bringing people together from different backgrounds into cyber. Diversity is key to enabling our industry to flourish.

Bristol and Bath Cyber is a community of cyber entrepreneurs, employers, practitioners, educators, investors and collaborators (and those with a general interest!), who engage on a regular basis to share expertise and wisdom, to encourage innovation and best practice, and to act as a cyber focal point for the region. Cyber is a growth sector requiring a constant pipeline of talent. With a membership base of nearly 600, we jointly champion activities aimed at addressing the Cyber skills shortage and increasing diversity within the Cyber Sector in the Bristol and Bath Region.

Bristol and Bath Cyber’s mission statement is to serve as a platform for innovation and collaboration, with the goal of developing the Cyber ecosystem and driving economic growth within the region. We provide opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, sharing of best practice, and identification of opportunities for regional growth. We work across both public and private sectors and also academia, but with a specific focus on our innovative SME community. The leadership team is drawn from local Entrepreneurs Tim Moran, Elaine Brown, Simon Minton, with support from TechSPARK. Tim founded a local

147

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Cyber Security company and holds the role of Chairman. An ex Cold War Submariner, he now has 30 years’ experience in IT Networking, Cyber Security and Cyber Intelligence. He focuses on developing the regional eco-system. Elaine heads up the Unlock Cyber project, an employer-led initiative to help raise awareness and understanding of the opportunities that exist within cyber. The group works collaboratively with schools across the region to signpost and develop opportunities for young people in order to create a diverse future workforce with the right skills needed to succeed. Simon is keen to help the cyber industry become more diverse and inclusive. He’s excited about the emerging UK cyber start-up scene and is involved with multiple tech start-ups in Bristol and beyond. In addition, TechSPARK is the Southwest’s network for tech start-ups and scale ups, working with 25,000 people a month to help them recruit, network and raise capital in the UK’s most productive Tech cluster.

The UK Government has recognised the importance of developing regional clusters. Working with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and the Western Gateway, we are looking forward to further building and supporting our diverse cyber community and establishing Bristol and Bath Cyber as a recognisable global brand. This will promote inward investment to further expand our sector, cementing the region’s position as one of the most important cyber hubs around the globe.

We act as an innovation enabler by promoting the sharing of best practices and cyber knowledge within the region, ultimately leading to economic growth within the cyber sector. Bristol and Bath is the perfect location for innovation and collaboration due to its current and historical regional focus on technology. Combining this with the ease of networking within the region ensures Bristol and Bath has one of the largest economic technology sectors in the UK.

We are very excited about further engaging schools and universities within the region, with the aim of expanding interest in cyber careers with young people. This will help develop future cyber talent, close the future skills gap and grow our regional GDP. We also hope to host our next cyber conference in Bristol post-COVID, following the success of our previous event in 2019.

Bristol & Bath Cyber significantly benefits from and leverages relationships with the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England (UWE), the University of Bath, and Bath Spa University, encouraging more cyber related studies, spin-outs and careers within the cyber industry. Cyber businesses within the region clearly benefit from access to more talent and skills which will present greater opportunity for growth and yet further employment opportunities.

The Engine Shed Temple Meads Bristol, BS1 6QH +44 (0) 3333 447171 info@bristolandbathcyber.com

148

brisbathcyber BristolandBathCyber

bristolandbathcyber.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Driving business performance in an Anywhere Working world!

2020 & The Great Remote Working Experiment WE DESIGN AND DELIVER BEST-IN-CLASS UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS & COLLABORATION SOLUTIONS THAT HELP BUSINESSES IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE PROFITS.

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced businesses to conduct a remote working ‘proof of concept’ that lasted for more than a year. Our priority was to provide support to our customers throughout that period as they rushed to deploy the tools which would keep communications flowing and the business running. As a result, widely available tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom saw considerable increases in their user base. We’ve been at the cutting-edge providing resources to support the roll-out of these solutions.

With over 20 years of knowledge and expertise in the telecoms market and strategic relationships with over 30 market-leading business communications vendors, we’ve been busy helping firms adopt flexible working practices via technologies such as enterprise-grade video conferencing and cloud telecoms.

Our Future In 2021 and beyond, our focus is to help businesses regain control of technology by consolidating, simplifying, and ‘finessing’ the tools in use. We’ll continue to provide insight and support for businesses as they build robust digital transformation strategies that acknowledge the changing

We are proud to work with many customers in the Bristol and Bath region and also every other time zone on the planet!

149

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A Word From The Boss

“We focus on our clients’ business, not technology. There are thousands of available technology products in a very crowded marketplace. By taking the time to understand our clients’ business, we cut through the noise, focus on value and build partnerships for the long-term by sharing the risk.”

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been a proof-of-concept for hybrid working”. — Martin Buckland, CEO, Datasharp Integrated Communications

— Martin Buckland, CEO.

Customer Testimonials

role of the workplace, the introduction of hybrid working practices and the critical importance of adoption rates as a measure of success.

“We’ve been working with Datasharp for nearly 20 years and in all of that time the service has been fantastic. Implementation and ongoing support are both really good. I have no hesitation recommending them.”

We expect businesses to embrace ‘hybrid working’ practices with a proportion of staff continuing to work remotely but coming to the office for social interaction or when a face-to-face meeting is required. Consequently, many businesses will look at the long-term viability of their workspaces and continue to invest in cloud-based solutions like Microsoft Teams, with dedicated Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTRs) to enhance physical meeting spaces.

— Global Support Services Director, Ingenta

“Datasharp have freed our staff from their desks by equipping them with the technology to execute simple tasks while out and about.” — IT Manager, Thatcher’s Cider

As always, we’ll be there every step of the way to help them navigate the crowded communications marketplace, cut through the noise and design creative and innovative solutions.

“Excellent advice, installation and support from start to finish. Datasharp is the best by a very wide margin.”

Why Bristol?

— Head of IT, Sustain

Bristol has built on its recognition as the UK’s leading smart city in 2017 and gained further recognition as a centre of excellence for LegalTech (LegalTech Report 2021) and FinTech (Kalifa Review of UK FinTech 2021).

Datasharp Integrated Communications +44 (0) 800 032 8274 hello@datasharp-ic.co.uk datasharp-integrated-communications datasharpic Datasharp Brand Video

The West of England is a cluster of forward-thinking tech companies driving creativity, innovation and change and attracting yet more investment into the region. We are proud to work with a growing customer base in Bristol & Bath and look forward to more growth in our area as we move forward.

datasharp-ic.co.uk 150

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRISTOL ONE CITY AND INNOVATION emergence of Covid-19, has had a profound impact on our city and all of our lives. But as we recover and rebuild from this crisis we continue to welcome partners who share our values and can help us build Bristol as a city of hope.

Bristol is known as a thriving and dynamic city. An award winning place to live, work and study with a young, diverse and growing population. Bristol is internationally recognised for innovative and high value industries such as advanced engineering and the low carbon sector. We have a strong professional and financial service sector and we are home to successful digital and creative industries.

Connecting Bristol Connecting Bristol is driven by the needs of people who live and work in Bristol, and how technology can play a part in creating a more equal future. The Connecting Bristol strategy supports the One City Plan, which outlines the vision for the city up to 2050.

However, like all places, we have our challenges. Severe shortages of quality, affordable homes combined with decades of under investment in our transport network have left communities isolated from economic opportunity. 15% of our residents live in some of the most deprived areas in England. Environmental emergencies mean that solving these competing issues must be done in a way which minimises our impact on nature and is sustainable. These systemic challenges cannot be changed overnight. But working together and collaboratively as One City to set out shared priorities and goals we can identify areas of focus for investment and innovation. The

151

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

areas of Bristol, aiming to ensure wellbeing of citizens while reducing Bristol’s CO2 emissions and engaging citizens to help them make more considered decisions on their energy use and travel patterns. The research project will also contribute towards Bristol’s ambition to be carbon neutral and run entirely on clean energy by 2030.

Welcome Aboard – Open Data Programme The Open Data Programme works closely with other Bristol City Council departments to enable data to be shared and built-on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. The programme has focused on maintaining the Open Data Bristol Platform which freely provides over 250 open data sets on a range of themes such as population, education, leisure and tourism, and transport. Through the programme’s Our Data initiative, over 12 separate stakeholder events have been undertaken to promote awareness and utilisation of the platform. One output being the Period Friendly Bristol web app, which supports the Mayor’s 2019 One City priority of addressing period poverty. Another high profile hackathon, sponsored by Innovate UK, looked at data solutions to support Bristol and Bath around homelessness and housing.

Open Programmable City Region

PROJECTS IN FOCUS

To support some of the ambitions of the connected city projects, it’s vital the right infrastructure is in place. Building on existing Bristol is Open infrastructure we have implemented a scalable, reliable, secure Smart City Cloud platform and a hyper fast network connecting the city centre to south Bristol. The network offers Wi-Fi, LTE and LoRaWAN connectivity giving us city wide ‘capture’ capability for thousands of IoT (Internet of Things) devices gathering data about the City. The platform is capable of processing large data and hosts a central dashboard for monitoring parameters of the city.

CDEI/BCC – Data Ethics & Governance Project Bristol City Council has been working in partnership with the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) to develop an ethical data governance framework. Supporting the ambitions of its One City Plan, the Council is seeking to harness the power of data to make the city a more fair and inclusive place. The approach is being used to inform data governance for Insight Bristol. Insight Bristol is an Interagency analytics hub to support the Council’s Troubled Families Programme. Insight Bristol aims to deliver better outcomes for children at risk through a range of tools and analysis that is then integrated with operational practice by council teams.

Smart Speakers Project The City Innovation Team are working with a multi-disciplinary team including local universities, technology companies, Amazon and a care provider to pilot the potential of voice assistants to alleviate loneliness, improve well-being and better understand their potential for supporting people to live independently. The pilot will consider how people respond to having a voice assistant in their homes, and provide insight to the Better Lives Programme and Adult Social Care teams within the City Council.

Established by the UK government in 2018 the CDEI has a unique remit: to help the UK navigate the ethical challenges presented by AI and datadriven technology.

REPLICATE (Renaissance of Places with Innovative Citizenship And Technologies)

During the pandemic, the team have adapted the planned approach to rapidly deploy 30 test units out via a care partner provider. Early insights point to benefits relating to connecting with family and friends and improving digital skills. The project will be expanded when COVID restrictions permit to a wider cohort for a longer duration.

This is a five year European research and development project, which receives funding from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. The project is trialling integrated energy, mobility and ICT solutions across three cities – San Sebastian in Spain, Florence in Italy and Bristol in Great Britain.

Bristol City Council +44 (0) 117 922 2000 city.innovation@bristol.gov.uk BristolCouncil connectbristol BristolOneCity

In Bristol, the REPLICATE research project is led by Bristol City Council and is supported by the city’s universities and eight local partners who have expertise in smart energy, smart mobility, intelligent data, digital infrastructure and digital inclusion. They are co-creating solutions in three

152

connectingbristol.org bristolonecity.com bristol.gov.uk

CHAPTER 9

ENERGY

“Renewables are rapidly becoming the cheapest form of energy and with the arrival of battery technology, it is always readily available - there really is no excuse for using fossil fuels anymore” — STEPHEN BARRET, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Photo of We The Curious Science Centre

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

POWERING THE UK TOWARDS A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.

Solarsense supply homes and businesses with clean energy solutions that deliver financial savings, carbon reductions and energy independence.

By reducing their own carbon footprint and developing pioneering ways of increasing the uptake of renewables, Solarsense is demonstrating how homeowners and businesses can reduce their environmental impact and is actively supporting the UK towards a greener future.

During the last decade alone, Solarsense and their customers have helped to mitigate more than 3 million tons of CO2 emissions by generating, storing and using their own clean energy.

Helios House plays a part in the overall aim to transform the Solarsense head office into a regional centre of excellence for renewable energy. The state-of-the-art building was designed to generate more energy than it consumes and boasts an extensive array of fully integrated photovoltaic panels, solar PV roof lights, LED lighting, air source heat pump & electric vehicle charge points.

Solarsense specialise in the design, supply, installation and integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage solutions, solar thermal systems, heat pumps, solar carports and EV charge points. Since being founded in 1995, Solarsense has completed more than 14,000 clean energy installations and is responsible for powering some of the UK’s leading organisations. From the Duchy of Cornwall, The RSPB and Bristol City Council to Triodos Bank, Lush Cosmetics and Tate Modern, Solarsense has earned a reputation for trusted advice, cutting-edge projects and excellent customer service.

By practising what they preach, Solarsense has invested in a showcase building that utilises the latest technology available for all homes and offices. The building provides an engaging environment for members of the public, businesses, architects and energy consultants to see how easy it is to incorporate renewable energy.

155

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The team at Solarsense feel it’s only right that organisations do what they can to share their knowledge. Each year they invest their time and expertise in direct support of selected charitable projects throughout the UK and overseas. Their latest overseas project saw a team from Solarsense visit one of Bristol Zoological Society’s wildlife conservation projects on the island of Madagascar. The team helped to set up a refurbished solar PV system to power a research and conservation station, helping to protect three types of endangered lemur species.

Solarsense strives to deliver cutting-edge projects and has achieved a number of firsts. A clean energy system installed at Pilton Methodist Church was one of the first projects to integrate solar roof slates, conventional on-roof solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall battery. The system was designed to successfully meet strict requirements for aesthetics, whilst delivering as much on-site energy generation as possible - storing any excess energy to use for late-night services when sunlight is low.

Solarsense is proud to help their local community and are involved in a number of charitable projects in the UK. Their latest venture was in partnership with the Brightwell Centre, home of the West of England MS Therapy Charity. The charity focuses on helping people with a range of neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. A specialist team from Solarsense installed a refurbished 30kWp solar panel system. The solar panels, which were removed from an office building (due for refurbishment), will generate 30,000kWh of clean electricity per annum, saving the charity around £4000 per year. As well as saving the charity vital funds, the clean energy system will offset 7,328kg of carbon emissions per year; significantly improving the organisations’ carbon footprint.

As we look into the future, Solarsense endeavours to stay ahead of the curve, combining the latest technologies to deliver award-winning clean energy projects, helping both the economy and the environment collectively. Working with schools, local authorities, SME’s and blue-chip companies they aim to power the UK towards a clean energy future, one installation at a time.

With the future of energy moving rapidly towards electricity, Solarsense is continuously innovating and looking at ways to improve both the energy infrastructure and sustainability. The UK remains a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, and the government has set a target of halving non-electric vehicle sales by 2030 and ending them by 2040. Whilst the journey to electric vehicles is essential, one of the current barriers to transition is the lack of EV charge point infrastructure. Solar carports offer both a clear solution to this infrastructure need and the means to generate the (clean) energy required to power it.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College - Brunel Centre

If your business is considering switching to clean energy, Solarsense will provide you with a free, no obligation desktop survey to identify your break-even point, overall financial profitability and carbon savings for the long-term.

Solarsense has increased their service offering to include solar carports and is researching and developing their own carport structure to offer their commercial clients a cost-effective solution for generating clean energy on-site and charging their electric fleets with ‘free’ energy generated by the sun.

156

I N N O V A T E

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College - Brunel Centre Project details Main Contractor: Willmott Dixon Architect: Hewitt Studios Renewable Energy Contractor: Solarsense Electrical Contractor: CMB Engineering Brise Soleil Manufacturer: Taunton Fabrications System Size: 11.07kWp Estimated annual yield: 7,550kWh Annual CO2 savings: 2,091kg Located in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) is a new school, formed by the merger of Filton and Stroud Colleges in February 2012. The newly constructed Brunel building on the college’s Wise Campus in north Bristol, will be the home to sixth form Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering courses. The three-storey Brunel Centre at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College puts sustainability at its heart, with a number of key features prominent in its design. The building is naturally ventilated throughout, uses air source heat pumps, and a solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrated into the building’s brise soleil – just one of the examples of putting renewables at the forefront of design for students to see every day. The building also features a live monitoring panel in the foyer where students can see exactly how much energy, water and other services the building is using. The project also saw the replacement of 400sqm of car park and tarmac replaced with wildflower meadows aimed at encouraging biodiversity on site. The solar brise soleil also features a number of LED lights, making an artistic feature at night. The project was funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The project required a large amount of coordination between different companies involved in the development. Solarsense worked closely with the main contractor Willmott Dixon, architect Hewitt Studios and electrical contractor CMB Engineering to provide a solar brise soleil system in order to generate clean energy on-site and reduce the sites’ carbon footprint. Solarsense also worked closely with brise soleil manufacturer Taunton Fabrications, regarded as one of the leading UK manufacturers of architectural and secondary metalwork to the construction and house building sectors. The solar panels were delivered to the Taunton Fabrication workshop to be fixed to the frames off-site and then delivered to SGS College Brunel Centre in Filton to be craned and fixed to the exterior of the building. 27 x JA Solar 410W panels were fitted vertically to a brise soleil, consisting of 9 banks of 3 panels and connected to an 8kW SolarEdge inverter with solar PV optimisers and a fire fighter gateway to enable remote, panel-level shut down in the event of fire on-site. The smart enabled SolarEdge inverter also communicates with the BMS (Building Management System) to provide system status reporting and feed into the live monitoring panel in the foyer of the building. The design engineers at Solarsense opted for high efficiency 410W PV modules to maximise on-site energy generation. SolarEdge optimisers were fitted on each solar panel to enhance the performance of each individual module and minimise the impact of shading issues. SolarEdge technology also meant that each panel could be monitored individually, providing full visibility of the system’s technical and financial performance. The optimisers also allow the DC power generated by the panels to be remotely shut off, so that in the case of a fire there is no live DC power in the building, resulting in a safe environment for fire fighters to enter the building.

157

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

solarsense-uk.com

Solarsense UK Limited Helios House, Brockley Lane, Backwell, Bristol BS48 4AH +44 (0) 333 772 1800 info@solarsense-uk.com

158

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

PIONEERING COMMUNITY MICROGRIDS

Clean Energy Prospector (CEPRO) began in 2009 with a simple idea, to match suitable renewable energy sites with investors seeking to put their money to work doing good.

The company now helps community energy investors apply a “third party ownership” business model to develop private smart grids incorporating large solar arrays, battery storage and renewable heating. Property owners get a low cost, low carbon, professionally maintained energy supply and investors can deploy capital into local infrastructure, increasing the resilience of local communities as well as providing a healthy financial return.

The founders realised that opportunities to make a good return from solar panels, renewable heating, demand response and battery storage abounded - but seldom were property owners also the people best placed to raise the capital to invest in these opportunities.

159

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Clean Energy Prospector (CEPRO) designs, builds and operates smart microgrids, comprising solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage and digital control systems, for new build housing developments as well as retrofit scenarios. CEPRO smart meter technology secures revenue streams from energy consumers via local and independent community Energy Services Companies (ESCos), removing the risk and the cost of the low carbon technologies from the balance sheet of the property owner while protecting the community investments. In the case of new build housing this means that zero carbon homes can be sold without pushing up the sticker price, explains Damon Rand, head of product at CEPRO: ‘Developers typically want to sell houses without retaining a long term interest in the site, which means the only way they can deploy low carbon technologies is to pass those costs on to house buyers – something they are normally reluctant to do. Our approach is to assemble a supply chain around a specific project and bring finance to it, so that developers are able to do more and become more low carbon without raising the cost of homes.’ CEPRO’s microgrid solution is being piloted on two newbuild housing developments: the Water Lilies project in Bristol, delivered by developer Bright Green Futures, and Hazelmead in Bridport by developers Bridport Cohousing and Bournemouth Churches Housing Association. The first occupancies are expected in early 2022. Although low carbon technologies required to deliver zero carbon homes are now widely available, the relatively high capital costs mean they typically pay back over long periods, of up to 20 years, which has held back investment. Out of around 130,000 homes built in the UK each year, only a fraction have solar PV installed, let alone more advanced systems like energy storage or heat pumps.

Clean Energy Prospector Suite 21a, Easton Business Centre Felix Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0HE, United Kingdom +44 (0) 117 230 0048

CEPRO’s model encourages external investment by low carbon infrastructure suppliers, who as part of an energy service company earn ‘trading revenues’ selling power to the national wholesale market and the UK balancing mechanism. Local customers typically save 10-15% below market rate on their energy bills.

cepro.co.uk 160

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A TRUSTED VOICE TO TACKLE GLOBAL TRANSFORMATIONS We are the independent expert in risk management and a provider of future-fit assurance services, that are digital, automated and data driven. Our services are demonstrably market leading and value adding and solve real problems. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decarbonization decisions can be made with confidence. DNV has a significant role to play in the ongoing energy transition. We do this by assuring that future energy systems work safely and effectively with (increasingly digital) solutions that focus on managing risks and opportunities.

DNV: Our story DNV’s roots stretch back to 1864, when Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was founded as a membership organisation in Oslo, Norway, to provide reliable and uniform classification and taxation of Norwegian ships. Three years later in Hamburg, Germany, a group of 600 ship owners, shipbuilders and insurers gathered to form Germanischer Lloyd (GL), a new non-profit association to evaluate the quality of ships and deliver the results to stakeholders.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we take an active role in addressing the complex challenges facing our customers in the power and renewables, oil and gas, maritime and management systems industries.

161

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Over the years, DNV and GL diversified into other markets where alliances and mergers, and acquisitions became a strong strategic driver for both companies. In 2009, GL acquired the world’s largest wind energy consultancy, UK based Garrad Hassan. This Bristol based consultancy was established in 1984 in response to a growing need for independent advice on wind energy.

B A T H

Bristol continues to be an important location for DNV with over 150 power systems experts based in the city, ready to help some of the world’s leading companies to navigate the energy transition. DNV’s expert teams in Bristol have contributed to world leading projects, including supporting Ørsted as lenders’ technical advisor to the 1.2 GW Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm and acting as lead partner in National Grid’s Offshore Coordination Project, directly contributing to the UK’s £46 billion low carbon and renewable energy economy.

The DNV GL Group became operational on 12 September 2013 after the merger of DNV and GL. In 2017, the Foundation Det Norske Veritas assumed full ownership of DNV GL and in 2021 the company changed its name to DNV.

Accelerating the energy transition DNV is excited to continue to progress the rapid energy transition between now and 2050. In fact, this transition represents the greatest source of risk, and opportunity, in our business environment. According to DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook, by mid-century we expect to see an energy mix split roughly equally between fossil and non-fossil sources, taking into account expected developments in policies, technologies and associated costs.

The simpler name will be an even stronger trust mark for customers in the future, backed by the strength of 157-year-old legacy with a purpose to safeguard life, property, and the environment. Today DNV has 12,000 employees, working across 100 countries.

Enabling innovation Through our advisory work, we help our customers to find new solutions to the challenges they face. We invest substantially in research, development and innovation (RDI) to provide a trusted voice and value to our customers and society at large. Our development and innovation activities are focused on enhancing services and evolving digital solutions, as well as providing scientific legitimacy, thought leadership and forecasts on the world’s major transformations.

There is massive, ongoing electrification of the global energy system and electricity will more than double its share of the energy mix to over 40% by 2050. Tough business and policy choices lie ahead, but also plentiful opportunities for those who master the wave of the energy transition. The UK has announced £160 million investment in wind power in a bid to fuel every home in the country with renewable energy within 10 years. This ambitious target will see the UK strive to become a ‘world leader in clean power’ with output rising from 30 to 40 gigawatts. Achieving this will depend on the expertise of the UK’s renewable energy experts and DNV’s Bristol based colleagues will play a significant role in making this green future a reality.

Regional importance Bristol is seen as a leading city in the UK for low carbon initiatives, as recognized by its title ‘Green Capital of Europe for 2015’. Investment in the region continues to build on this legacy. Over the last 30 years, Garrad Hassan and now DNV has forged strong links with Bristol including key institutions such as the University, where DNV’s world leading wind turbine experts help to prepare the next generation of renewable energy engineers through visiting professorships and graduate schemes.

dnv

dnv.com 162

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Green Power to Human, Blue Sky to Nature

terrain conditions. With our 20 years of design experience, we can provide customized production for challenging climate conditions such as typhoon, low wind speed, low temperature, high altitude and offshore, etc.

Windey is one of the earliest wind turbine manufacturers in China and a pioneer and innovator in the Chinese wind energy industry. With the mission of “Green power to human, blue sky to nature”, Windey is becoming a leader in the Chinese wind power industry, building a national wind power brand, and providing customers with high-quality products and technical services. With global ambition, Windey European Wind Power Research Center was created at the heart of Bristol city in 2019. Windey is looking forward to building partnerships with local universities and research institutes to develop these technologies which will benefit the renewable energy industry and reduce the cost of wind power generation.

In 2019, Windey listed its Initial Public Offering of class A shares on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The capital raised from the stock market helped Windey to strengthen its research and development and become a wind turbine owner and operator. Windey is extending its business from wind turbine manufacturing to wind farm operation and maintenance.

Our Story Windey has been manufacturing and operating wind turbines for more than 20 years and has over 6000 turbines operating worldwide. Our turbine products range from 1.5 MW to 5 MW for various wind and 163

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Bristol is one of the top technology hubs in the UK. Windey European wind power research center was founded here in 2019 to attract talent to develop state-of-the-art wind turbine technologies through innovation. We have expertise in software and the wind energy industry, so we are trying to bring technology from the software industry to make our wind turbines better, safer and smarter. We are working on some exciting projects to reduce the cost of energy and make green energy affordable to everyone.

High performance computing Modern turbines are getting bigger and smarter, so higher fidelity simulation models are required. This will increase the computation requirements significantly. To address this demand, we have built infrastructure for a distributed computing network to run hundreds of simulations in parallel to speed up the design iterations. The infrastructure is flexible and can be deployed on both private or public cloud infrastructure.

Digital Twin At our research center, we use aeroelasticity simulations together with big data and AI to build a “digital twin” of a wind turbine which lives in the cloud. The digital twin platform gives us insight into our physical wind turbines and allows us to monitor and optimize their performance. Turbine fault data can be used to train machine learning models and the digital twin platform will be used to predict turbine faults in advance to reduce down time and boost energy production.

Advanced real-time analysis and fault detection The potential data output from a wind turbine requires high-bandwidth comms and hardware to digest and analyze. By allowing each turbine to perform some of the heavyweight analysis itself, there is scope to reduce the required bandwidth and off-board processing requirements and server roundtrips, allowing the turbine controller to make direct use of its high frequency data, e.g. by implementing on-board digital signals.

Wind farm control In a wind farm, upstream wind turbines extract energy from the wind flow so as to have a blocking effect on downstream turbines. Because of this blocking effect, turbines may not produce as much energy as anticipated. Instead of allowing each turbine to operate individually, a wind farm control algorithm can allow turbines to ‘talk to each other’ and adjust setpoints in a coordinated way to boost overall energy production of the wind farm.

Lidar assisted control As it is widely used in self-driving cars, we use Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) to improve the performance of our turbines. Compared to traditional close loop control, Lidar assisted control has visibility of the incoming wind speed. This enables engineers to build sophisticated algorithms in the controller to work out how the wind speed is evolving and let the turbine react in advance. This will allow turbines to be built bigger and lighter which can harvest more energy from the wind at a lower cost.

Windey +44 (0) 117-427-0165 info@chinawindey.com

chinawindey.com 164

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Renewable Exchange utilizes digital technology to enable generators of renewable energy to contract transparently and efficiently, whilst maximising the revenue generated from selling their power.

B A T H

The Renewable Exchange ethos and mission is centered around connecting the renewable energy industry as efficiently possible. The energy sector is complex and difficult to navigate for sellers of power, even those with many years experience. The complexity of the contacts (Power Purchase Agreements - an agreement to buy and sell power for a given duration e.g. 12 months) often results in sellers being unclear of the expected value of their Power purchase agreement and if they have received the best market value when comparing competing offers. Renewable Exchange created a marketplace to connect renewable asset owners with energy suppliers looking to buy their power and in the two and a half years since launching the first-of-its-kind platform is now used by over 1,400 generators. Not only does the marketplace allow generators to connect with over 40 energy suppliers, it completely streamlines the tendering process and gives generators a clear and independent analysis of what their power is worth. The Renewable Exchange marketplace was conceptualised in 2016 by Robert Ogden and Michal Zglinski over many games of table tennis, and like many successful start-ups it was founded and built from the kitchen table! The marketplace underwent several iterations before evolving into the platform that is in operation today. The growth has been helped by the formation of a Bristol based sales team servicing generators across GB and the support of an international tech team who embrace the digital nomad lifestyle! The whole team is committed to renewable energy and sustainability, and most importantly to making sure generators receive best value via our marketplace. Renewable Exchange is an innovator in the UK energy sector and is a tech company in a sector that is traditionally dominated by intermediaries using phone and email, with transactions occurring using hard copy contracts. We have used concepts commonplace across many other sectors and markets from businesses like Uber and AirBnB to enable generators to improve the process by which they sell their power. The platform is

165

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

scalable internationally and we are working with asset owners in multiple markets to expand overseas. Innovation from the team has been essential over the past 12 months as energy markets felt the impact of the ongoing pandemic. Power prices collapsed and have since rebounded, and the platform enabled renewable generators to react quickly to market volatility to take advantage of power price spikes, resulting in secure revenue over a period of great uncertainty. Continued redevelopment of the platform enables Renewable Exchange to adapt to these conditions and consistently meet the needs of the asset owners which has been vital to the growth of the business. Renewable Exchange being located in Bristol is really important for our business - apart from being an amazing place to live Bristol has a real entrepreneurial, tech-based and innovative business community. It is a real hub for renewables from leading law firms such as TLT, Burgess Salmon and Foot Anstey, to leading finance parties who have been investing in renewable energy for nearly 20 years such as Triodos Bank and Thrive Renewables. Further to this, many energy suppliers are located in the area who share our commitment to renewable energy such as Good Energy, Ecotricity, OVO and Pure Planet.

As with every year we remain flexible and excited to embrace new challenges and opportunities as they appear in the ever changing and rapidly growing market of renewable electricity generation.

In respect to milestones 2021 is set to be a massive year for Renewable Exchange:

As a business we grew 500% in 2020 and we want to continue growing in 2021 at a sustainable pace. Platform 2.0 is due to go live! This takes the platform to the next level and enables our tech team to implement innovations even quicker to react to new opportunities. We’re primed for global expansion. Our aim is to move into another international market this year and demonstrate the true scalability of our cutting edge tech platform.

chris.smith@renewable.exchange +44 (0) 1174 057 931 Renewable Exchange RenewableExcha1

renewable.exchange 166

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

PURE PLANET HELPS UK HOUSEHOLDS GET TO NET ZERO WITH CLEANER, GREENER ENERGY

Pure Planet is a sustainable, digital, 100% renewable energy supplier, harnessing the power of its Members to help change the world for good. We’re Bath based and serve the British residential energy market.

money and cutting their carbon footprint. Our Members have saved or offset 1.6m tonnes of CO2e from our atmosphere since launch. Together, we’ve made a huge difference in helping to tackle climate change. But there’s more to be done.

When Pure Planet launched in 2017, it was with one goal – to help create a better world by supplying clean, renewable energy to people’s homes for less cost than fossil alternatives.

It’s our belief that electricity should be green. Gas should be carbon neutral (and phased out ASAP). And they should both be cheaper. We have made 100% renewable energy affordable and compelling to the mass-market using technology to drive down cost. We are:

People who switch their homes to Pure Planet save on average over three tonnes of CO2. We have more than 200,000 Members who are saving

167

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Britain’s first energy supplier to offer both 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon offset gas as standard.

B A T H

Pure Planet’s green ethos runs through its founders and staff - in June 2019 on Clean Air Day each Member was encouraged to commute to work carbon free, with one staff member canoeing along the river Avon to the office in Bath. In 2020, Pure Planet CEO Andrew Ralston joined some of the world’s largest businesses in signing the United Nations pledge to tackle the global challenges the world is facing.

Britain’s first energy supplier to offer zero markup on energy used – with clean, renewable power at game-changing, value-for-money prices on both fixed and variable tariffs. A Which? Recommended Energy Provider 2020 and 2021, a Best Smaller Company to Work For (#2 nationally and #1 in the South West), a member of the Energy Switch Guarantee scheme and a Living Wage and Disability Confident employer.

Pure Planet treats its customers as Members - everyone benefits together from zero markup on energy, online services available 24/7 and access to a thriving Community of fellow Members. The Community is an online platform where customers can communicate with each other and the company can test new upcoming products or changes to the app and share and discuss any energy related concerns with other passionate people.

The only independent energy supplier to be a signatory to the UN’s Global Compact and as such we are committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In January 2021, Pure Planet was listed by Which? as a joint top recommended provider of the year for the second year running, with 91% of Pure Planet customers saying they had no problems with the provider in the past year.

Britain’s first energy supplier to provide 24/7 digital service as standard through WattBot, a personalised app and online chat with our team based in Bath, plus an online Community of over 50,000 highlyengaged registered users.

Innovation to reach net zero continues apace and 2021 will see more digital services to cut people’s carbon impact by helping manage energy consumption in smart homes, as well as support for charging electric vehicles at home and on the road.

Winner of the 2021 Uswitch Award for Best App as well as being runner up for Best Deal for You and Easiest to Switch to categories. Getting to Net Zero is a shared challenge. The good news is we know people want to live more sustainably. Our latest annual People & Power Report (based on a poll of 2,000 people) revealed more than three quarters (78%) believe we all have a responsibility to try to prevent climate change and 75% say they try to reduce their environmental impact wherever possible.

Pure Planet

Pure Planet joinpureplanet

purepla.net 168

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We give organisations the space, knowledge, contacts and tools to accelerate their sustainability journey and progress towards carbon neutrality.

WE DO THIS BY SHOWCASING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, FACILITATING FUTURE-THINKING DISCUSSIONS AND COLLABORATING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

Future Leap brings together a community of change makers that Discover, Innovate and Collaborate on all things sustainability focussed. They have a carbon neutral business hub in Bristol, the first of its kind in the country and situated in the heart of Bristol’s independent retail district.

with forward thinking companies and individuals and providing 360° environmental consultancy services for both businesses and individuals. Future Leaps’ mission is to give organisations the space, knowledge, contacts and tools to accelerate on their sustainability journey and progress towards carbon neutrality. By being part of the community at Future Leap, organisations and individuals benefit from a whole host of environmental services to keep them in touch with the most current thinking on the climate crisis and solutions for a more sustainable future for all.

Future Leap champion all things sustainable through showcasing innovative solutions in their environmental tech and product zone, facilitating future-thinking discussions through their weekly events programme, fostering collaboration in their co-working hub, partnering

169

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Fenna Leake, Future Leap Manager

As Mark Carney, Former Bank of England Governor and now Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance says ‘“Companies that don’t adapt will go bankrupt, without question.”

“We must do everything we possibly can to build back better by reducing our carbon through retrofitting buildings, transport and looking into the materials we use to make things for a more circular economy. At Future Leap we can take you through the whole process of making this happen for your business or for your home, advising at each stage and offering environmental solutions. For anything sustainability focussed please pop in for an informal chat or book one of our consultants”

The physical sustainable business hub on the Gloucester Road forms the epicentre of Future Leaps community of change makers and showcases new innovative technologies. It has sustainability embedded throughout the building which underwent a £1.5m retrofit and first opened in December 2019. They have re-used, re-purposed and reconditioned the building throughout and all original features have been kept, such as the old stone partition wall, 1930’s wooden flooring and glass frontage, ensuring zero waste to landfill. They have installed one of the largest living walls in Bristol spanning the entire length of the building to help improve air quality from the busy road, promote biodiversity and support pollinating insects. Installed within is a cutting-edge air source heat pump and mechanical ventilation heat recovery system helping the hub achieve its carbon neutral status. Circular economy principles have been thought of throughout the building, with the carpet made from discarded fishing nets removed from the ocean and chairs 3D printed from crisp wrappers. The building has been fitted with energy efficient LED lighting throughout and has hi-tech controls and even the desks are made from disused railway tracks! Alan Bailey, Founder and Director

Katherine Piper, Partnerships Director “The 2018 IPCC special report on Global Warming of 1.5C states that avoiding the devastating impacts of climate change requires “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities.” Understanding your business carbon footprint and what you can do individually and as an organisation is now absolutely vital to help the green recovery and build back better. If we work together we can make real change”

Future Leap live and breathe the opportunity to build back better by creating a more resilient business community and strengthening local economies with a change in working culture and practices. The coworking space provides a flexible working environment and an ideal space for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation to tackle the climate, ecological and social crises. They have an eco-lifestyle shop for co-workers and passing retail traffic, an ethical café and eco-catering offer with deli, an event and meeting space with 3,000+ attendees annually for their weekly knowledge sharing events and exhibition space to showcase all the most recent environmental technologies.

Future Leap hub@futureleap.co.uk

futureleaphub.co.uk 170

future_leap Future Leap Business Hub future_leap_hub Future Leap

“With a growing climate crisis there is a national imperative to make nuclear energy cheaper and faster to install. We can only achieve this with well targeted and coordinated research and innovation activities strongly supported by the government as well as industry.” — PROFESSOR TOM SCOTT, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

CHAPTER 10

NUCLEAR

Photo by EUROFusion/UKAEA

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A fusion of academic excellence and world-leading industry powering innovation in nuclear energy to realise the zero-carbon economy of the future.

EUROFusion and UK Atomic Energy Authority The South West Nuclear Hub (SWNH) is helping to realise the zerocarbon economy of the future. Its alliance of academic, industrial and governmental institutions in the south west is pursuing research, innovation and skills in support of nuclear energy for electricity and other high-value products such as heat and hydrogen.

The Hub is a membership organisation and since 2016 it has attracted major players in the sector including EDF, Cavendish Nuclear and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to join the network. By uniting academic and industrial research, the SWNH enables innovation between those organisations that are leading the development of current and future technologies.

The joint Nuclear Research Centre between the Universities of Bristol and Oxford was established in 2011 that united a community of around 100 nuclear energy researchers supporting the safe operation of current and future generation nuclear systems.

According to Professor Tom Scott, Co-Director of the South West Nuclear Hub, “We bring together a unique pool of specialist talent and expertise that can be tapped into by industry; in turn industry helps us to ensure that our education and research stays at the cutting edge and has a positive impact on society.”

In 2013 the Government’s Witty review ranked the University of Bristol number one in the UK for nuclear research impact. Building on this significant recognition, the South West Nuclear Hub opened in September 2016 with a physical base, the David Smith Building, at the University of Bristol. From here it leads and coordinates the regional effort in nuclear research, teaching and innovation.

This is not limited to large companies already in the supply chain; the Hub’s free-to-join Innovation Membership category is offered to companies seeking to enter the nuclear technology development pipeline, such as start-ups, SMEs, University spin-outs and sector-jumpers.

173

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The SWNH is growing this powerful innovation network to facilitate innovation in the nuclear supply chain, and provide opportunities for companies in the region to deploy products with experienced collaborators in the nuclear supply chain. Coupled with enhanced access to academic expertise and graduate talent, the SWNH hold a key position in enabling innovation in what is often perceived as a conservative industrial sector. Case study: Diamond Batteries - recycling nuclear waste to create energy A team of physicists and chemists from the University of Bristol are providing a solution for the problem of nuclear waste. They plan to do so by recycling irradiated graphite from nuclear reactors to generate ultra long-lasting, low level power sources that could last anywhere between 12 to 5000 years, see image above of the prototype devices. Spin-out Arkenlight Ltd. has been created to make this commercially viable, and sites being decommissioned in the South West like Berkeley or Hinkley Point B could provide the materials for the first commercial diamond batteries. Such is the South West Nuclear Hub’s role in innovation, it has received external recognition of its work. In 2018 it was named Academic Innovator winner in The Engineer Collaborate to Innovate Awards. The winning bid showcased collaborative projects developing radiation tolerant ‘diamond detectors’, pipeline investigating devices and seismic testing of reactor cores. The South West is home to the only current nuclear new-build site in the UK, at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. It is also as the second largest region for nuclear sector employment, as shown in the 2020 Nuclear Industry Association Jobs Map. Accordingly, there is an estimated £50bn of investment in a range of nuclear projects that will be dispensed within 75 miles of Bristol.

Frazer Nash and SNCL Atkins, plus nuclear project delivery suppliers like Framatome and Cavendish Nuclear.

Bristol and Filton are hotspots for nuclear industry, with the EDF New Build Headquarters and the new EPR Design Centre employing significant number of technical experts in the city. The wider region boasts a unique combination of specialist knowledge in high temperature reactor operation, at EDF’s technical headquarters in Gloucester and consultancies like

With many other high-value engineering clusters sited in the region such as aerospace, defence, digital, electronics and photonics, the SWNH sits in a unique position to link capabilities across sectors to ensure that nuclear energy projects benefit from the widest pool of innovation.

174

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

With this globally competitive nuclear research and innovation ecosystem, the Hub aims to coordinate applied research outputs from Universities so that they form part of a complete regional technology development pipeline. Beyond the completion of Hinkley Point C, which is due to power 6 million homes when it comes online later this decade, the next generation of advanced nuclear technologies will be needed for a net-zero carbon future. There are several areas in which the Hub’s innovative ecosystem aims to be leaders: Robotics: Tackling challenges in decommissioning, fusion, accident recovery and inspection of facilities through the University of Bristol’s National Nuclear User Facility and connecting to the Bristol Robotics Laboratory at the University of the West of England. Sensors, mapping and characterisation: Applying new technologies and those from other sectors to the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of complex nuclear assets. Digital innovation: Building on the overlap between the creative and industrial sectors to enable improvements in construction, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear facilities as well as training the nuclear workforce. Fusion energy: With the UK’s aim to develop the world’s first commercial fusion power plant by 2040, SWNH Researchers are transferring knowledge of high temperature reactor engineering to this exciting new technology. Case study: High Temperature Engineering knowledge transfer – fission to fusion The target of developing a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040 requires the application of knowledge from nuclear fission, particularly in areas such as structural integrity and high temperature engineering.

175

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

University of Bristol The University of Bristol has long conducted research in these areas for fission power plants; the Solid Mechanics Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering has partnered with EDF on the High Temperature Centre since 2008. As a result it has substantial expertise in the behaviour of materials in harsh environments, which is vital knowledge needed for the development of a fusion power plant. All of this research will be crucial to deliver the UK’s target to comprehensively decarbonise its energy supply by 2050, explains Professor Tom Scott: “The world needs clean, reliable and secure nuclear energy if it is to avoid the growing climate crisis. In the UK, and specifically in the South West, we have globally unique expertise in fusion and high temperature fission technology that give us a real chance to be the first in the world to build a working fusion power station. It is no longer ‘fifty years away’, it could be here in time to contribute to a carbon neutral economy by 2050”. University of Bristol, Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 117 928 9000

To find out more about how your organisation can join our Innovation network, and support the drive for a net-zero energy future, get in touch: southwestnuclearhub.ac.uk

176

southwestnuclearhub.ac.uk UniversityOfBristol

southwestnuclearhub.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

EMPOWERING THE INDUSTRY

Big Carl lifting the geodesic lid of one of the bunkers early one January morning. Used by kind permission of EDF Energy, 2021

Vocational training - Nuclear South West, 2019

Nuclear South West is a partnership of industry, academia and government organisations that champion the South West nuclear industry, coordinating activities to support the existing nuclear clusters across the South West and promoting activities that will lead to new investments in nuclear projects and advanced technologies.

- CONNECT - SHOWCASE

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES The South West has a unique combination of infrastructure, capabilities, skills and sites that can support the deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. The region hosted the world’s first purely civil nuclear power station at Berkeley and is ideally placed to continue to be a globally significant centre of nuclear innovation, including fusion.

- LEAD

Hinkley Point C is the most recent nuclear power station to begin construction in Europe and it has re-established a local and national supply chain and brought together a large, diverse workforce capable of supporting further advanced nuclear projects. The region is also home to internationally leading academic institutions capable of training new entrants and upskilling the existing workforce to meet demands – these include the University of Bristol, the National College for Nuclear and two Institutes of Technology.

The South West is the premier destination in the UK for nuclear investment, innovation and growth, with opportunities and academic capacity across: Nuclear New Build (NNB) Power – the region hosts the only current new build project in the UK (the most recent in Europe) and the supply chain development that goes alongside it, creating a lasting legacy for future new nuclear Existing Nuclear Fleets and the operation, maintenance and life extension activities attached to operational plants Decommissioning - on existing licensed sites in Berkeley, Oldbury, Hinkley and Winfrith and within defence, plus associated developments to improve decommissioning, both in the UK and for export globally Advanced Technologies as part of the roadmap for nuclear, leading to a net zero economy by 2050 Workforce Development, Skills and Vocational Training for today and tomorrow’s nuclear workforce

The South West’s companies, facilities and academic institutions are also involved in: New Nuclear Build (NNB) and design via the EPR Design Centre Fusion power and the siting of the STEP programme Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) – Gen IV fission Hot Robotics Regulation and Planning Defence Decommissioning Deep Geological Disposal

177

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Matt Burley, Chair, Nuclear South West:

SIZE OF THE OPPORTUNITY £50 billion of opportunities in the nuclear industry within 75 miles of the South West region £200m of live contract opportunities right now The highest density of licensed nuclear sites in the UK World class expertise in nuclear research Centres of excellence in nuclear accredited skills programmes World leading supply chain programmes

“The UK finds itself at the forefront of the energy revolution and the Nuclear South West cluster is mobilised to support the delivery of the UK’s ambition to be a decarbonised economy by 2050. The South West boasts world-class advanced engineering and construction sectors in nuclear with a highly innovative workforce, uniquely positioned to adapt and develop new nuclear.”

Nuclear South West has a uniquely collaborative nature, harnessing the expertise of local clusters and sectors including aerospace & advanced manufacturing, digital & creative, defence, cyber, photonics, robotics, energy and marine technologies. The Nuclear South West Industry Network connects businesses through events and other opportunities – you can register at www.nuclearsouthwest.co.uk/join for more information. A separate, dedicated Hinkley Supply Chain team, delivered by SWMAS, Somerset Chambers of Commerce and Business West, works with EDF Energy and its main contractors to understand and support the Hinkley Point C supply chain, identify opportunities for local suppliers and make connections – www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk

Nuclear South West Leigh Court Business Centre Bristol, BS83RA +44 (0) 1275 370 946

178

enquiries@Nuclearsouthwest.co.uk NuclearSW

nuclearsouthwest.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TRANSFORMING MATTER OUR VISION: To be a UK EPC contractor and manufacturer, internationally recognised in the Energy industry.

& technology centre near Bristol, in order to support the UK nuclear program. Our diverse team is driven to work internationally with up to 8 languages spoken.

OUR MISSION: We are passionate in what we do. Our high performing team leverage our knowledge and expertise in delivering solutions to the most complex projects in collaboration with our customers.

Since its inception, Efinor has always considered innovation as a key enabler of its business success. Innovating in delivering the most appropriate solutions to our customers but also innovating the way we are delivering these solutions, for example in partnering and collaborating with other companies, is part of who we are.

Efinor is a privately owned business specialising in metal work from design to manufacturing, installation and maintenance. We developed as a project oriented business delivering special and bespoke components and systems for highly regulated industries including nuclear and defence. From metal structures to integration of mechanical systems, we are able to address the full life cycle of projects and are working as Tier 1 or Tier 2 for large customer organisations including EDF, EDF Energy, Bouygues, BYLOR, Framatome, ORANO, Naval Group, Babcock, etc.

Innovation is critical for businesses to thrive. It engrains critical thinking in our day to day activities and allows differentiating ourselves from others. It also provides the business with a culture and a state of mind of agility and adaptation which are critical capabilities in our world today where technologies evolved quickly.

Starting in 2017, with 2 people working to develop the activities of EFINOR Limited, within less than 4 years we are employing more than 60 colleagues in Bristol and the South West of England delivering innovative projects as part of the ambitious UK energy program targeting net zero Carbon target by 2050. We are now opening a manufacturing

Choosing Bristol to locate Efinor Ltd Head Quarter in UK was a straight forward decision as it allowed us to get close to our main customer EDF Energy subsidiary NNB and our leading projects location on Hinkley Point C site. Since the start we benefitted from this great location and from the dynamic drive of the South West region.

179

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Alan Wiltshire, Operation Director

With tremendous growth in the last 4 years, Efinor have never been short of finding strong candidates to join the business in the various capacities required. The team is a mix of experienced colleagues and younger professionals. We also found a strong business community being able to support our development as well as leading academics from local universities in Bristol and Bath. With its infrastructures, the region allows efficient travelling options nationally and internationally. We strongly believe that all these characteristics will make the South West a leading area in the development of UK future energy plan.

Engineering & Project Business Unit Group Director

MILESTONES Focussing on Hinkley Point C delivery with our current contracts and further packages of work being tendered; Developing our site team and our manufacturing capabilities to deliver work and support the broader NNB team as per our experience in similar nuclear new build project; Being involved on preparing next nuclear project in Sizewell C and continuing support to NNB, CGN and Edf Energy in UK; Getting involved in the decommissioning market in UK and internationally, incl. waste management for NDA estate (Dounreay, Sellafield, Magnox, etc.) and the future decommissioning of EDF Energy commercial fleet.

EFINOR Ltd Floor 6A Whitefriars Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NT +44 (0) 1173 021 208 contact.efinorlimited@efinor.com

efinor.com 180

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

YOUR PERFORMANCE IS OUR EVERYDAY COMMITMENT

at Sizewell B, representing a longstanding relationship with local partners and suppliers. Between 500 and 600 employees support scheduled maintenance outages, which inject thousands of British pounds into the local economy.

Framatome is an international leader in nuclear energy recognized for delivering innovative solutions and technologies to support civil nuclear here in the U.K. and around the world. We design, service and install components, fuel, and instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. Our more than 14,000 employees work every day to help Framatome’s customers supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical low-carbon energy.

Nuclear energy has an important role in powering our clean future. It is a reliable and carbon-free source of electricity that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s also an industry where experts and innovators are constantly evaluating and incorporating the latest breakthrough technologies, to ensure the continued efficient production of electricity.

Nuclear power faces a global energy landscape experiencing a pace of change unmatched since cities began to electrify in the 1800s. Historically, electricity generation was driven purely by consumer demand. Now the global mindset has changed, driven by concern about what impact electricity production is having on the planet. To facilitate the transition away from resources emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) and other particulate matter, governments are supporting the development and installation of low-carbon energy capacities. This transition has had the most significant impact for base load generation types, like nuclear, which provides reliable energy when renewable sources like solar and wind aren’t available.

In addition to modernizing tools and processes to enhance electricity generation, innovations are changing the way that our workers operate and complete maintenance activities to support today’s fleet of reactors. For example, virtual reality creates immersive experiences that allow personnel to train, prepare for and even practise activities before they arrive at a plant site. Workers can decide how they will need to organise and position equipment to complete work in the safest and most efficient way. Once they are on-site, augmented reality applications feed important data, such as radiological activity and dosimetry, to field workers.

As the first major economy to pass a net-zero-emissions law, Framatome is supporting the United Kingdom to reach its 2050 target by contributing to the construction of two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C located in Somerset, and two at the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant located in Suffolk. Framatome also assists maintenance and long-term operations

Framatome is also playing a key role in innovating solutions that utilizes nuclear power reactors in a way never seen before. Joining in on the fight against cancer, Framatome and its partners are developing and delivering a medical isotope that allows for the therapeutic treatment of small tumours like prostate cancer, potentially helping to save thousands of lives.

181

The nuclear energy industry depends on a highly skilled workforce. Framatome partners with professors and leaders from various universities across the country, including the University of Bristol and the University of Cambridge, to foster local talent through the collaboration of nuclear science, technology and engineering programs. As part of the Hinkley Point C project, Framatome expects to hire 100 people in the Bristol area with engineering and construction expertise. Framatome has called the U.K. home for more than 25 years and we remain committed to contributing to the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery and clean energy future.

Framatome Framatome

framatome.com 182

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The nuclear electrical engineering expert of the ENGIE Group supporting the South West to reach its zero-carbon transition through its unique expertise and its innovation spirit.

In 2019, ENGIE Ineo Nuclear invested in Bristol to bring its extensive experience to the Hinkley Point C project dedicated to providing 7% of the UK’s electricity and helping Britain to achieve net zero. In 2021, the newly incorporated company secured a five-year £50+ million contract thanks to its unique capabilities. A significant part of this value will be reinvested in the local area through job creations and procurement with local industrial partners. We believe the South West region brings great opportunities in terms of industrial challenges through massive projects currently being delivered, as well as a reliable and experienced local network of industrial suppliers that we can rely on. ©Cédric DELESTRADE ENGIE

Moreover, the region and Bristol are great locations to live.

ENGIE Ineo Nuclear is the nuclear electrical engineering expert of the ENGIE group. We support the nuclear industry through our extensive expertise based on decades of lessons learnt and our innovation spirit. We are able to deliver large turnkey projects through design, engineering, calculations, manufacturing, qualification, installation, on-site supervision, testing and commissioning, maintenance, obsolescence management and decommissioning. Our core businesses are low voltage and high voltage electrical, cable and cable tray routing, installation security, radiation protection and nuclear safety, IT and comms, instrumentation and control and multi-technical maintenance. ENGIE Ineo Nuclear can address the whole nuclear sector and provide its extensive expertise on all types of nuclear sites including nuclear power plants, uranium cycle plants, radioactive waste storage facilities, fusion research facilities, research reactors or nuclear submarines. ©Cédric DELESTRADE ENGIE

183

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

©Cédric DELESTRADE ENGIE We are supporting the UK in achieving its net zero transition by bringing our extensive experience of large international nuclear projects and investing in new critical engineering capabilities in Bristol.

OUR STORY IN THE SOUTH WEST SO FAR :

•

2016 : ENGIE Ineo Nuclear was selected as preferred bidder to deliver its unique capabilities to support critical projects in the UK

INNOVATIONS :

•

2018 : Creation of a dedicated team to support projects in the South West

Thanks to its innovation spirit, ENGIE Ineo Nuclear has supported its industry sector through several innovations bringing value for money, economy of scale, safety, reliability and optimisation to its projects.

•

2019 : Investment in new critical capabilities in the South West o Incorporation of a new limited company o Hiring local and highly qualified workers in Bristol

•

2021 : Official signature of our £50+ million contract for a five-year period

•

Our next step : o Development of an additional highly qualified team in Bristol and Somerset based on our unique experience

It has developed new full 3D in-house engineering and design tools allowing it to optimise project design, quantities, supply management, installation works, commissioning, operation and maintenance. This new approach is based on ENGIE Ineo Nuclear’s extensive lessons learnt from on-site works management and design expertise, as well as collaborative database and on-site monitoring. We also brought a newly green approach, innovations and cost performance to decommissioning issues through innovative ways of tackling our clients’ most critical challenges. This unique approach is based on refurbishment, reverse engineering, resale and recovery of equipment.

ENGIE Ineo Nuclear 33 Colston Avenue Bristol – BS1 4UA +44 (0) 117 332 6808 thibault.boya@engie.com

ENGIE Ineo Nuclear has also been able to develop what we call “maintenance engineering”: a new approach merging dozens of maintenance contracts into a single one while sharing risks with its clients.

engie-solutions.com/en 184

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

“Our teams originating from widely differing and specialist backgrounds in various sectors are the key to our success and ensure the daily satisfaction of our clients”. Gilles GLAD — Founder and CEO of SEIMAF

WELCOME TO OUR UNIVERSE OF EXPERTISE AND PASSION ! SEIMAF Groupe is an Engineering Consultancy with 26 years of experience. Our sectors of activity are: energy, environment, construction and transport. Our desire is to work with industrial operators to help them maximize their performance and responsiveness. Our experience, advanced engineering and project management capabilities allow us to tackle the most complex projects while remaining competitive in the market.

26 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 150 COLLABORATORS ACROSS EUROPE 3 SITES ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Within the framework of one-off or recurring assignments, SEIMAF supports companies seeking to outsource their studies or create project platforms. Whatever your project, our team is committed to supporting you. More than just solutions, we provide you with specialist expertise.

SEIMAF UK Supporting the Hinkley Point C Project, one of the largest constructions in the world. £22-23 Billion Nuclear Project. 23 Engineers working on the project.

TIMELINE

1994 – Le Plessis Robinson 2004 – Bucharest 2012 – Noisy Le Grand 2017 – Saint Herblain 2018 – Bristol 2018 – Cherbourg 2019 – Paris

185

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Audrey TÉTAS — Civil Engineer at Hinkley Point C

B A T H

Gabriela MATEI — Delivery Coordinator for Hinkley Point C

As a child, I always had an interest in construction and architecture so it was inevitable for me to begin my studies in the construction field. I decided to continue my studies with an apprenticeship in a construction company. After two professional years I wished to learn more and more in order to improve my skills in structural design for bigger projects. Hence I understood that engineering school would be the best choice for it.

When we think about engineering, and in our case the nuclear industry, we assume it’s an environment filled with men. But, in the last few years, with support from schools, organisations and companies, the rate of women being involved in engineering has risen considerably. I think it needs to be communicated from an earlier age, that engineering is a great profession, and there is a lot that can be done due to the large spectrum of disciplines. I began my professional journey in a different domain, so I didn’t choose engineering as much as I think engineering found me! Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to integrate with an engineering team which was interested in interdisciplinary backgrounds.

As a civil engineer I work on significant civil engineering projects with complex structures and high quality standards. Everyday I broaden my horizons as a civil engineer with new knowledge and I particularly appreciate calculation and the behavior or the resistance of buildings. Furthermore, I meet and interact with so many interesting people, sharing my experience and Knowledge.

If I had to say what inspires me about engineering, it would be that there is a great opportunity to be creative, be productive, and do good in the world. And, for this, it takes all types of engineers - inspired women and men from all disciplines - to gather together and do engineering work at all levels.

I became an Engineer because I wanted to learn methodologies, new viewpoints and new technical skills. I intend to continue to improve my engineering experience over the coming years and look forward to the next exciting project.

Patricia PEINADO — Recruitment Coordinator Working as a Recruiter in an Engineering Consultancy, I realize that the engineering field is primarily male orientated. One of the initiatives that SEIMAF wants to launch is to shape the future of young engineers, women and diversity. Thanks to my position, I have direct contact with the public looking for work and I am able to contribute to innovation in this regard.

I have had the great opportunity to join SEIMAF UK at the end of 2020 to lead our UK team and grow the business. My team is the heart of the company and I’m grateful to be working with such a talented and diverse team that is contributing to shaping our future.

The path to equal opportunities has already begun, but there is still a long way to go and it is in our power to be able to achieve it step by step, contributing from our personal and professional positions.

At SEIMAF we strive for innovation through expertise, quality and team spirit. To us, team spirit means to collaborate with others by adding value as a supplier, a customer, an employer and an employee.

SEIMAF UK 1 Temple Way, 5th Floor Bristol BS2 0BY damien.fontbonne@seimaf.uk +44 (0) 7759 285923 SeimafUk seimaf-uk

Want to be part of it? Please get in touch! — Damien FONTBONNE

Business Manager

186

SEIMAF Groupe France Centre d’affaires La Boursidière 92350 Le Plessis Robinson BP 149 SEIMAFGroupe seimafgroupe

SEIMAF.com

CHAPTER 11

EDUCATION

“In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.” — NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION Bath Spa University is where creative minds meet. We teach and research across art, sciences, education, social science, and business. The University employs outstanding creative professionals who support its aim to be a leading educational institution in creativity, culture and enterprise. We are a small university with 8000 students spread across several outstandingly beautiful campuses, from our Graduate School which is located in a stately home to our brand new creative arts facility, located in a former furniture factory on the river Avon in the heart of the Georgian city of Bath. We’re a registered social enterprise, with civic engagement high on our agenda for both students and staff.

189

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We’re champions of creativity, culture and enterprise, giving students the skills and support they need to find and follow their passions.” — PROFESSOR SUE RIGBY, VICE-CHANCELLOR

THE CENTRE FOR CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: CCCI Since it was set up in 2017, CCCI has driven forward research in the creative industries, in line with the University’s deep engagement with local, regional, and international business partners, from our cross-sector AHRC-funded research programme, Amplified Publishing - which brings together large partners like BT, Epic Games, Future, and the BBC with regional creative tech businesses like Rocketmakers and Complete Control to think deeply about what the future of publishing might look like - to our engagement with the many artists, writers, and technologists among our academics. We support bluesky research and development while helping to augment existing projects and find new avenues for enterprise and industry partnerships. And one of the main ways we achieve this is through Bath Spa’s first step into providing innovation space for local micro-businesses - The Studio at Palace Yard Mews.

THE STUDIO AT PALACE YARD MEWS The Studio at Palace Yard Mews is Bath Spa University’s first step towards establishing a city-centre home for research, innovation, and enterprise, with a focus on fostering fruitful collaborations between art and technology throughout the creative industries. Our vision is to build an ecosystem of students, academics, graduates and micro-businesses providing a generous working environment to support inclusive and sustainable growth. We see The Studio as part of the University’s civic engagement with the city, in line with the social enterprise ethos Bath Spa is developing. The businesses we work with run the gamut from the sole trader grappling with establishing a sustainable business that will support him and his work, to the tech start-up founder who is looking for exponential growth for her enterprise. We are also exploring collaboration within the ambitious transdisciplinary iSTART innovation and enterprise project with the University of Bath, Bath College, and a host of other partners.

190

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE STUDIO CASE STUDY: LITTLE LOST ROBOT Little Lost Robot was founded by a partnership between artists Ruby Jennings and Joseph Wilk. They are an ‘arty’ robotics company with the aim of making technology humane and accessible, using tech to “create a vision of the future that is non-slick, human-centric and gloriously humane in all its messy domestic parts”. They were The Studio’s first Resident business, joining the space in November 2019. The two main projects Little Lost Robot has been working on in The Studio have been Playable Spaces, which explores the way automation can aid the development of public spaces, by using soft robotics to create malleable and versatile street furniture, and Stupid Cities, a prototype which aims to improve the social equality of our cities by using placemaking tools to highlight how current urban design creates disability.

191

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE STUDIO: OUR VALUES

Inclusive: we engage with a broad range of people across multiple sectors Interdisciplinary: we support innovation across disciplines Practice-based: we make and do stuff Entrepreneurial: we create sustainable work that has lasting impact in the world Collaborative: we are in this space because we believe we work better when we work together Creative: we are interested in exploring how technology can expand and augment creativity

Bath Spa University Newton Park Newton St Loe Bath BA2 9BN United Kingdom

192

international@bathspa.ac.uk +44 (0)1225 875875 Bath Spa University

bathspa.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

USING TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TO SOLVE REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS

Photo by University of Bath

The University of Bath The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities both in terms of research and reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and graduate prospects.

The University of Bath is ranked highly in all national league tables, including 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2021, and 9th in both The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021, and the Complete University Guide 2021.

Primarily located at the Claverton Down campus on the edge of Bath the University has 18,800 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, representing more than 130 nationalities.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, 87 % of the University’s research was defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. From developing fuel efficient cars of the future, to identifying infectious diseases more quickly, or understanding the potential of artificial intelligence, research from Bath is making a difference around the world.

The University is one of the largest employers in Bath, with 3,500 staff. It supports thousands of additional jobs in the region. It has been calculated that the University generates hundreds of millions of pounds for the region’s economy.

The University has also been working jointly with B&NES and other key stakeholders to use its research expertise and tackle challenges specific to its home city. As part of the Our Shared Future initiative University academics and students are working on developing more energy efficient and low-carbon buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage City, exploring the potential policymaking benefits of ‘Digital Twins’, computer simulations using real-world data, and evaluating the impact of the Community Wellbeing Hub, which integrates services from the Council, Virgin Care (for the NHS) and voluntary and community sectors for people in need of support and advice.

The University’s teaching is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the Government’s assessment of teaching quality in universities, meaning it is of the highest quality in the UK, and the University’s graduate outcomes are among the best in the UK. Almost 90 % of our first-degree graduates work in the top three occupational groups, compared to 74 % of employed graduates nationally and around two-thirds of the University’s students will undertake work placements as part of their degree. Many graduates stay on to live and work in the West Country after their time studying in Bath.

193

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

MOTION CAPTURE AND AI TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES IN SPORT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND HEALTHCARE

B A T H

The £46m visionary initiative, a partnership between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England, will develop major new research and development (R&D) facilities and partnerships connecting regional and national partners with global tech giants, including Netflix, Google, and Microsoft. Together they will pioneer new digital formats and technologies, creating innovative experiences across fiction, documentary, games, and live performance. The programme at Bath will be led by CAMERA’s Director, Professor Darren Cosker and Professor in Human Computer Interaction and leader of the CREATE Lab, Danaë Stanton Fraser. Professor Cosker said: “As part of MyWorld, CAMERA will be leading the development of substantial capital investments in research infrastructure around performance capture, immersive technology and virtual production. In addition, we will be leading a multi-million-pound R&D programme open to both universities and industry. “From a research point of view, we will be leveraging the power of data and AI to create tools that both assist creativity and improve productivity. This builds on CAMERA’s already significant activities in this area, where we already work with more than 20 partners across the UK and globally trying to transform the use of technology in the creative sector as well as its applications to other areas such as sport and healthcare.” 2021 will see the launch of CAMERA’s new Innovation Motion Capture Studio at The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, south Bristol, following support from the European Structural Investment Fund.

Photo by University of Bath CAMERA (Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications) is a world leading multi-disciplinary research centre for intelligent visual and interactive technology.

Offering state-of-the-art technology combined with tailored resources and consultancy, it will create invaluable new production and post-production opportunities to a wide spectrum of companies in the region.

Its research spans three themes: Creative Science & Technology, Digital Health & Assistive Technology, and Human Performance Enhancement. Projects include digitising the motion of different dog breeds to use in the entertainment industry, using motion capture technology to monitor sports performance of skeleton athletes, and developing custom fit prosthetics liners for amputees. Research at CAMERA fuses visual computing, AI and human-computer interaction (HCI) with healthcare, rehabilitation and biomechanics. CAMERA has wide-ranging research collaborations including partners from the creative arts and entertainment industry, health sector and elite sports associations. It also has partnerships with research institutes in the UK, Europe, China, New Zealand and Japan. The Centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the UK Government’s Next Stage Digital Economy Centre Programme, as well as from 29 partners across the creative industries, sport, healthcare and engineering. In 2020, CAMERA announced it was to become part of the South West’s new creative media powerhouse, MyWorld.

Photo by University of Bath

194

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

New home for School of Management to anchor collaboration

B A T H

The University has retained Hopkins Architects which has pioneered British architecture since 1976 on projects throughout the world including the London 2012 Velodrome; the Wellcome Trust’s Gibbs Building; and high-quality educational buildings at universities including Cambridge, University College London, Princeton and Harvard.

As one of the UK’s leading business schools, the University of Bath’s School of Management engages closely with business and society to influence the present and shape the future.

The new building will feature: A Student Entrepreneurship Lab - for students from across the University to work together on business creation and innovation An Employment Hub - for business and industry partners to visit and help prepare students for the workplace A Behavioural Research Lab – to study real and digital environments An HPC Supply Chain Innovation Lab – open to local SMEs and the larger multinationals they work with eight lecture theatres and a 250 seat Conference Auditorium Inspiring collaboration between students, academics and corporate partners is at the heart of the School and the building will nurture that in an open layout, encouraging joint working to flourish. The intention is to foster entrepreneurial thinking that develops a vibrant ecosystem of inspiration, initiation and acceleration to establish the School of Management as an anchor point in the local and regional business community. Photo by AWW The University is investing £70 million in a landmark building that will enable the School to move to the next stage in the development of its teaching, research and student experience, strengthening its position among UK business schools and supporting its aim of becoming a top 50 global business school. The new building, which is planned to open in time for the 2022/23 academic year, will embody the School’s understanding of a 21st century management school, driving creativity, ambition and innovation, and supporting the School’s core philosophies of ‘engagement, education and collaboration.’ The project is anticipated to create over 100 new jobs on campus and will bring considerable benefits to the City of Bath and wider economy, predicted to be over £240 million of value over 25 years.

Photo by AWW

195

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Powering new ways of working and innovation in the automotive industry A new University of Bath research facility will provide a world-class boost to the South West’s engineering credentials - and in addition to helping to plan out how the vehicles of the future will be powered, it will lead the way in creating new ways of working in the automotive industry.

Photo by University of Bath The institute is a part of the South West’s Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (DETI) programme, a strategic two-year £8.85m collaborative initiative to bring together leading companies, technology disruptors and universities. It aims to push the boundaries of the digitally enabled engineering of the future, helping UK businesses maintain engineering leadership.

IAAPS, the Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, will be opening the doors to its new research and innovation facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in mid 2022. The purpose-built site comprises 17 state-of-the-art test laboratories designed to enable deep insights into the development of future generations of ultra-low and zero-emissions vehicles, and help auto manufacturers improve efficiency and meet future air quality standards.

Creating future automotive leaders

IAAPS Aerial View

The opening of the IAAPS facility will build on over 40 years of automotive propulsion research at the University of Bath. Representing a £30m investment by the University, it is recognised as a nationallyimportant site and has attracted funding from local and national government totalling a further £40m. Predicted to deliver £220m in economic value and £800m of additional turnover in the automotive industry within five years, IAAPS will also provide the necessary skills required by the UK’s automotive industries. Developing 300 apprentices and Masters- and PhD-level experts is a key training target.

Building on 40 years of automotive propulsion systems expertise at Bath, the Institute was the first in the UK to be created specifically to develop the tools and skills needed to accelerate the development of digital engineering, research and development, and to facilitate innovation at companies of all sizes.

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems is a remarkable hybrid think-and-do tank where science, behaviour change and future engineering meet.

Digital engineering points to the future Despite joint ventures and partnerships being commonplace within the automotive industry, true sharing of information has always proven difficult. IAAPS staff have identified the ever-widening application of digital integration design tools (DIDT) as one area in which everyone can benefit.

Bringing together students from backgrounds in engineering, sciences, mathematics and social sciences, the depth of knowledge and breadth of skills delivered by the Integrated MRes and PhD programme will equip students to take leading roles in addressing the complex challenges in the UK propulsion industry.

Designing and testing parts and systems digitally, prior to them being physically produced, is seen as a key way to save both time and money spent in development. The new IAAPS research and innovation facility will be able to measure the performance of components, parts and full systems, while integrating both physical and virtual assets into testing. “The automotive industry is a long way from having the digital tools we need to meet the intense cost and timescale pressures ahead,” says Professor of Advanced Powertrain Systems and Deputy Academic Director of IAAPS, Sam Akehurst.

Led by academic experts from across the University, research themes including low carbon fuels, driver and user behaviour, and policy and economics provide a full 360-degree approach to transforming mobility, redefining the way we move and developing the clean, sustainable and affordable transport solutions of the future. @uniofbath University of Bath

196

bath.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE @ UWE BRISTOL

Skills for economic and inclusive growth UWE Bristol is a large, diverse university with over 3,500 staff and 27,000 students, contributing over £400m to the West of England economy equivalent to 1.3% of the region’s economic output. Every year more than 50% of the University’s graduates remain in the region to work. Strong foundations in the regional economy have been central to UWE Bristol’s success. It is an engaged university, locally embedded and with global reach, working with communities and businesses to help shape and drive future prosperity across all parts of the region and beyond. UWE Bristol has a passion for transforming futures and is committed to creating an inclusive workforce for the future, with opportunities for all.

Preparing students for their future careers As the largest University in the South West, UWE Bristol ensures its students have consistent and practical interactions with industry to develop the skills required by employers and facilitate a successful transition into the workplace. Measures to prepare students for their future careers are built in to every course it offers. The University works with its industry partners to develop ready and able graduates who are equipped to make a positive contribution to their chosen profession or further study.

197

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

UWE Bristol students are leading the way for graduate employability, with a practice-based curriculum that makes them more ready for the real world. 95% of our students are in work or further study six months after graduating, a testament to our focus on education for the real world.” With one of the largest paid internship programmes in the UK, UWE Bristol arranges over 9,200 industry placements annually. And its studentled Business Advice Clinics enables Law and Business students to provide free legal and business advisory services to businesses and organisations in the community. Alongside this, the University’s unique BA Team Entrepreneurship degree follows a ‘learn by doing’ methodology where students take control of their learning and are supported by team coaches to set up their own company in a state-of-the-art hub within Bristol Business School. Through an ambitious strategic programme the University has systematically embedded enterprise skills and learning in over 300 undergraduate programmes – from Aerospace and Animation, to Law, Nursing and Wildlife Ecology. Annually, 9,000 UWE students graduate with the ability to think creatively; identify opportunities; adapt to a changing world and make things happen! and achievement for communities across the whole region including areas of deprivation and low levels of participation in higher education.

This embedding of enterprise was recognised by assessors in contributing to the UWE Bristol’s award of TEF Gold - the Government’s award for universities that demonstrate the highest-quality teaching standards and are consistently outstanding.

Professional development – supporting a highly skilled workforce

Lifelong learning for all UWE Bristol is a supportive and inspiring place to learn and work - where diversity of experience and perspective is encouraged, and where learning and research are accessible to as many people as possible.

UWE Bristol is the largest quality professional development and training provider with the broadest course offering in the region. Its courses are designed for the real world, with tangible business benefits in mind from day one, and underpinned by academic excellence and the latest research.

The University works hard to create opportunities for everyone to benefit from its programmes, professional development, lifelong-learning and collaborative working, regardless of background. It works closely with schools and Further Education colleges to build pathways to opportunity

Through its long-standing experience of supporting businesses in the region, it has become a key provider of higher and degree apprenticeships in the South West (1500+ learners and over 25 courses delivered for 200+ organisations).

198

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Higher and degree apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with study for a higher-level qualification, giving organisations the highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce their business needs.

B A T H

The University has over 3,000 health and social care students and annually graduates approximately 1,500 practitioners into the local and regional health and social care system. Its integrated working with NHS partners and state of the art simulation learning facilities create the right environment for the local and regional health and social care workforce pipeline.

Apprenticeships have come back from the wilderness as employers and students appreciate their huge ability to gain practical qualifications that meet real skills needs, with students earning while they learn and contributing to increased productivity, so vital to our future economic success.

In April 2020, UWE Bristol joined the national effort to host to an NHS Nightingale Hospital on its Frenchay campus to the North of the City. From the outset, the University decided one of the most important aspects of this project was ensuring it was a partner in this endeavour and not just a geographical location.

Apprentice students are a very committed cohort who are super-fuelled to succeed. Their academic and workplace learning act as a virtuous circle – in real time, they can apply their work experience to the classroom and their classroom experience to work. Crucially, apprenticeships now go all the way from GCSE equivalent up to degree or even master’s level in high skills areas, meaning apprenticeship pathways no longer stop short or limit opportunity to progress to the highest level in their field.”

As such, UWE Bristol provided a bespoke 2-day training programme for over 350 volunteers to be able to work safely in the Nightingale, and UWE Bristol Academic and Technical Teams trained clinical leads and staff in the Nightingale protocols. The University provided 1000’s of litres of disinfectant and hand gel to the site, GP, practices, pharmacies and to local businesses such as Rolls Royce and Airbus, to keep the economy moving, and made face visors in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory.

Essential training and skills for frontline NHS staff UWE Bristol works closely with Bristol’s NHS Trusts, partners and providers to train, develop and provide the skilled and committed professional workforce needed to deliver health and wellbeing now and in response to future needs.

Having a campus that is equipped to deliver staff training on the required scale for the Bristol Nightingale site is testament to the investment by the University in clinical skills and simulation training for its health and social care students, and a huge source of pride for both staff and students.

199

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Skills that support the creative and cultural fabric of the City UWE Bristol’s City Campus is hardwired into the creative and cultural fabric of the city-region with shared space, including the Arnolfini and Watershed arts centres, and co-designed and co-delivered courses with the BBC’s Natural History Unit. Driving to improve the performance of the Creative Industries in the region, the University has led on the £6.5m South West Creative Technology Network, offering funded programmes to SMEs and creative entrepreneurs on immersion, automation and data. Through a mix of development labs, fellowship schemes and large project funding, this programme will build on existing thematic strengths in the region including XR (immersive experiences), live performance and 5G. a deeper understanding of their digital skills needs and solutions for addressing them. The programme will establish a Digital Workforce for the Future SME Industry Network – offering SMEs a support network and an ability to share best practice.

The model puts inclusion and new talent at its heart to identify and support the thought leaders of tomorrow. Every programme will include new talent fellows, supported to think about innovation in a digital first way. In turn, New Talent Fellows co-produce skills workshops for the next generation, creating a radically inclusive leadership model.

UWE Bristol is an anchor partner in the West of England Institute of Technology, which delivers higher-level technical education for the digital, engineering and health sectors. By working together with further education providers and employers, it is opening up opportunities to a diverse range of learners and equipping businesses for the future.

UWE Bristol also hosts Creative Workforce for the Future, a £600,000 programme funded by the West of England LEP, that offers a flexible and bespoke programme of professional development for companies and paid placements for young people, aiming to make the Creative Industries as representative as the society in which we live.

Across the partnership the University offers a range of options that provide clear routes to highly skilled careers, for those continuing from further education or looking to upskill or reskill. With backing by employers and investment in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, learners can be confident they are developing the skills needed tomorrow.

Developing the skills of tomorrow Boosting the pipeline of high-level digital skills is vital to sustaining the growth of the West of England’s established innovation cluster, in particular the mix of Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Maths skills (STEAM).

Institutes of Technology are a new type of institution funded by the government, bringing together employers and education providers to meet this demand. The world of work is changing fast, driven by new and disruptive technologies. As job roles change and new ones are created, higher technical skills are increasingly in demand.

UWE Bristol’s transformational Digital Skills Workforce for the Future, a £400,000 programme (part of an £8 million skills programme for the region led by the West of England Combined Authority) which is engaging with SMEs to enhance and improve digital skills provision across the region. It will provide participating SMEs across all industry sectors with

UWE Bristol uwebristol university-of-the-west-of-england

200

uwe.ac.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The University of Bristol is one of Bristol’s largest employers: with more than 7,400 staff and 5,000 postgraduate researchers supporting around 28,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

At the heart of Bristol’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem

The University of Bristol contributes c.a. £1Bn a year to the city-region economy. In its Vision and Strategy, it committed to ‘work with regional industry, universities and local government to develop research and innovation themes…to drive world-leading innovation, economic growth and job creation’. In 2019, the University formally pledged to align its priorities with those of regional and city partners as part of a national Civic University initiative aimed at strengthening the impact on the places made by universities across the UK.

The University is at the core of the key activities, developing an integrated entrepreneurship ecosystem, driving new programmes in student innovation, spinning out new technology-based companies, developing a ‘landmark’ new enterprise campus, and supporting incubation services.

201

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

A new initiative, Bristol Catalyst, is being driven by the University to integrate and coordinate existing University entrepreneurship activities and to bring them into a single, easy-to-navigate pathway for students and staff, providing timely and appropriate advice and support at all points on their entrepreneurial journey. This will be coordinated with external service providers, supported by alumni, and will put Bristol on the map for realising the value of the ideas of our staff and students.

B A T H

in Unit DX and Unit DY, incubators providing critical laboratory space and support for science companies in the city. For intellectual property developed from staff research, the Research and Enterprise Division Research Commercialisation team finds appropriate commercialisation pathways such as licensing to existing or spin-out companies. The team also supports spin-out companies as they build their capabilities and find investment, encouraging them to apply for funding from the University of Bristol Enterprise Fund (managed by Parkwalk Advisors) which co-invests with angel and institutional investors. The University has also recently invested in the new Science Creates Ventures Fund which is focussing on Bristol’s deep tech companies.

Undergraduate students can undertake an integrated four-year master’s degree studying a core discipline, such as anthropology or physics, plus innovation in our Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. During the programme, they work on a variety of practical problems presented by local organisations, as well as their own business ideas.

The University is developing a new state-of-the-art campus in the heart of the city. Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus – anticipated to open in 2025 - will be at the forefront of digital and business research, education, skills and innovation, building on Bristol’s reputation as a leading digital tech cluster. The Campus – located close to Temple Meads train station – will bring together world-leading researchers, educators and innovators from science, engineering, social sciences and enterprise to explore the benefits and challenges of digital technologies on humans, communities and the wider society. Students, academics, researchers, businesses and

Students can also enter the New Enterprise Competition and apply for support from our Student Enterprise Team. They are able to attend events to develop their enterprise skills and turn their business ideas into valuable business models. Postgraduate students and early career researchers can explore potential markets for their products with support from the renowned ICURe (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research) programme, and new businesses can apply to enter our worldleading incubator, SETsquared Bristol. The University is also a shareholder

202

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

local communities will work together to tackle global challenges – from driverless cars to AI and big data, our ageing population to the future of industry. The campus will also be home to the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, which will transform the way we understand, create and use digital technology, as well as the world’s first open-access Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, building on our world-leading research in disruptive quantum technologies, providing specialist facilities and expertise for businesses.

Enriching the region’s innovation culture The University has a close partnership with Bristol City Council (BCC), West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and other local stakeholders. It has helped to identify high-value opportunities and the supporting infrastructure needed to underpin strong local innovation-led growth. This collaboration has benefited not just the city of Bristol, but also the emerging Western Gateway Powerhouse and the wider South West of the UK. our universities to develop research communities at scale which address major global and industrial challenges. It is also part of the SETsquared Partnership of universities – Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey – which aims to turn innovation into thriving businesses and drive economic growth within our regions and across the UK.

The University is part of the GW4 Alliance which brings together the research capabilities and infrastructure of the four most researchintensive and innovative universities in the UK: Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and Exeter. The Alliance identifies areas of complementary expertise across

203

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Looking ahead: powering Bristol’s postCOVID recovery Over the coming weeks and months, the University will have a central role to play in supporting the city’s recovery post-COVID. As a stakeholder in Bristol’s One City Plan, this means working closely with other regional organisations and local stakeholders to help support diverse, inclusive and more equitable communities. It also means redoubling efforts to promote innovation, jobs and enterprise and building on the track record of initiatives, which have helped bring researchers, scientists, engineers, creatives, entrepreneurs and investors together, harnessing the city’s diversity, stimulating more enterprise activity and supporting new business creation, incubation and scale-up. With the University’s excellence in research, commitment to impact, and active and growing innovation programmes, the Bristol innovation ecosystem will continue to flourish, putting our city on the innovation map for the generations to come. University of Bristol

bristol.ac.uk Bristol Business and Partnerships:

bristol.ac.uk/business/research-commercialisation Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

bristol.ac.uk/innovation Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

bristol.ac.uk/temple-quarter-campus Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre

bristol.ac.uk/temple-quarter-campus/qtic 204

National Composites Centre

nccuk.com SETsquared Bristol

setsquared-bristol.co.uk Engine Shed

engine-shed.co.uk Unit DX

sciencecreates.co.uk/incubators

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

At Bath College, we provide innovative training to develop skills, inspire individuals and enrich the wider community. Here, we pursue excellence in all that we do. WHAT WE DO

HOW WE INNOVATE

At Bath College, the dynamism and vibrancy generated by the diverse range of learners working on rich and varied curriculums is at the heart of who we are and our community. Our full time study programmes enable learners from 16 and above to combine their hopes, dreams, aspirations and passions through vocational and academic exploration. The College’s Foundation Learning Programmes are designed to meet a range of needs for learners with special education needs and disabilities as well as those who may have faced social, emotional and mental health barriers to their learning. Our life and independent living skills programme and ‘learning for work’ provision prepare learners on a daily basis for adulthood and employment. Our apprenticeship provision provides learners with opportunities to develop specialist technical skills and vital workplace behaviours within multi national organisations as well as important small and medium sized businesses from a wide range of sectors. Our adult community network provides members of our community the opportunity to upskill, reskill and/or develop the essential knowledge, skill and aptitude for both work and life. We truly believe that everyone has the right to study and learn as further demonstrated by our successful Love to Learn programmes, where students enrol upon exciting short courses for their leisure and further engage and indulge their passions and creativity.

To ensure that our curriculum design and offerings remain innovative and relevant, we seek the input of industry and employers across our region to ensure that what we are delivering is at the heart of what is required. Consequently, learners across courses are able to work alongside employers, freelancers and practitioners within their fields to further enhance their own journey, vocational skills, professional networks whilst directly contributing towards the development of the creative ecology, wider economy and vital services of the city and surrounding areas. As a member of the West of England Institute of Technology, we have come together with other further and higher education providers in the region to deliver practical knowledge and skills for the digital, health, science and engineering workforce of the future. Our higher level training in these areas in particular is being rejuvenated by a full refurbishment to enable learners and employers to collaborate for the benefit of our students and region.

205

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

WHY THE WEST OF ENGLAND? With two campuses, one situated in the heart of the beautiful and historic city of Bath and one close by in Radstock/Westfield, we hold dear the needs of our local and global communities and this remains central to our offerings. Innovative partnerships such as ours with the historic Bath Theatre Royal, Bath and North east Somerset Council, The University of Bath, the West of England Combined Authority and Bath Spa University, significantly enhance the experience and opportunities of our learners and are very important to us. Exciting programmes like our stonemasonry courses tap directly into the cultural heritage of Bath itself. We have been able to further meet the needs of our community and region through the development of our construction centre at our Somer Valley campus as well as our special educational needs & disabilities centre, Wellow House. International students access the college over the summer months to develop their language skills and cultural capabilities. As a proud partner organisation of the University of Bath, Bath College works with International Foundation Year learners to develop the practical skills as well as understanding of key concepts and theories in preparation for higher training or study. Here, we tap into our amazing surroundings and partnerships within the culturally significant city of Bath to provide potentially life changing experiences for learners.

WHAT WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT Now is a transformational time for education and society. We have an incredible opportunity in line with the government’s skills agenda to be central to our region’s economic recovery and prosperity. We are excited about our continued work with employers to map and plan our programmes to meet the needs of our region, industry and learners.

Bath College City Centre Campus Avon Street

info@bathcollege.ac.uk +44 (0) 1225 328720 bathcollege

bathcollege.ac.uk 206

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE ARE POSITIVELY CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES AND ADDING VALUE TO OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) is a Further Education college formed in 2012, following the merger of Filton and Stroud Colleges. SGS has five main campuses – Stroud, Filton, WISE, Berkeley Green and Queens Road – as well as many local community venues, and welcomes around 15,500 full-time, part-time, apprenticeships and higher education students of all ages every year. The College prides itself on providing highquality, innovative education and training that is accessible to all.

department annually nurtures 100s of young people, aged 16-25, into greater independence and employment.

Adding value SGS has been recognised in the Government’s national school and college performance measures for adding value to learners’ achievements by helping them to progress further in their A levels than expected. This means that learners studying A levels at SGS made more progress from their GCSE grades than other learners studying similar subjects across South Gloucestershire and England.

Filling the gaps in traditional education Specialising in engineering, cybersecurity and digital technologies, the Berkeley Green University Technical College (UTC) aids the provision at SGS by blending academic studies with vocational education, unlocking a variety of study and career pathways for young people. Alongside the 16-19 full-time provision, SGS also provide flexible 14-16 options, offering an alternative learning opportunity for both homeeducated and those not succeeding in a mainstream school environment. SGS works closely with local communities and schools to provide the first step towards gaining the confidence and qualifications required to progress in education and industry. With outstanding provision, SGS provides a challenging yet supportive environment that enables their learners to thrive, innovate and adapt to the ever-changing economy. Its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

207

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Degrees on your doorstep

B A T H

As well as supporting employers, SGS help employees who wish to enhance their careers, or decide to take a new direction entirely, by providing part-time professional courses in a variety of subjects and levels to suit the individual. The institution also supports the local community with basic skills programmes and leisure courses for those wishing to try something different.

We have a strong focus on providing university programmes which support the West of England economy, such as art and design, business, computing, education, environment, media, performing arts, sport and public services. SGS placed in the top 10% of all universities and colleges for higher education student employability and further study in England last year. SGS’s university and degree level courses continued their success in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS) achieving 94% overall student satisfaction rate, which is significantly higher than the UK sector average, as well as outperforming in eight categories. This cemented the college’s position in second place for overall higher education student satisfaction in the South West of England.

Bridging the digital divide Innovation is at the forefront of SGS. The College was recently awarded the title of ‘Microsoft Showcase College’ for its unique use of technology integrated into teaching, learning and assessments for all our students. This prestigious title demonstrates the creative and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning and stimulating development of essential life skills, so students are empowered to achieve more.

Growing the workforce in the West of England SGS College supports over 600 employers across the West of England with apprenticeship programmes. This continued growth is a result of the innovative approach and comprehensive support service offered to employers, including a very thorough and extensive recruitment service. Much of the growth is also attributable to the long-term partnerships with key employers, both large and small. These include multi-national businesses, public sector organisations and equally important local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College +44 (0) 800-056-7253 info@sgscol.ac.uk sgscollege sgs_college

sgscol.ac.uk 208

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WESTON COLLEGE IS AN OFSTED OUTSTANDING COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE. The College is at the heart of the community, offering a wide range of education and training to people of all levels, from A Levels to apprenticeships to vocational and technical qualifications, to the unemployed looking to gain new qualifications and training, to learners completing degrees. We support over 30,000 learners to gain new qualifications, upskill and develop their expertise, preparing them for the next stage of their career; we also deliver education in prisons across the South West and South East – making us one of the fastest-growing Further and Higher Education colleges in the UK.

Further Education Awards. Plus, our University Centre Weston was rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, which means that the teaching, learning and opportunities provided are of the highest quality in Britain.

We are proud to be regarded as one of the top FE colleges in the UK and are currently the only Ofsted ‘outstanding’ college in the region, and have previously been commended with ‘College of the Year’ and ‘Overall Training Provider of the Year’ at the Times Educational Supplement

We continue to expand our innovative practice for learners with SEND, providing exceptional support in world-class facilities, to over 1,500 learners. We place empowerment and personalisation at the heart of strategic plans, creating a highly inclusive ethos and culture. This is

Weston College has three main campuses which are full of the latest industry standard facilities, and many other specialist sites of study, including areas for Construction, Animal Management, Health and Professional Services.

209

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

demonstrated through 90% success rates of learners with SEND, exceeding national benchmarks. Partnering with employers is a crucial part of our work, as we jointly work to support growth in the South West and beyond. Our passion for excellence is well renowned by both learners and our extensive employer network. We work closely with businesses to build bespoke training plans, which offers opportunities to people of all levels; this includes sector based work academies and supporting veterans who have left the armed forces. We also deliver educational services to offenders in nineteen prisons across the UK. All staff follow the ethos of creating brighter futures, and we are strong believers in equality, and creating opportunities for people from all walks of life. Our provision is recognised nationally, as we are currently a National Centre of Excellence in both SEND and mathematics. We are also seen as one of the leading lights in the UK for mental health, creating the highly successful Body and Mind initiative, which has won national awards. We are known for our success, with recent accolades such as; the Queen’s Anniversary Prize (for creating world-class facilities and delivering aspirational provision to over 1,000 students requiring additional support) two Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards, Lloyds Bank Employer of the Year, ‘Inclusion in Employment’ Award and the national SEND apprenticeship champions. We are the lead college for the West of England Institute of Technology, which due to the region’s skill needs, will have specific focus on engineering, health and digital. This has included developing the UK’s first ever virtual classroom in Further Education. We offer our learners a great service, which was proven in the National Student Survey, with students awarding us an overall satisfaction score of 93% - well above the average of 84% for all HE providers in the UK.

Weston College +44 (0) 193-441-1411 enquiries@weston.ac.uk westoncollege

weston.ac.uk 210

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

6TH BEST CODING BOOTCAMP IN THE WORLD World-leading From that first small idea, we’ve grown to become a keystone of the Bristol & Bath tech scene. Companies know they can rely on us for fantastic developers whenever they need to expand their tech teams. Our students are taught by professional developers to industry best standards. Our graduates work in tech companies from Bath to Berlin. We’ve been recognised as world leaders in what we do and won awards for our work in the local tech industry. And through our commitment to inclusion and schemes like our Diversitech Fund, we’ve continued helping a wide range of people into tech careers, helping to truly diversify the industry.

iO Academy supports growing tech companies across Bristol, Bath, and the UK with a constant pipeline of talented new software developers. We have a focus on teaching our developers best practice, with real agile project experience, and the most up to date tech skills that companies need right now. We are ranked 6th best coding bootcamp in the world by SwitchUp, and are committed to improving diversity in the industry.

Our story In 2015, iO Academy was set up by Bath-based healthtech company Mayden. Not initially as a business, but as an innovative way to solve a problem. Like so many tech businesses all over the UK, the company needed more developers; but there simply weren’t enough. Not only that, but newcomers to the industry were often lacking the up to date, practical skills that were needed most.

An innovative solution That’s where we came in. As developers ourselves, we knew that lots of people have the potential to be fantastic coders, without even realising it. We also knew that the best tech teams are the ones where people have all types of backgrounds and personalities. So we designed a course that does just that - makes great developers out of raw potential. A course that anyone, regardless of their background, can come out of as the sort of developer that tech companies want to hire. We called it the Full Stack Track. A 16 week long intensive coding course that turns great people into great developers.

211

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Forging new paths iO Academy began because it was something the Bristol & Bath tech industry needed, and our aim is to keep innovating as tech itself grows and changes. We are working on new locations and new modes of delivery. We’re developing new courses in Machine Learning and specialised Front-End. We’re delivering new online courses for LinkedIn Learning. And we’re making sure that whatever the tech industry needs, we’ll be here to support it.

Our developers We work closely with tech companies to plan our curriculum, continually updating and improving. This means what we teach is always current, no matter how fast the tech world changes. Our developers:

are motivated and love learning relish solving problems and making things that work care about contributing and working with others have skills in up to date technology and coding best practice

In short, we train the sort of people you want to have on your team. iO Academy hello@io-academy.uk io-academy IOAcademyUK

We also work with tech companies to create and deliver bespoke internal training courses and workshops for their teams in a range of different languages and skills.

io-academy.uk 212

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Fuelling the next creative generation

TOUCHING THE EARTH LIGHTLY

The Seven Saints of St Paul’s AR tour boomsatsuma is an independent education provider, offering training pathways to people from all backgrounds, aged 16 to degree level, into expanding creative industries.

industry partners across seven centres, with 31 full education staff and around 50 specialists. Courses written and delivered with industry partners give students practical experience and relevant course content to prepare them for a career to best suit their passions and ambitions. boomsatsuma students’ access to creative workplaces inspires them and drives them forward with industry relevant knowledge, skills and experience. For this reason, its full-time diplomas - Creative and Digital Media; Film and Television; Sports Media Production; Games VR & VFX; Professional Acting; Dance – are hosted at dynamic working environments like Engine Shed Digital, Bottle Yard Studios Film and TV Studios and Bristol City Football Club with the Robins Foundation.

Established in 2011, with a background in Community Interest Projects, boomsatsuma has grown to be a creative industry educator maintaining close ties across Bristol community projects. Year on year expansion has been underpinned by consistently high results, with students - drawn from diverse socio-economic areas of Bristol - exceeding national averages. Following the success of level 3 National Diploma courses, 2020 saw the launch of six BA (Hons) degrees, giving extended education pathways into the West Country’s vibrant creative industry sector. Innovative and disruptive have become overused words, but they certainly apply to boomsatsuma, with its decentralised campus model breaking traditional education models. Its learning centres are located with creative

boomsatsuma is an incubator of ideas that empower young people to develop their own creative identities. As an ode to this, in 2020, they

213

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Nancy Medina, co-Artistic Director at Bristol School of Acting created opportunities in education across Bristol for nearly two decades. During the COVID pandemic, staff at boomsatsuma worked tirelessly during the weeks prior to lockdown, providing its students with Apple iMacs and Wi-Fi, delivered and installed in student homes. All students could continue their education via online seminars, with live help from tutors, giving valuable support, and expanding their knowledge despite lockdown. That continued assessment of course work gave meaningful grading, which once again, saw grades come in above national averages. launched six degrees including Documentary Photography & Print; Filmmaking Production and post-Production; Game Art; Game Audio, alongside Bristol School of Acting, where students can study BA (Hons) Acting for Screen and BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen. The conservatoire-style programme was developed with Acting for Film and TV BFA at Pace University, New York and with their patron, actor Charlie Cox. It is run in partnership with Bath Spa University, prestigious The Bottle Yard Studios and TV Studios and Tobacco Factory Theatres, dedicated entirely to cutting edge training in the discipline of screen acting.

At the start of lockdown, with students facing isolation and potentially a lack of stimulation, boomsatsuma initiated an innovative project: managing virtual basketball games for students from Bristol Metropolitan Academy and their oppositions, via live stream gaming platforms. A three-year collaboration with the Iconic Black Britons project also progressed, with students developing an AR tour of the Seven Saints of St Pauls. boomsatsuma pioneered #InBristolYouCan, highlighting Bristol’s flourishing creative industries and the career opportunities for people aspiring to work within film, TV, photography, games, theatre or acting. This became a live street art poster exhibition displaying students’ work.

In 2020, boomsatsuma was the winner of the Diversity in Education award at the Bristol Diversity Awards with judges commending the education provider on ‘showing leadership in promoting and owning the diversity agenda’.

education@boomsatsuma.com +44 (0) 117 942 8429 boomsatsuma

boomsatsuma.education

boomsatsuma has maintained links with marginalised communities and

214

CHAPTER 12

WORK

“Skills can be learnt, culture can be built. Refreshingly, building the correct culture is now at the forefront of managers minds.” — SCOTT MURPHY, HdE TALENT

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

THE PERFORMANCE GROWTH SPECIALISTS

B A T H

Growth at our very core

FOR AMBITIOUS, FAST-GROWING DIGITAL &

Though a relatively young and fresh-faced company, the team’s experience and the impact of HdE AGENCY’s work is far from novice.

TECHNOLOGY BRANDS

Collectively, the team bring years of experience working for, and alongside, some of the world’s largest agencies including WPP, Dentsu, Ogilvy and Saatchi & Saatchi. Ash also brings years of leadership experience working for technology spinouts, giving us a first-hand experience of the challenges associated with early stage and scale-up businesses.

HdE AGENCY is a Bristol-based performance Growth Marketing agency at the heart of Europe’s fastest growing digital technology cluster. We work across a range of leading and emerging digital channels, helping some of the biggest and most ambitious Digi-tech businesses scale, growing their brand, their audience and their profits.

We’ve combined this experience of working with some of the world’s biggest agencies and early stage startups to design a perfectly-packaged service that truly understands and serves the region’s digital and technology demands.

The company was formed in 2019 by founders, Ashley Wheeler and Dale Graham after the pair discovered that innovative and pioneering tech products bought to market often plummeted to an undeserving failure. During their time working as marketing consultants, the pair witnessed, firsthand, the acute challenges faced by technology businesses. It was apparent that there were costly gaps in the ecosystem as a whole, with very few dedicated growth marketing services for the region’s rapidlygrowing tech industry.

In just our first year as an agency, we have generated over $1million in sales and have grown the size of the team fivefold during a global pandemic, three national lockdowns, a myriad of Zoom meetings and through the “Erm, you’re on pause again...” era. Looking to the future, there’s much to be excited about for HdE AGENCY. From smashing performance milestones with clients old and new, to continuing the expansion of HdE GROUP (currently HdE AGENCY and HdE TALENT) to create a thriving ecosystem for growth that will support the region’s digital and technology businesses at every stage of their growth cycle.

And so, HdE AGENCY was born and the journey towards bridging the disconnect between sales and marketing for ambitious technology businesses began.

A true enabler of innovation Unprecedented growth for both our clients and ourselves has remained at the heart of our vision here at HdE AGENCY.

hello@growwithhde.com +44 (0) 117 332 0082 growwithhde / HdE GROUP hde.agency

We aim to not only help businesses grow and prosper through our services, but to also further promote Bristol and the South West as the hub for the digital and technology sector. By helping to scale this burgeoning ecosystem, we aim to attract more inward investment opportunities to the city, creating the perfect environment for future prosperity. We pride ourselves on being a ‘no-fluff’ agency, and this is a reputation we have built amongst our clients off of the back of our strategic and performance-based approach. We leverage a whole spectrum of marketing and business intelligence tools to identify real opportunities for growth. From this, we create winning performance marketing campaigns that garner dramatic results.

217

HdE AGENCY HdE_AGENCY

growwithhde.com/agency

GROWTH AT OUR VERY CORE

We approach recruitment as technologists and marketeers first, having spent months developing a powerful stack that harnesses the latest technology and forming talent attraction techniques to solve some of the toughest hiring challenges.

HdE TALENT are the digital and technology recruitment specialists, working with fast-growth global businesses. We were founded on the ambition to reimagine recruitment, something we demonstrate with our use of cutting edge technology, behavioural science techniques and, most importantly, our application. We are proud to work with some of the biggest and most ambitious Digi-tech businesses in the world, helping our clients accelerate their growth goals by connecting them with the best talent in the space.

Alongside this, we run large-scale marketing campaigns that harness insights and behaviours to discover hidden talent. This approach has also allowed us to execute our mission of not cannibalising the existing technology talent market, but to invest in attracting top talent to the region to support its continued and sustainable growth.

HdE TALENT was born out of HdE AGENCY, forming HdE GROUP.

As the region’s digital and technology cluster continues to expand, we look forward to supporting this growth and innovation by identifying and nurturing world-class technology talent like no other.

The natural extension to the brand, Co-Founders Ash and Dale saw time and time again the pains of fast-growing businesses: the difficulty in discovering that much-needed talent to drive growth further. The idea became a reality when in 2020, Scott Murphy was appointed Managing Director. Scott brought with him over 10 years of extensive recruitment experience, having worked with some of the biggest companies of today including Aon, Lloyds Banking Group, Hitachi, Microsoft and Barclays PLC. On top of his impressive background, Scott also proved to be the perfect addition in fostering the group’s philosophy of accelerating client growth.

Bristol is a big part of our group identity. Not only is it one of the leading tech hubs in the UK, but it’s also a city roaring with inspiration. The ultimate hotbed for creativity and innovation. A place enriched with culture and diversity and a city that dares to be different. A small city that packs a mighty punch.

After spending years watching tech scaleups struggle to onboard skilled talent, Scott knew change was needed within this sector. He sat down and spoke with key industry players about the challenges they were facing and the gaps that needed addressing.

The Engine Shed, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6QH talent@growwithhde.com +44 (0) 117 332 0082 growwithhde / HdE GROUP hde.talent HdE TALENT HdE_TALENT

From this, it was clear a new approach to talent acquisition was required ; one that actually listens to the market and delivers spectacular results. At HdE TALENT, we believe our blended expertise across digital, marketing and recruitment is our superpower.

growwithhde.com/talent

218

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BABBASA IS A BRISTOL-BASED NONPROFIT WHICH SUPPORTS YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LESS ADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS. The Challenge

On the reverse end, we also work with local businesses to develop inclusive working environments which will allow them to not just attract, but also retain staff from a diversity of backgrounds.

While Bristol continues to have one of the UK’s fastest growing economies, not all of Bristol’s citizens have been sharing in the city’s success.

Our Approach

60% of Bristol’s ethnic minority population live in areas of economic disadvantage; two-thirds of whom live in Bristol’s most disadvantaged inner-city wards.

Our approach is strength-based, which means that when we work with young people, we’re first asking them about their natural strengths, how they like to learn, and their dreams, so that we can work with them to achieve their ambitions in a way which caters to what they’re already good at.

Our Ethos Babbasa was formed in 2010 by four young graduates. They chose the name ‘Babbasa’, which is of African origin and means people coming to act as a support bridge for those in need.

We also offer more tailored one-to-one support and career-specific guidance than what is traditionally available, so that young people have a unique third space, outside of their home and school, where they can go for guidance and support.

Babbasa was built on two core values – 1) That no young person should be disadvantaged by their background and,

Achievements

What We Do

We are delighted to have supported over 2,200 young people to date, while working in tandem with over 300 excellent community and referral partners, and over 500 businesses. In 2020, we received a Queen’s Award for our ‘outstanding achievement’ in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

We bridge the gap between Bristol’s more deprived and more affluent areas.

Our Vision

We provide young people with the one to one support, employability skills training, and career-oriented opportunities that they would otherwise be unable to access; allowing them to thrive.

We envision a world where young people living in areas of disadvantage are inspired and able to realise their employment and enterprise ambitions, irrespective of where they live, their nationality, ethnicity, gender, race, sexuality or faith.

2) That every young person has a unique skill or talent which, if explored and nurtured, can advance humanity in a significant way.

219

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A Vision for 2030 At the end of 2019, we took some time to reflect on what we wanted to achieve over the next decade, and we set the ambitious challenge of supporting at least one young person from every inner-city household in Bristol to secure a median salary job by 2030.

You can support our mission in various ways, from being a corporate ambassador or donor, to working with us as a community partner or professional mentor. For more information, visit http://babbasa.com/support-young-people

We believe that achieving this will lift individuals out of poverty, but also, enable them to financially support their families, become role models in their community and contribute to the growth of Bristol’s economy. +44 (0) 117 3290717 communications@byep.org.uk babbasahub

Get Involved We have never worked alone, and we’re looking forward to working with our community partners, employers, young people, and philanthropists, to realise this vision.

220

babbasa.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Supporting Companies to Build a Fairer Future - Gapsquare through the Covid-19 Pandemic Innovation is more important than ever. Supporting employees and ensuring that they feel valued, too, has been essential for companies throughout the pandemic. The two things are tied; nurturing an inclusive and compassionate working environment means that employees can thrive. And that’s where Gapsquare comes in. Gapsquare specialise in people analytics for inclusive employers. Through advanced analytics software, expert consultancy and research services, we support companies across the globe to build inclusive workplaces which benefit all types of employees. Everything from fair pay analytics to helping shape diversity and inclusion strategy falls within our remit. We are intelligently building a world where work is inclusive, where pay meets value and diverse talent thrives. We are based (in our home offices!) in Bristol and work globally to support our clients to build equality and diversity into everything they do. The networks we have made in Bristol - and the clients, mentors and peers we have met here, form a closeknit community we are incredibly proud of. It is through incredible, inspired communities like ours here in Bristol that we’re able to change the world.

221

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

LANDSLIDE SHIFTS TO HOW WE WORK It goes without saying that Covid-19 has changed the way we work beyond comprehension: Remote work; Increased reliability on technology; Balancing home-schooling and work; Furlough, flexi-furlough; Change handling; mass redundancy and unemployment. We’re looking at a completely reimaged future of work. We also now all know how the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities, not only in terms of health impacts. Around 133,000 more women than men were furloughed in the first wave of coronavirus in the UK, according to the Women’s Budget Group. The sector-specific impact of Covid-19 measures, disproportionately impacting those working in hospitality, retail and wholesale for example, has meant redundancies impact those clustered in certain roles - namely women and People of Colour. These inequality booms cannot be carried through into post-Covid future of work. It’s important to look at this and the recovery period as an opportunity for growth, reimagination and innovation - without leaving any demographics behind. Luckily, our incredible roster of clients (from the London Met Police to Accenture), are just as committed to creating positive change as we are, and we’re excited to continue innovating and building fairer workplaces into the future. We at Gapsquare have pushed our innovative ideas to new levels this year, expanding into areas we wouldn’t have otherwise and amplifying the reach of our work. We’re offering consultancy for employers to build flexible working policies into the future. We’re also helping support working parents and carers, and have broadened our offering of support to include changes to business function, now and going forward. At the beginning of the pandemic, people spoke a lot of ‘Pivoting’, but at Gapsquare, we’ve seen this period more as a time of revelation of what we already knew. The weaknesses and vulnerabilities of our economy and how we work, have never been more apparent. In being more apparent, they have become impossible to ignore, and investing in fixing them has become a no brainer. It’s for this reason that we believe that the world is ripe for change, and changemakers, like our team, and like many people in this book, are in the right place to make it happen.

hello@gapsquare.com +44 (0) 117 230 0066 gapsquare

gapsquare.com

222

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Structur3dpeople tech

mentoring

diversity

resourcing

Diversity specialists empowering a new generation of female talent into tech

2020 saw a pandemic disrupt businesses globally, turning them into remote working operations overnight, where technology played its’ biggest role; keeping the world connected. As digital transformed the way we worked, lived and socialised, start-ups accelerated at pace to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges being faced. Technology now forms the foundation of most businesses, where diverse perspectives will be driving innovation to new heights. It has never been more important for businesses to recruit the right talent that will keep them ahead in competitive times, creating a workplace where people feel valued and can thrive to their highest potential. HOW OUR STORY HAS EVOLVED

delivering mentoring programmes, upskilling women and recruiting female talent.

Structur3dpeople is a diversity focused business helping organisations to attract, retain and develop talent. It was founded by Rav Bumbra, following a 20-year career in the tech industry, where she witnessed the low numbers of women working in the industry. Driven by her innate passion to support women, she wanted to drive a solution that would benefit both women and employers and one that would positively influence the gender gap.

2020 gave leaders the opportunity to shift mindsets from diversity and inclusion as being just “a nice to have” to that of “it’s a smart thing to do” The pandemic witnessed the most widespread working from home experiment in history. It opened up our conversations with businesses, to discuss how flexible working increased productivity and could help them seize the moment to attract female talent and consider the many options to engage women into the workforce and progress others to senior levels. Leaders started to realise that 2020 gave them an opportunity to shift mindsets from diversity and inclusion as being just “a nice to have” to that of “it’s a smart thing to do.”

Strategies that are driven from the top down, create the vision of what good looks like, where diversity sits at the core to drive innovation. Our work at Structur3dpeople has concentrated on increasing diversity in the workplace. We are regarded as a specialist and provide a range of services to organisations that include, building diversity strategies,

223

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our social mission provides mentoring and support to empower girls into STEM and women into technology fields across industries At the heart of Structur3dpeople is our social mission; to drive change and increase the number of women working in technology fields across industries. The UK tech sector is booming, creating more jobs than it can fill. However, women still make up less than 20% of the tech workforce in the UK; there simply have not been enough women in the talent pool and as studies continue to evidence the gender gap starts in schools, this pool may get even smaller. So, when 75% of future jobs will involve STEM skills, how can we encourage more girls to see STEM as a suitable career path where they can thrive to their highest level? 90% of the girls we work with want to work in a tech career, 98% want to sit on a board in the future We have spent years talking to women to understand the barriers and challenges they faced when trying to enter and progress in the technology industry. Our work with girls in schools helped us to understand what is holding them back from exploring a career in STEM. Our research led us to develop Cajigo, a mobile learning solution that demystified tech careers and we started to support women of all ages, as well as girls from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds; they could all see their limitless potential in a tech future that is advancing.

When we hear the stories of women working in technology careers, and their route into them, it can spark an interest and empower more to start exploring technology as a suitable career path

Today Cajigo is on a mission to inspire 20,000 schoolgirls into STEM

Our Instagram Live chat show, Women Talk Tech, was born during Lockdown 1.0, providing some inspiration and motivation to uplift women and girls, during difficult times, through the stories of female role models in tech. Hosted by Rav, the show provides an insight into the lives of women working in a variety of fields, and demystifies what it means to be a “woman in tech.”

The pandemic has shown the world that technology leads the future and girls need to know they have a place in this tech future to design, develop, lead and build companies that can solve world problems as well as make our lives easier. With most companies using technology as an integral part of their business, demystifying what digital and technology careers look like across industries is crucial in helping more women to enter and advance in this workforce in the future.

structur3dpeople Today Cajigo is on a mission to inspire 20,000 schoolgirls into STEM. We are excited to empower girls, raise their aspirations and expand the talent pool of future technologists who will be leading the way and passing the elevator back down to help others rise behind them.

224

CajigoApp

structur3dpeople.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The complete predictive people analytics platform for hiring

SARAH THOMPSON

Cognisess provides human resource and recruitment professionals with the data and insights they need to make better informed decisions about their people.

222 Active 18 Inactive

18 Active 2 Inactive

98%

The journey to ethical AI begins with good data collection. Including more than 60 assessments measuring over 120 attributes, it helps you identify, retain and maximise the performance, potential and fit of your talent. Because Cognisess is built on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science and cognitive neuroscience it helps overcome any bias and subjectivity. Bad hires avoided, less employee churn and greater productivity – it helps you better understand the value of your people.

999 99 9 9% % %

Dr Bor is Altem eyer Sara Sm h Cu ithThrr om it ps

hers on Ac Mco anun agtem Man t Ac erco &unta Sales Ad enag London visor nt , GB , GB

London

Ad d dProfi Ad leleSecti Profi onon Secti ss

Meet m

Q: Tell

Identify an individual’s real talents with a comprehensive suite of assessment solutions measuring more than 120 human attributes.

THE COGNISESS PLATFORM CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY INDUSTRY AND SIZE OF BUSINESS.

225

About

us a litt

le bit m

ore ab

out yo

urself

My nam e is Sa rah, an finding d I enjoy ways to meetin help th g new I have em ha people had a va ve an up and riety of lifiting throug custom experie h which er serv nce. I was ab ice oppo ucts an le to ha rtunities d incre ve fewe ased re , r return peat cu ed prod stomer s, when compa red

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

CASE STUDY

B A T H

AB InBev has found that this new process, which sees applying graduates take 12 short neuro-scientific based online games that test social, emotional and cognitive characteristics such as problem solving, career values, wellbeing, risk appetite and control, has not only sped up the process but eliminated different forms of bias and brought in a wider pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds and with different skillsets.

Cognisess + Forward-thinking companies are no longer relying on CVs, recommendations from friends or a plethora of face-to-face interviews to select their annual graduate intake.

... BY IDENTIFYING THESE CAREER TRAITS WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE TYPE OF CANDIDATE WHO WILL THRIVE IN OUR COMPANY AND WANT TO BE CHALLENGED AND PROGRESS.”

Instead, companies like AB InBev, the world’s leading brewer, are working with the Cognisess platform, using artificial intelligence and predictive people analytics to improve their graduate recruitment and retention.

TOON VAN DER VEER, VP OF PEOPLE FOR AB InBev EUROPE

The brewer, which every year takes 120 graduates to its European leadership, sales and supply programmes from a pool of around 14,000, has eliminated CVs, written tests and skills-based interviews to make way for cognitive online gamified assessments and strengths-based interviews.

AB InBev uses the Cognisess platform as part of its wider hiring process, which also involves a strengths-based video interview, interactive day of group games and oneon-one interviews and a final panel interview.

It’s not just employers who can take a data-driven approach to hiring... ...it’s important that if a candidate is unsuccessful in a particular process, they have the data and tools to understand themselves better afterwards. So many talented people can be wasted in roles or organisations that aren’t suited to them. My hope is that taking an objective, science-based approach can help both companies and candidates make better decisions that benefit the workforce in the long term.”

CHRIS BUTT, CEO, COGNISESS

enquiries@cognisess.com facebook.com/cognisess @cognisess linkedin.com/company/cognisess-ltd/ youtube.com/cognisess

cognisess.com 226

TH EF UT UR EO FH IRI NG

COGNISESS LTD

“It takes a city to raise a start-up.” — HARRY DESTECROIX, CEO

CHAPTER 13

INNOVATION ENABLERS

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP ESTABLISH BRISTOL AS A GLOBAL CENTRE FOR DEEP TECH.

Dr Harry Destecroix, CEO at Science Creates Incubators and General Partner at Science Creates Ventures

Most of the world’s important innovations have come from a handful of cities. Deep tech start-ups require an enormous amount of external support from the city post-discovery. This could include access to R&D space and state of the art equipment, legal and sector-specific business support and venture capital that is ready to back ambitious, important technologies for the long term. We think Bristol is starting to show all these ingredients.

229

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

With everyone across the city working together, it’s uniquely positioned to become a global player in deep tech over the next ten years.

B A T H

Our story started in 2017 when we opened our first incubator in St Phillips, close to Bristol Temple Meads train station. With rapid growth in the deep tech sector, by 2019 it was full, and our members were asking for more lab space. The increased demand highlighted the need to expand our structured support and start a venture capital fund, aiming to improve access to investment for Bristol’s deep tech sector. Science Creates is the resulting ecosystem that encompasses our incubators, network and funding.

This is why we founded Science Creates: a deep tech ecosystem, supported and backed by successful entrepreneurs, working with the city and our partners to make this vision a reality. In partnership with the University of Bristol, we aim to provide better healthcare, a cleaner environment, and an improved quality of life for everyone; achieved by supporting scientists to take discoveries off the shelf and into the real world.

We are the scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors, and we understand what it takes to harness the power of Bristol’s unique position and potential.

We are driven to make this happen because we cannot be complacent in finding, developing and delivering key technologies that the world still needs.

MEMBER CASE STUDY ANAPHITE “We had a patent, but ultimately we were just an idea, and a bit of passion. Although those are the required initial conditions of any great venture, SC provided the steppingstone to de-risk the first jump into commercialisation.”

fight by making as many batteries as possible as good as possible, with our scalable and inexpensive chemical processes.” “Science Creates’ mission aligns with ours. We want Bristol to become the UK’s hub for deep tech innovation and we want to be one of the posterchild companies to help the effort as we grow. Science Creates want to provide a platform for companies to come together and work on solving the world’s existential problems, such as climate change.”

“We have been in the Science Creates incubator since mid 2018. The lab space has allowed us to develop our technology rapidly and the network through SC has been crucial to raising early investment.” “At Anaphite, we really care about moving the world to sustainable energy to stop it being devastated by climate change. We want to be part of this

Sam Burrow, CEO, Anaphite

230

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FROM DISCOVERIES TO INVENTIONS. A NOTE FROM SCIENCE CREATES FOUNDER, DR HARRY DESTECROIX.

Towards the end of 2020 we announced the launch of Science Creates; the new ecosystem that will drive deep tech forwards in Bristol. It will provide the incubators, network and investment needed to allow the sector to expand on the rapid growth of the last five years through three clear channels: 1. Science Creates Incubators Our first incubator continues to thrive and we look forward to opening our second location in 2021. The new site in Old Market, Bristol will be a 30,000 sq ft scaleupspace, which will provide larger laboratories, a dedicated event space and private offices. All members will have access to both sites, and support from our specialist in-house team who design, develop and run our incubators. We coordinate with our network to provide the mentoring, expertise and the resources needed for deep tech innovation and business development.

In this new phase, we will work in closer partnership with the University of Bristol, to grow the deep tech ecosystem within the city. The University of Bristol and Research England have invested in this expansion. University spin-outs form a major part of our membership base and the research pipeline that will become the next market-defining innovations. This partnership will continue to allow our members access to the University’s world-class instrumentation suites, analytical services and network of academics.

2. Science Creates Network Our Network is made up of our member deep tech companies and our strong partnerships with local academic institutions, government, entrepreneurs, investors and strategic service providers.

Our in-house Incubators team will support our member deep tech companies at the various stages of their journey, by connecting their teams with expertise, insight and resources. We provide connections with mentors, who are experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and academic institutions who provide access to world class research, equipment and talent. We also work with strategic delivery partners to provide a host of services from legal and financial, to patent and grant writing support. The breadth and depth of these circles of expertise will continue to grow, creating a connected community of support.

3. Science Creates Ventures With the growth of our ecosystem, we identified the need for investment to help companies scale up. This is why we launched Science Creates Ventures, to deliver mould-breaking investment funds. Science Creates Ventures EIS Fund 1, which launched in 2020, focuses on deep tech start-ups at pre-seed and seed levels. The fund will provide essential funding to the region and help ambitious companies in a variety of sectors including therapeutics, diagnostics, advanced materials, hardware and software.

Run exclusively by proven founders who combine deep technical knowledge with extensive commercialisation expertise. Science Creates Ventures will invest in technologies that have the potential to improve healthcare, quality of life, and the environment around us.

231

Science Creates Outreach Underpinning all of our work is our outreach programme, and to date, we have had 1,500 schoolchildren attend these workshops. We create a unique learning environment with immersive tours, hands-on workshops and interactive lessons with scientists. This will expand with a dedicated outreach lab space at our new incubator, which means that once the building is full, we will still have a space to welcome local learners. Dr Harry Destecroix, CEO at Science Creates Incubators and General Partner at Science Creates Ventures

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Science Creates +44 (0) 117 403 4035 info@sciencecreates.co.uk ScienceCreates

sciencecreates.co.uk 232

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

AN INNOVATION CENTRE FOR START-UPS AND HIGH-GROWTH COMPANIES

Our Mission The Future Space mission is to power innovation in the region by providing an environment that supports high-tech, science-based entrepreneurs and innovators to grow.

Future Space and other innovation centres, accelerators and coworking facilities are critical in this system, providing workspace and facilities, business support and guidance, and valuable connections. We are here to help businesses grow, to enable innovation and the creation of new products and services that will shape the world in which we live.

Future Space is an innovation centre for start-ups and high-growth companies. Based on the University of the West of England’s (UWE Bristol) Frenchay campus, within the University Enterprise Zone, the centre offers a range of office space, laboratories, workshops, and coworking facilities designed specifically for high-tech, science-based entrepreneurs and innovators.

Our Approach In recent years we have seen Future Space residents developing cutting edge technologies, such as 3D-printed prosthetic limbs (Open Bionics), the world’s first cultivated pork belly and bacon (Higher Steaks), and first of a kind filters to prevent microplastics entering our water systems (Inheriting Earth).

Future Space is managed by Oxford Innovation, the UK’s largest operator of innovation centres, and manages a growing network of over 25 innovation centres in the UK.

Future Space supports a range of activity, with the flexibility for businesses to follow their growth journey. For example, early-stage businesses can start with a Connected membership, hotdesking in the shared spaces, then as the need develops there is the option to take a permanent desk, take a bench in a shared lab or workshop, and grow into dedicated office space, labs and workshops. We believe that this multi-faceted approach is key for business growth, our continued success, and the evolution of the coworking space.

Specialist facilities and links to leading University research and funding schemes, as well as on-site business support, is part of our model to give entrepreneurs and companies access to exciting opportunities for collaboration and growth. New ideas and innovation are key to solving the greatest global challenges we face, from climate change and sustainability, to ageing populations and health. The Bristol Ecosystem is a vast support system helping entrepreneurs and innovators to do their best work.

233

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SUPPORTING HIGH-TECH, SCIENCE-BASED ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS TO DO THEIR BEST WORK

“This year we have seen massive changes to the way that we all have to work, with much more emphasis on flexibility. This has been coupled with huge uncertainty. As an innovation centre and coworking space, we have a responsibility to help our customers navigate these challenges and find new ways to support their growth.”

Join us With an on-site community of nearly 300 people working in c.50 resident companies, as well as new virtual members, this is a dynamic and fastgrowing environment. Get in touch with the team to find out how we can support your growth journey.

— Laura Crocken Stevens – Centre Director at Future Space.

“We are constantly evolving to the changing landscape and demands of the ecosystem – right now that is being realised through the creation of more flexible options for entrepreneurs and businesses, from new virtual membership options and a new member website, to an entirely virtual inresidence advisory programme. I’m sure there are even more exciting things to come.” – Aimee Skinner – Innovation Manager at Future Space.

Future Space North Gate (UWE), Filton Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8RB +44 (0) 0117-428-0200 info@futurespacebristol.co.uk

234

futurespacebristol Future_Space_ future-space-bristol

futurespacebristol.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

In addition to its world-leading research and teaching activities, Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) sits at the heart of the region’s thriving robotics sector, offering businesses and entrepreneurs a range of start-up, growth, innovation, training and talent development solutions. Its Hardware Incubator and Robotics Innovation Facility have hosted and supported some of Bristol and Bath’s most successful tech enterprises.

B A T H

unique combination of space, mentoring and technical resources. Similarly, the fact that businesses of all shapes and sizes face challenges in adopting, deploying and operating automation technologies, directly informs the work of BRL’s Robotics Innovation Facility (RIFBristol). Between them, these two initiatives are helping to ensure that the West of England remains at the forefront of robotics and tech innovation, and that businesses operating across key sectors – from advanced engineering and manufacturing, to healthcare and the creative/digital industries – are able to exploit the opportunities this presents.

“Hardware is hard” and “start-ups that make things need support” – two statements that inform the ethos of BRL’s Hardware Incubator and its

235

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Left: Residents of the BRL Hardware Incubator access a dynamic community of innovators, and benefit from tailored business and technical support. Above: In recent months, BRL’s Robotics Innovation Facility has provided more than 60 businesses with introductory training in industrial robotics .

BRL’s Hardware Incubator has a track record of helping companies and innovators to grow, secure investment and progress from desktop prototypes to batch and mass production. Its start-ups have access to an inspiring space and join a community of hardware experts, with dedicated desks, a FabLab and a supportive mentoring programme. Several alumni feature in this publication, including Elumotion, Service Robotics, Open Bionics, Consequential Robotics, HomeLINK and Perceptual Robotics and CENTAUR Robotics.

•

£46M GVA contributed to the UK economy

•

235 new jobs created by supported enterprises

•

£20M investment secured by Incubator clients

•

650+ businesses received training or research assistance

Growing a hardware business is challenging, with tooling issues and economies of scale needing to be addressed, and multi-disciplinary approaches being adopted. The BRL Hardware Incubator team, led by its Incubation Manager – winner of the SPARKies 2020 ‘Best Mentor Award’ – understands these barriers and helps its residents to overcome them. RIFBristol provides training, consultancy, proof-of-concept and research solutions to a range of businesses – from start-ups to large multinationals. Recognised as a European Digital Innovation Hub, it maintains an array of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and has expertise spanning robotics, automation, mechanical and electronic engineering, IoT/5G, mechatronics and simulation. From introductory robotics courses, to prototyping and new product validation, its services help clients to overcome innovation challenges and stand out from their competitors.

Bristolrobotlab BristolRoboticsLab

bristolroboticslab.com 236

Info@brl.ac.uk +44 (0) 117 3286913 Bristol Robotics Laboratory T-Block University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) Frenchay Campus Coldharbour Lane Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

SETSQUARED BRISTOL IS A WORLD-LEADING TECH INCUBATOR WHICH EXISTS TO HELP TECH FOUNDERS WHO WANT TO HAVE AN IMPACT IN THE WORLD.

Since launching in 2002, SETsquared Bristol’s 270 members have raised a combined half a billion pounds. This significant amount of investment has contributed to Bristol being named the ‘third top UK city for investment’ and one of ‘Europe’s top scaling tech cities’ (Tech Nation Report).

As the largest centre in the Partnership, SETsquared Bristol has over 80 member companies at any one time, both resident and virtual. Its members come from its parent company, the University of Bristol, and from outside the University, across over 25 different sectors.

In 2020 SETsquared Bristol was named ‘Hottest Accelerator in Europe’ by The Europas, beating big London and European players to put the regional brand on the European stage.

THE PROGRAMME SETsquared Bristol is proud to support technology that changes the world. Its founders drive this change across four key parts of their business (product, market, organisation and funding) which are the cornerstones of the incubation programme. The programme is shaped to help tech founders succeed based on three founding principles:

ABOUT SETSQUARED BRISTOL SETsquared Bristol is part of the SETsquared Partnership, an enterprise between the five-leading research-led UK universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. The Partnership is ranked the Global Number 1 University Business Incubator for its wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes.

Bespoke SETsquared Bristol provides targeted support to their members when they need it, rather than requiring them to follow a strict, structured process. Founders benefit from bespoke business support including 1:1 sessions with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, business review panels, mentoring, and support with raising finance and investment.

237

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Boundaryless Under Centre Director, Monika Radclyffe, SETsquared Bristol has carried out diversity research reports which have led to the creation of two programmes; ‘Breakthrough Bursary’ for BAME start ups and ‘Enterprising Women’ supported by NatWest. It is proud that its members’ CEOs and founders are made up of 45% women and 23% BAME but recognises there is more to do. The move to virtual service provision in 2020 has enabled SETsquared Bristol to extend its services to new members beyond the South West to the whole of the UK, providing more welcome opportunities for sector and geography diversity.

Brilliance SETsquared Bristol strives for brilliance to give its founders the best support to enable success. This is evidenced by the fact that its members are four times more likely to survive after 3 years than the average UK start up.

HOW TO ENTER SETsquared Bristol accepts tech companies from any background or sector with high commercial growth or impact potential who are seeking outside support and advice that will help accelerate their company to market.

UNIVERSITY EXPERTISE In addition to a strong investor and start up community network, SETsquared Bristol adds value to its members through its strong links with the University of Bristol’s research and enterprise expertise, including research consultancies, placements, research commercialisation, and licensing opportunities, providing a fertile environment to support growth.

TESTIMONIALS

They’ve provided everything we need from a home: support, advice, connections, guidance and training.” — Steve Cliffe, CEO, Ultraleap

SUCCESSES

SETsquared is very supportive of diverse businesses. If we hadn’t set up the company in Bristol with its supportive ecosystem, I don’t know if we would have been where we are right now.”

Successes include alumnus Ultraleap, a hand tracking and haptics company predicted to be the next Bristol unicorn, LettUs Grow, who has recently raised over £3 million for their vertical and indoor farming technology, and Neighbourly, a multi award-winning CSR platform with worldwide partnerships including Aldi, M&S and Starbucks.

— Zara Nanu, CEO, Gapsquare

WHAT NEXT? In response to the pandemic, SETsquared Bristol is working with partners to support and promote tech sectors which are the most significant to global recovery. Its intention is to develop new incubation cohorts including quantum, net zero, healthtech and financial inclusion in collaboration with the University of Bristol.

SETsquared Bristol Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol. BS1 6QH bristol@setsquared.co.uk

238

+44 (0) 117 903 1100 SETsquared_Br setsquared-bristol

setsquared-bristol.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The SETsquared Bath Innovation Centre is in the heart of the city near the main transport hubs. We offer workspace, business acceleration and inspiration for high-growth companies and the entrepreneurs that create them. Our business acceleration programmes include mentoring, training programmes and access to investors.

Office For A Day

Zoom Deck Acoustic Pods

Our flagship Virtual Accelerator Membership Programme is designed and delivered to member companies through a bespoke support package of benefits with the aim of building resilient, investable high growth businesses. Our start-up companies operate at an impressive 90%+ survival rate, enabling sustainable growth and high-value investment opportunities in building globally scalable companies from the ground up.

metal knee joints and even whole buildings; and the five largest publicly traded companies in the world are all tech firms. In 2001 only Microsoft and Intel made it into the top ten. In that time, the Bath Innovation Centre has grown to become a key component of the renowned SETsquared Partnership offering worldleading incubation support services, enterprise activities and access to investment networks. We have helped over 1,000 start-ups raise more than £1bn of investment. Our three ERDF-funded Business Acceleration Hubs are working to accelerate 360 early stage Digital, Advanced Engineering and Sustainable Tech businesses over three years.

2021 will usher in the 20th year of operation of the Bath Innovation Centre. Since its foundation in a year that was a byword for the future but became the year 9/11 entered the lexicon, the web has grown from just under 30m websites to over 1.8bn; mobile phones have improved from 2G GPRS to the launch of 5G and virtual reality; 3D Printing produces bespoke

239

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

PIONEERING SPIRIT We support entrepreneurs leading knowledge-based innovative or disruptive technology ventures with high commercial growth potential. You don’t need a connection with the University of Bath or indeed any of the partner SETsquared Universities but we do also help spin-outs, research commercialisation opportunities and collaborations and our student enterprise activities help nurture tomorrow’s pioneers. We’re also pioneering the way that incubation is delivered, reimagining our approach for a post-Covid landscape where support is bite-size, virtual and on-demand. There will still be a need for physical spaces such as our Office-for-a-Day strategy/sprint venues or our Zoom Deck: a series of acoustic pods that act as mini broadcast studios or just as great comfortable, easy-to-book, quiet places to catch up for our residential or virtual members.

TESTIMONIALS

The first Tech Start-up I was involved with was before SETsquared existed. Now running a company with the support of SETsquared I have experienced first-hand the huge difference they make.” — Nick East, Founder, Zynstra - acquired by NCR for £100m in 2019

The team we assembled based on the very valuable ecosystem and infrastructure around SETsquared was mission-critical in winning investment funding from Innovate UK.” — Ken Garner, CEO, Airway Medical - successfully raised £250k grant in 2020

240

SETsquared Bath University of Bath Innovation Centre Broad Quay, Bath BA1 1UD +44 (0) 1225 388711 innovation-centre@bath.ac.uk SETsquaredBath

bath-setsquared.co.uk

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

ENABLING A WORLD LEADING ECOSYSTEM OF ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND.

Each city has its own set of unique, distinct features. Engine Shed, the enabler of exciting creative collisions and connections, is one such Bristol landmark, both physical and virtual.

Bristol, TechSPARK, Boomsatsuma, One Big Circle and GW4. At the same time, Engine Shed runs projects that deliver on growth, inclusion and innovation.

A partnership led by the University of Bristol with Bristol City Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Engine Shed is an enterprise hub where businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, social innovators and corporates collaborate. Engine Shed showcases the strengths and innovations of the region by providing space, creating encounters and running projects that inspire, enable and challenge us all.

Each year, some 30,000 people visit Engine Shed for events and meetings and there are 1,200 events including conferences and formal dinners. Over 60 partners work with Engine Shed to deliver positive social and economic benefit and the organisation has 19 growth, inclusion and innovation projects that are underway at the moment. To inform the projects, Engine Shed’s community ‘cluster-building’ activities helps the team to reinforce the strength, depth and breadth of Bristol and the West of England locally, nationally and internationally.

Engine Shed’s vision is for the region to be a growing economy that is inclusive, sustainable and that benefits everyone who lives here, and is recognised internationally as innovative and dynamic. To achieve this, it innovates, seeds activity and connects people to drive inclusive economic activity across sectors.

Successful projects include the Investment Activator Programme, In-Residence advisory services, Entrepreneurial Outreach, Diverse Workforce for the Future and the Bristol Technology Festival. Engine Shed also plays host to numerous trade missions, UK Government Minister announcements and Royal visits, as well as school children, students, visiting academics and social enterprise organisations.

Engine Shed’s purpose is two-fold. As a place, it is an event venue, provider of office accommodation and meeting rooms, and a coworking space with a members’ business lounge. Tenants include SETsquared

241

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

In 2021, Engine Shed is looking to scale up its activity as part of the wider ambitions between the University of Bristol and a broad range of city partners to build a world leading ecosystem of enterprise and innovation.

B A T H

To see how your business or organisation can become part of Bristol’s future economic success, get in touch.

Its focus continues to be on brokering effective partnerships and collaborations that will support economic growth in the region that is sustainable and inclusive. High on the agenda are exploring new opportunities to support a broader range of new entrepreneurs and launching new sector specific incubation programmes which bring together our regional strengths in technology, the creative sector and social enterprise.

Station Approach Temple Meads Bristol BS1 6QH +44 (0) 117 903 1100

These developments will also be the seed of a range of activities which have the potential to scale up again with the future opening of the University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

EngineShed_BB engineshedbristol engine_shed engine-shed

Hugh Brady, Vice Chancellor, University of Bristol, has this to say about the city’s enterprise hub: “At its heart, Engine Shed is a vibrant, neutral space that serves the city region in a really interesting match making role.”

engine-shed.co.uk 242

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE NATWEST ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME, HAS SUPPORTED 1000’s OF BUSINESSES ACROSS THE UK TO START, SCALE AND SUCCEED THROUGH THEIR PHYSICAL HUB SPACES AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES

Our story

You can always find a reason not to follow your dreams and launch the business you fall asleep thinking about every night.

For the last five years the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme, has supported 1000’s of businesses across the UK to start, scale and succeed through their physical hub spaces and thriving communities. With the pandemic pausing all physical support, the accelerator went digital in 2020 to keep supporting start-ups and scale-ups across the UK during lockdown. Sign-ups to the free accelerator have been as huge as ever, with today’s generation of innovators and pioneers taking that all-important step to find success with the support of NatWest.

Lockdown has just fuelled the excuses... For those determined to break the mould however, the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator provides an opportunity to turn a dream into reality.

243

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

One of the new ways in which the bank is helping entrepreneurs at all stages of their business is Business Builder – a free digital platform that has been designed to give you the right support, at the right time for you and your business. Whether you are looking to validate an idea, find new customers, or explore the funding options available to you, there is support available online, 24/7, through the platform, including: Digital modules taking you through the essential building blocks to help you and your business move forward. An online Facebook community of 100s of peers to collaborate with and support you through your entrepreneurial journey. And wrap around events to surround you with the right people and knowledge that could take your business from good to great. Continuing its trend of innovation, in 2021 NatWest launched additional accelerators for High Growth, Climate, Fintech and Purpose Led businesses with additional support provided by NatWest’s national programme partners. These include but are not limited to:Dell Technologies, Pinsent Masons, Equifax, FreeAgent and Hiscox. Like all of NatWest’s entrepreneurial support, the High Growth, Climate, Fintech and Purpose Led Accelerators are all fully funded by the bank with no requirements to give-up equity in your business. The only aim is to ensure entrepreneurs have the best chance to succeed. “This is what drives us as an entrepreneurial team,” says Olly Reid, Scale Acceleration Manager at NatWest. We want to encourage entrepreneurs to succeed, whether that’s someone with an idea they want to launch or a CEO of a wellestablished company that wants to grow further. We have the expertise, hunger and opportunities here to help entrepreneurs achieve both local and global success, and them achieving their ambition is what fills us with pride. So now really is the time to start, scale and succeed with NatWest. Maybe 2021 will be the year your dream becomes a reality.

CollectEco

Collecteco partners with businesses across the UK to donate furniture, equipment and materials to charities, schools, NHS Trusts and other not for profit organisations. “Being part of the community has bolstered both my confidence and focus. Increased focus has made me realise that in the past I have been guilty of being a busy fool. Improved confidence has made me aim higher and believe in the future of Collecteco, developing a clear vision to help guide the team and focus our sales activity. I joined the programme as a reluctant leader, but I am now enjoying the challenge/prospect as we grow.” —Steve Sliney – MD – Collecteco

Zero Green

“Zero Green was born from our shared desire to reform the shopping experience from plastic-dependence to plastic-free” “The community has allowed both of us to act on our passions and scale with strategy. We now don’t fear spontaneity, as planning allows us to know how we can pivot if it doesn’t work. We both agree that its crucial to listen to other people, especially when you get stuck in your own thoughts. We have now become much better at outsourcing talent. On balance, our top tip would be to be open to change, different can be good”. — Stacey Fordham and Lidia Losada - Zero Green

NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator accelerator@natwest.com

natwest-business NatWestBusiness

natwest.com natwestbusinessbuilder.com 244

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BUILDING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE THAT IMPROVES THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

1. Genuine Innovation - Our projects are “greenfield” developments which use technology in new and innovative ways, often disrupting established industries. We regularly work with startups and scaleups looking to shake up a sector, but increasingly we work with established players who want to stay at the top through innovation and scale.

It’s hard for us to believe, but the Rocketmakers team (www.rocketmakers.com) has been at the heart of the Bristol and Bath startup scene for well over a decade now. Our vision from the very start has been to bring the latest and greatest technologies together with passionate startup and scaleup founders to make amazing products that improve the world we live in. There is no typical Rocketmakers client - we work with everyone from large organisations to early stage startup founders - but there is definitely a typical Rocketmakers project. The three things which get us excited most are:

2. Quality Software Architecture - We love pushing the boundaries of what is possible with software, especially when it comes to making technology secure, scalable, and “future proof.” Our first class design team ensures that all of our projects look beautiful and respond to user behaviours, and we are just as concerned with lowering running costs and optimising server-side architecture. 245

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

3. Making the World a Better Place - Whenever possible we love working on projects which use technology to foster good mental health, support local communities, make healthcare more effective, or promote green energy use. Our goal is for fifty million people worldwide to benefit from Rocketmakers’ technology by 2030!

B A T H

Artesia - We helped water utility data provider Artesia deploy their system for predicting water pipe leaks on a highly cost-effective cloud server which saved them money without any loss in effectiveness. Sero - Sero is an innovative energy company and home builder. Still in testing, the Sero system that we have built combines cutting edge solar panels, highly efficient batteries, and off-peak energy purchases to provide customers with market-busting prices while at the same time helping save the planet.

In reality not every project we work on ticks all three boxes on our list, but many do. Innovations that we’ve been involved with recently include: Pure Planet - We built and maintain the software for this app-based provider of green energy and carbon-offset gas. The English Institute of Sport (EIS) - We built a new, highly secure medical records system for Britain’s elite sports programmes in partnership with the EIS. The system goes far beyond just recording information, however, and helps coaches and support medical staff plan injury recoveries, and possibly even prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. As the system gathers more data, we hope it will provide insight into new medical treatments for everyone.

Rocketmakers firstcontact@rocketmakers.com rocketmakers

rocketmakers.com 246

FROM DESIGN THINKING TO DESIGN DOING: INTRODUCING THE INNOVATION KIT Newicon is a design led software house with the mission to help businesses and entrepreneurs to develop products and services that will create a better tomorrow. As innovators, we are always challenging ourselves to develop products that can help to shape a future where talent, creativity and innovation can thrive. We are passionate about sharing our expertise and we want other teams to feel the excitement and energy we feel when we work with clients to unlock their creativity and innovation. So we decided that the best way to achieve this was by creating a simple and flexible system that could be used not only by designers, but by students, business leaders, product owners, developers and any team member inside an organisation. After more than two years with dozens of meetings and countless trials, we have launched the Innovation Kit!

INNOVATION MADE ACCESSIBLE

A complete system, born out of proven design-thinking methodologies, viewed through the lens of modern Lean and Agile practices, and forged through 14 years of real experience and testing.

The Kit has been designed to allow companies and organisations of any size, to run innovation workshops to generate ideas and identify problems that need to be solved. All the exercises have been created to encourage participants to think creatively and to find opportunities and potential solutions from different perspectives. The Innovation Kit consists of four sessions with practical exercises, prompt cards and a facilitator’s guide, all available as downloadable Miro, Figma and PDF worksheets to be used remotely or in person. Each Innovation Workshop is a journey starting with exploring problems, defining people’s goals and frustrations, and then finally visualising potential solutions.

247

Newicon’s approach to design thinking and innovation is the ideal partner for our new curriculum.” — Lisa Brodic, Head of the School of Engineering at UWE Bristol

“Newicon’s approach to design thinking and innovation is the ideal partner for our new curriculum.” Lisa Brodie / Head of the School of Engineering at UWE Bristol

ALL THIS IN JUST ONE DAY! The Innovation Kit can be used by any team members inside of an organisation — CEOs, managers, product developers, designers, marketing teams — to work through their biggest challenges; from customer experience, operations, sales and marketing through to people and communication challenges.

Get all you need to start your innovation journey at https://newicon.net/ innovation-kit And sign up to our newsletter to get updates, previews and free templates. If you want to learn more about how Newicon can help your business, then get in touch with us at talktous@newicon.net

And of course to develop products, both physical and digital! We believe innovation should be part of the culture of every organisation and with the Innovation Kit, teams can run innovation workshops themselves anytime and anywhere without an external consultant or agency.

talktous@newicon.net

+44 (0) 117 205 0425

And this is only the beginning, as we are creating new content that will help companies to go through the entire innovation process, from ideation to design and prototyping, user research techniques, branding and marketing strategies and more.

linkedin.com/company/newicon twitter.com/newicon facebook.com/newiconltd

Be part of this new way to innovate with our easy to use and jargon-free innovation tool.

newicon.net 248

Powering a sustainable future. Solverboard is the only innovation management platform focused on delivering sustainable innovation.

The world is changing rapidly. Innovation is no longer an option, it is a necessity.

In fact, more than 90% of all innovation projects fail, costing trillions. Why?

Solving global challenges and creating a sustainable future is the biggest task of our generation. The sustainable development goals are our universal call-to-action. To step up, businesses are adopting new mindsets, building new business models, and developing disruptive technologies.

While building Solverboard, we spoke to more than 100 enterprise innovation professionals to try and understand why this was happening. We identified three root causes of innovation failure.

In the industries that are quick to respond, economic growth is happening faster than ever. SDG-related market opportunities are forecast to be worth at least 12 trillion a year in revenue and savings by 2030, and will generate at least 380 million jobs.* Around the world, breakthrough innovators are creating positive impact at scale. For those looking to catch up, incremental changes are no longer sufficient. Exponential challenges demand exponential solutions. The stakes are high. Yet most businesses are not ready to seize these opportunities.

Lack of methodology Innovation processes are inconsistent, fragmented and poorly-defined. Lack of measurement Because innovation isn’t properly defined, it’s also hard to measure. Lack of alignment This lack of consistency and measurement means that innovation isn’t seen as integral to the day-to-day business. When it does happen, it’s often in the form of ‘hackathons’ or ‘sprints’ that rarely deliver long-term, strategic progress.

249

What our users really needed was an end-toend solution with reporting functionality that could showcase the value of innovation projects to their stakeholders. So that’s what we built. Solverboard is the only all-in-one platform for enterprise innovators that brings together business strategy, idea generation, validation, and project management into a single workflow. Innovation is not a buzzword, it’s a community Solverboard has been built directly for the people on the frontline, delivering innovation every day. Innovation managers, change leaders and transformation directors have provided feedback throughout its development. And we haven’t stopped there. If Solverboard is truly going to help meet the challenges that face our generation and the generations to come, we must help each other to overcome the blockers that are stopping us from innovating.

Our annual Innovation Blockers Report highlights the challenges that our community is facing, and offers practical advice from innovation experts on how to overcome these. From fear of failure to gaining buy-in from leadership, our experts share what works - and what doesn’t - so that businesses can create the right culture for change. Collaboration and a shared understanding of what innovation is trying to achieve is often the key to getting it right. That’s why we’ve helped to create the Bristol Innovators’ Group, which is also featured in this book, and we started a weekly meet up for our community when Covid-19 hit, called Mothers of Invention. These were so popular that we turned a few of them into podcasts so that everyone can learn from the support and advice that’s shared. Now we’re looking to celebrate the everyday change-makers who are leading innovation through our first Standing Ovation campaign. Anyone can nominate an innovator they know for an award.

Whatever the innovation – whether its new technologies, or new ways of working – ultimately, we must use these opportunities to become more sustainable and change how the world works.

If we get it right, everyone wins.

*Source: Business and Sustainable Development Commission

250

solverboard.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Connect. Learn. Do.

Mobilising a network of 500 innovators from organisations across Bristol, all willing to contribute ideas and develop solutions to the challenges that matter right now. Innovation as a future-skill The International Standards Office, in Geneva, has recently released an innovation standard, reflecting the growing interest from organisations in developing sustainable innovation approaches. The demand for innovation skills is also on the rise - organisations want their people to develop ideas and turn them into value in the form of new products, services, processes and business models. This requires creativity and collaboration, both of which are notoriously difficult for artificial intelligence to provide. Innovation skills are likely to remain human skills. You just need to read “The Human Edge” by Greg Orme to realise that these capabilities are a good bet for our future employability.

Bristol Innovators’ Group (BIG) is a cross-sectoral network, founded in 2019 with a vision to connect and educate a community of innovators and change-makers in our City. Since then we‘ve grown to almost 500 members. Our network members come from public, private and third sector organisations, start-ups, SMEs, councils and large corporates. We run events and facilitate groups that bring these people together to work on initiatives that improve social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

251

I N N O V A T E

The importance of BIG

B R I S T O L

B A T H

It was great to be so warmly welcomed by the Bristol Innovators’ Group. We talked through the ideas in my book - Be Less Zombie - and had a rich discussion on how to apply these in organisations and cities.”

BIG brings the reach to connect people beyond the boundary of their sector. From our beginning, we designed the network to bring diversity and inclusion into the process of innovation. We still have a journey to go on, but we believe Bristol and the wider region can benefit from groups like ours to help solve the challenges of now and the future, such as housing, economic regeneration, life-long learning and sustainability. These challenges extend beyond the capabilities of single organisations, and need collaboration across sectors.

We run these events on digital platforms, including zoom and teams, and even dabbled in a unique conferencing tech called Remo. We have fully embraced the Miro tool for idea generation, co-creation of content, and live interaction. Whether our events are online, in-person or hybrid, these tools are vital to our ongoing strategy to get people fully involved.

With our members, we’ve worked to identify shared challenges, develop our purpose, and get people involved in meaningful initiatives. These have become the three core threads to our group - Connect. Learn. Do.

Connect

Our members want to apply their talents to make lives better in Bristol. The serendipitous connections that were enabled through our meetings, have often turned into intent to start a project and make a difference. We’re exploring opportunities around the future of learning; the crossover between innovation and sustainability; and how to collaborate for digital inclusion across our city.

We run regular meet-ups, inviting speakers from our group and beyond. It is important that group members can talk about their challenges and what innovation means to them. Right from the start, members formed links with each other based on common interests, and shared challenges. We realised that part of our work is in forming bonds, building the social capital that keeps the conversation going.

Looking forward We are looking ahead to ways we can enhance the forum and keep bringing value to Bristol. This includes introducing AGMs for our members and others interested in what we’re doing, and bringing in a new platform, Solverboard, to help us manage our projects and get more value out of the work we do. In the short-term, we’ll welcome Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure, to talk about that all important innovation topic failure!

We’ve run sessions with Local entrepreneurs such as Clayton Planter from Street2Boardroom; with individuals leading the way on diversity and inclusion, such as Amanda Chappell from Bristol City Council; and with leading authors, including Greg Orme, author of The Human Edge: How curiosity and creativity are your superpowers in the digital economy, and Elvin Turner.

Learn One of our long-term aims is to develop the next generation of innovators in Bristol. We recently collaborated in running a careers expo for young undergraduates, in partnership with Bristol Hub and UoB’s Innovation Society. This brought together speakers, experienced innovation professionals along with Bristol students who wanted to know more about careers in innovation.

Bristol Innovators’ Group InnovateBristol Bristol Innovators’ Group

252

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

WITH EXISTING INNOVATION SPACE AND DEVELOPMENT PLOTS, THE BBSP IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES, AND TO ACTIVELY CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE.

253

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

is also a strong business community in the nearby area with a number of world-class research-based companies within 10km of the BBSP. We can offer high-spec business solutions. Choose our virtual tenancy to start with before exploring the shared Hub Office or fully serviced offices in the Innovation Centre. The Grow On Centre gives you the space and flexibility to push your business forward as it grows. With flexible office space solutions and informal business support, we have everything you need to scale up your business. Designed to facilitate collaborative working, the Bristol and Bath Science Park provides unlimited bandwidth and flexibility. The BBSP wireless system offers an eduroam visited service. Eduroam allows account holders visiting BBSP to have internet access throughout the site. From footpaths and dedicated bus lanes, on your bike and using onsite electric car charging points, there are plenty of ways for people to get to and from the BBSP sustainably and around the West of England. We also work with North Bristol SusCom to reduce travel in single occupancy cars and promote new and sustainable types of transport. Our facilities encourage tenants to take advantage of the great outdoors. We are keen to create a beautiful site, preserving existing hedgerows and trees. This inspired us to make the most of the open spaces available on site: Blackwell Common opposite the Forum. Activities are available to all tenants and occupants and include: cycling, walking, football, running and table tennis. We have shower facilities in the building to encourage visitors and businesses to enjoy exercise and the outdoors, and on a sunny day, why not enjoy your lunch or coffee break and enjoy the view.

We are also part of TEC ARC

TEC ARC is a connected place (physically and virtually) and offers research capabilities, hosts innovation space, nurtures a culture of creative collisions, is home to academic, private and public sector institutions and provides global innovation that benefits the local, regional and national economy.

Located between Bristol and Bath in the UK, the Bristol and Bath Science Park (BBSP) is the ideal place to grow your science and technology business. The site is home to the National Composites Centre and Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems. The Bristol and Bath Science Park members include large local aerospace primes such as Airbus in the UK, GKN Aerospace and Rolls Royce, with all leading in global aerospace Research and Development and manufacturing in composites. Three are also automotive manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and McLaren developing next generation automotive propulsion.

TEC ARC in South Gloucestershire features ‘connected innovation’, from Emersons Green Enterprise Area to Filton Enterprise Area via the University of the West of England. TEC ARC is a magnet for deep tech that supports high value jobs in R&D, high growth companies and major employers. All organisations collaborate to generate global impact and is open for innovation.

We want you to find inspiration and be inspired. The Forum building is open, spacious and designed to facilitate encounters and creative collisions. With existing Innovation space and development plots, the BBSP is designed to support Science and Technology businesses, and to actively create opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.

Bristol and Bath Science Park +44 (0) 117-370-7700 enquiries@bbsp.co.uk bristol-&-bath-science-park

Based in the West of England and located close to the M4 and M5 motorways and between the two railway stations in Bristol, the BBSP provides a diverse scientific eco-system offering facilities and services designed to enhance performance, accelerate success, and creates an environment for individuals and businesses to innovate and inspire. There

bbsp.co.uk 254

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE FOOD WORKSSW The Food Works is a vibrant and dynamic food and drink innovation centre located within the Defra designated Food Enterprise Zone in North Somerset. Nurturing food and drink manufacturers at the very start of their journey to providing more established businesses with the technical know-how to innovate and grow, the facility provides food and drink manufacturers with all the right ingredients to succeed. SW

The multi million pound centre, that opened in 2020 is operated by food industry specialists, The Food and Drink Forum, on behalf of North Somerset Council. The Food Works is the first centre of its kind in the region and provides unrivalled facilities for food manufacturers across the South West. These purpose built facilities enable businesses to develop new and existing products in twelve purpose built, food-grade incubator business units that sit adjacent to state of the art product development and pilot facilities in the Business Engagement building. SW

255

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WHERE FOOD BUSINESS TAKES FLIGHT The technical facilities within the dedicated Business Engagement building are designed to enable food producers to both trial and manufacture products on a small industrial scale with the support of an on-site dedicated technical team to assist with product development, reformulation, processing, equipment and advice. The four product development rooms are kitted out with some of the latest dairy, bakery, drinks and commercial scale equipment. As a regional centre of excellence The Food Works creates a focal point for food and drink businesses to come together and connects producers from across the South West to network, collaborate and share best practice. The Centre aims to connect businesses with key industry partners and academics to identify the very latest advances in technology and product development, find innovative solutions, highlight new routes to markets and consumer trends. SW

The Food Works Whirlwind Road Weston-Super-Mare BS24 8EF

enquiries@foodworks-sw.co.uk +44 (0) 1934-315381 FoodWorks_SW foodworkssw

foodworks-sw.co.uk 256

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE HIVE, BEING A ‘GREEN’ BUILD, DEMONSTRATES COMMITMENT TO TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH IS FURTHER CEMENTED BY THE FACT THAT THE HIVE IS WORKING TOWARDS B CORP ACCREDITATION.

The Hive provides innovative, fully serviced and modern workspace coupled with the best resource for business advice and support all designed to meet the needs of start-up and growing businesses in North Somerset.

can network daily. The workspace is let on an easy in easy out basis, has superfast broadband, electric car charging facilities, showers and a bicycle pool/bicycle storage.

Opened in 2014, The Hive is a dynamic economic development tool in the heart of the Junction 21 Enterprise Area based in Weston-super-Mare, which in its first five years of operation is estimated to have generated circa £18m net within the local economy.

The Hive can accommodate up to 60 individual offices. It is built to BREEAM excellent standards, incorporating many energy efficient measures which makes for a comfortable working environment for tenants and visitors, whilst keeping premises costs down.

The Hive enables 24 hr access to tenants and has a full-time on-site manager and reception facility. It has 3 well equipped training rooms of varying sizes and a business lounge where tenants and other businesses

The Hive, being a ‘green’ build, demonstrates commitment to tackling climate change which is further cemented by the fact that The Hive is working towards B Corp accreditation which it hopes to achieve in early 2021.

257

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

PDS Projects team, virtual tenant company at The Hive The Hive is a social enterprise which enables any surplus made to be recycled back into local business support services through its parent company the North Somerset Enterprise Agency LTD.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency and The Hive have a long track record of collaborating across the public, private and voluntary sector to enhance business support, improve infrastructure and deliver on the skills agenda. There is very active partnership working amongst stakeholders in the area which has been nurtured over many years and provides a springboard for innovative projects to flourish.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency Ltd (NSEA) is itself a not for profit, community enterprise, with social objectives that has been trading successfully since 1987 across the North Somerset area.

Since The Hive opened its doors in 2014 key milestones include a return on investment of £4.50 for every £1 invested, 100% occupancy by year five, 200 tenant jobs supported, over 600 new businesses started, over 700 new jobs created, 5000 1-1 advice sessions delivered and 43000 conference and workshop attendees.

The company’s mission is to support businesses who want to start up and grow whilst encouraging them to have a positive social and environmental impact on the community within which they live and work. It does this by providing pre-start, new and existing, micro/small and medium sized businesses, with impartial business information, 1-1 advice, training and support services that have a genuine community focus.

Plans for the future include the construction of another wing of The Hive to deliver up to 40 additional new offices. This already has planning permission. The hope is to deliver other bespoke serviced incubators across the North Somerset area and beyond as the opportunity arises.

NSEA’s aim is to stimulate the creation of enterprise in all its forms, helping to generate new jobs, support a diverse local supply chain and contribute to a successful local economy. Starting from humble beginnings North Somerset Enterprise Agency with its innovatively designed bespoke workspace The Hive, is both an innovator and an innovation enabler.

NSEA Property Services (The Hive) +44 (0) 800-083-3093 info@thehiveweston.org.uk NSEAHive NSEAHIVE

As an example, in 2014 when The Hive opened, NSEA helped a local R&D company start up after an employee buyout. The company became a tenant at The Hive and the initial team of 4 have now expanded to 13. NSEA still supports the business today as they navigate growth successes and challenges.

thehiveweston.org.uk 258

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE STABLE IS A POSITIVE, CREATIVE SPACE THAT IS FOCUSED ON UNITING OUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING ALL THINGS GOOD IN NORTH SOMERSET.

The Stable is a positive, creative space that is focused on uniting our community and supporting all things good in North Somerset. The Stable is a community-focused workspace that is home to more than 60 small businesses and start-ups from across North Somerset. Supporting independent businesses in their goals, we have a range of businesses from the Creative & Digital Sectors such as: Artists & Makers, Digi Tech Wizards, Film & Media Geeks, Health & Wellbeing Practitioners, Design & Build Engineers, Foodies, Project Manager and Writers, as well as a whole army

of co-workers. Not to mention an array of community classes, Dancers, Fitness Instructors and Coaches that utilise our bright meeting spaces. Based in the heart of Weston-super-Mare, The Stable’s sole aim is to improve the social and economic infrastructure of Weston and the surrounding villages. We provide the facilities and space for work, education, culture and the arts. As well as creating the environment for people from all walks of life to come together and collaborate in an

259

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

innovative space that offers a complete experience to live, work and play. Innovation, unity and flexibility go hand-inhand together at The Stable; our co-working space offers the perfect collaborative atmosphere for solopreneurs, freelancers and even those temporarily working remotely. We currently offer the only co-working space in Weston-super-Mare. Plus, we have brought new life to empty and abandoned buildings in Weston, creating homes for businesses such as The Stable Games Room, Dance Studio and Textile Quarter. In addition to our traditional workspaces, we also have The Loft, a bright and airy, creative multi-functional workspace which provides the perfect space for everything from arts & craft classes to conferences, group sessions and exercise classes. Plus, The Stable is always on the lookout to support and promote local businesses from our community, we have curated regular markets and exhibitions. By creating the space for businesses to grow and flourish, we hope to bolster an interesting, diverse and positive community in North Somerset. As well as also boosting our local economy. The Stable is an important innovator for Weston-superMare and North Somerset, dedicated to thinking outside-of-the-box and introducing new methods, ideas and services. We offer the small businesses that have made their home with us - as well as the local area - a creative and collaborative community space that supports their business growth. The Stable 3-6 Wadham Street Weston-super-Mare BS231 JY hello@thestableweston.com +44 (0) 1934 315 305 thestableweston the-stable-weston

However, The Stable is so much more than a workspace. We are at the heart of our community, partnering and supporting local charities and organisations, from The Hope Uniform Exchange, a place for parents to swap and exchange school uniforms, to working with The Stable Café, providing almost 20,000 free packed lunches to families that needed support during 2020.

thestable.online

We know that North Somerset has so much to offer, so much creativity, innovation & community, and here at The Stable, more than anything else, we want to help our local area to thrive and succeed. At The Stable, we love what we do.

260

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Joyful workspaces for teams that love what they do.

Natasha, CEO

Runway East is where every great idea has a great home. We provide the space and community for entrepreneurs, innovators, dreamers, and doers to meet, think and (occasionally) drink together.

companies into our space, Yellow Dog, Immersive Labs and Paymentsense to name a few, and we couldn’t be more proud of the community and networks we’ve built.

We opened in Bristol in 2018. We knew that it was a booming city with a heavy focus on tech start-ups, and since then we have opened Bristol 2.0 as the tech scene continues to grow - it is the ideal fit for us.

We’re a team of tech lovers, entrepreneurs, ex-startup founders and customer service advocates, who go above and beyond to keep our companies thriving. We truly care about our members’ success (and have the stories, friendships and memories to prove it). We want to be a part of every idea - no matter how small - and be there to support its growth. We bring together all sorts of people to allow new ideas to spark and blossom. This is done through our amazing in house events from rooftop

In 2018 alone, Bristol had over 24,000 people working in digital tech. All of those people need a place to work, and that’s exactly what we’re providing. Since moving here we have welcomed many incredible award-winning

261

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

yoga, to gin-making workshops, and cake every Wednesday, or simply by promoting a genuine open community; it’s what we’re all about. Whilst many coworking spaces have continued to focus their efforts on the capital, in 2018 at Runway East we recognised the flourishing tech scene in Bristol and as result, opened our first site there in summer 2018, the first London coworking provider to do so. Since its success, we have opened our second Bristol office in winter 2019. Moving to Bristol is perhaps our most notable achievement because it was such a bold move for a small coworking space with only two sites in east London to put our faith in Bristol - a city we did not know well past the glowing reviews from Bristolian founders at our London sites. We are constantly learning what our members like, what to do more of (and less of) by constant communication - every aspect of Runway East depends on our members. It’s been 6 years, and we’ve grown to five locations across London and Bristol, over 2,000 members and watched our companies raise over £500 million. We’re here to make good work, with good people. And we’re here to have fun.

Runway East HQ 20 St Thomas Street London, SE1 9RS

runwayea.st 262

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRISTOL’S QUANTUM PHENOMENON: AN ERUPTION OF QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION The University of Bristol is home to some of the leading researchers in the field of quantum information science and engineering and is a major player in accelerating the translation of quantum technologies from the lab into the marketplace. The region has grown a thriving ecosystem of quantum technology start-ups, building on world-class research and capitalising’s on Bristol’s unique enterprise activities and facilities to bring ‘quantum’ into everyday lives. Quantum Information is an emerging discipline, which promises enormous technological advancement with real global impact. From new ways of encrypting data - it’s protected by the laws of physics to quantum computers promising solutions to challenges far beyond the reach of current computing. Quantum technologies are changing and will continue to change our world. Since 2014, the UK government has invested £1 billion to develop the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKNQTP) (uknqt.epsrc.ac.uk) focussing on quantum research and the University of Bristol has played a major role in this activity. The University of Bristol’s Quantum Information Institute (BQII) brings together the broader quantum and related research activity from all over Bristol and builds upon the knowledge of theses leading academics, to develop a pipeline of talent and world-class research. The phenomenon began with pioneering research developed by the Quantum Information Theory Group and the Quantum Engineering Technology Labs (QETLabs).

Together with global partners such as Google the Quantum Information Theory Group looks at foundational fundamental aspects of quantum information science. This group are world-renowned for their research into quantum computing and quantum foundations and collaborate closely with their experimental colleagues in QET Labs. QET Labs is a cross-disciplinary team of over 100 academics, engineers and scientists, who are driving the translation of quantum science into real concept demonstrators which will be the springboard for the commercial success of quantum technologies. In 2014, Bristol established a programme to create the future leaders of the Quantum revolution. It was awarded the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to support the development

263

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Phasecraft (phasecraft.io), developing the fundamental quantum theory and software to enable quantum computers to solve real-world problems. KETS Quantum (kets-quantum.com), developing the world’s first integrated quantum secured encryption technologies. FluoretiQ (fluoretiq.com), developing technology to enable identification of harmful bacteria in mere minutes. QLM Technology (qlmtec.com), developing compact gas detection and imaging systems for the detection of low-concentration gas leaks.

of new quantum research talent through their training programme for PhD students. Since then, it has built a network of big industry players and works with them to provide real-world problems with quantum solutions. This gives their PhD students both experience of working in a commercial setting as well as access to some of the most eminent researchers in quantum today. Over the first four cohorts, QTEC has helped to create a third of the UK’s funded quantum start-ups and as of January 2021 these companies have raised a total of £44.8 million in equity, contract and grant funding and created over 126 high value jobs within the UK.

As the Bristol quantum ecosystem continues to grow and thrive, new quantum companies will be drawn to Bristol to benefit from the expert knowledge, unique training and specialist facilities which are only available here. This is already attracting new and existing businesses to establish in the region and in the future, Bristol will be globally known as the home of quantum technology.

In 2018, the University of Bristol and the West of England Combined Authority co-funded the Quantum Technology Innovation Centre (QTIC) which will cement Bristol’s position as the hub for quantum commercialisation. QTIC will provide state of the art laboratories, workspaces and equipment to support the development of quantum technologies from concept to market. It is currently in its pilot phase and in the future, QTIC will continue to bring in big industry to work alongside Bristol’s quantum researchers, start-ups and SMEs and will facilitate new, exciting collaborations which will further accelerate the development of market-ready quantum technologies.

1 Cathedral Square, Bristol BS1 5DD qetlabs/bristolqe/qtecbristol

In the last 6 years, Bristol has become a global leader in quantum innovation and is set to continue to grow rapidly over the next decade. It offers a pipeline to take Bristol’s quantum research from benchtop to business as seen through the development of successful quantum businesses, such as:

bristol.ac.uk/research/institutes/quantum/ bristol.ac.uk/qtic 264

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TACKLING TOMORROW’S ENGINEERING CHALLENGES The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is focused on solving future global challenges and transforming futures, through outstanding learning, world-leading research and a culture of enterprise. This vision was the starting point for the design of the new School of Engineering building – a striking modern space that reflects the changing face of engineering education and places the professional engineer at its core. Completed in autumn 2020, the building supports many different engineering disciplines in one contemporary space. It provides different and more flexible ways of working for students and staff, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and problem solving. Industry standard equipment and flexible teaching spaces are combined with a unique approach to teaching design. The emphasis is on project-based learning and live industry briefs, giving students real life contexts to work with, helping them to develop the most indemand skills that employers want and need. But it’s not simply about professional skills development and excellent facilities – the University is focused on introducing sustainability across all areas of the curriculum. For student engineers this means understanding their purpose as a professional engineer and the impact their work can have on improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Photo by Department of Engineering Design and Mathematics

Engineering has an important role to play in everyday life. We are facing challenges that require urgent action on a local and global scale and Project Week is a key component in bringing this to life for students. For the past three years UWE Bristol has partnered with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) to deliver project based learning activities that develop the students’ sense of global responsibility. By participating in the EWB Engineering for People Design Challenge, UWE Bristol students are investing their skills and talent to benefit the planet and its people. They have previously come up with innovations around homelessness and looked at ways to improve energy generation in the Indian province of Tamil Nadu.

Engineers Without Borders has been instrumental in helping us integrate sustainability into our engineering curriculum. It’s always exciting to see students give their all during Project Week to come up with great designs. More importantly, they complete their projects feeling inspired to do well in their studies and to use their engineering skills to make a positive impact around them.” — Maryam M. Lamere, Project Week Coordinator

265

Photo by National Composites Centre.

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Photo by BAM Construction and John Seaman Photography This is just one of the ways UWE Bristol embeds professional competencies with a sustainability focus throughout the engineering curriculum – encouraging collaboration, creativity and innovation across disciplines and building confidence and resilience in its student engineers. The University is not only keen to inspire current students but also the next generation of engineers, through its work as the strategic lead for skills with the Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation (DETI) initiative. The West of England is a hub for science, technology, engineering and mathematics but - as with the rest of the UK there is a huge skills and employment gap for future engineers. The DETI INSPIRE programme champions science for children in the region with a particular focus on breaking down stereotypes, challenging perceptions and raising aspirations regarding STEM careers in under-represented groups.

Photo by BAM Construction and John Seaman Photography By demonstrating the possibilities of an engineering career and making the challenges and rewards real for current and future students, UWE Bristol hopes to inspire a new generation of engineers ready to face future challenges head on. A diverse, responsible, adaptable workforce with the professional tools they need to act on their ideas and make them happen – paving the way for more efficient and sustainable solutions with local and global impacts.

To raise awareness of STEM careers and encourage a more diverse engineering workforce, UWE Bristol is establishing an Engineering Engagement Hub to work with DETI partners and local schools. Digital engineering activities will aim to inspire children to tackle sustainability challenges, teachers will have access to CPD events to support and upskill them, and a network of diverse engineering role models will champion engineering public engagement through work with schools and families.

UWE Bristol infopoint@uwe.ac.uk +44 (0) 117 9656261 UWE Bristol uwebristol university-of-the-west-of-england

uwe.ac.uk 266

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE HEALTH TECH HUB HELPS BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP AND BRING TO MARKET NEW TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, WHICH PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLBEING, PARTICULARLY FOCUSING ON HOME SENSING, HOME DIAGNOSTICS AND INDEPENDENT LIVING. Mission: The Hub’s mission is to advance innovation in healthcare, to invigorate the growth of UK companies and to improve the quality of life for citizens. The Health Tech Hub team identifies and creates opportunities for businesses, universities and the healthcare sector to work together to solve the demanding problems faced by the healthcare sector in the UK and globally.

we work with to develop their technology solutions. In our purpose-built world-class laboratories, complete with the latest equipment; our dedicated team of experts are able to support companies with precision, utilising their accumulative experience across the industry, academia and healthcare sectors. The projects undertaken in the Hub are hugely diverse, from developing a sensor for detecting Urinary Tract Infection, to running sophisticated spectral analysis of cells undergoing stress. Other projects included characterising novel biocompatible materials and integrating electronic systems into assistive technologies such as a “Smart” walking stick for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Our story: The Health Tech Hubs 900m2 facility is located in UWE Bristol’s University Enterprise Zone. Its founding partners are the UWE Bristol, University of Bristol, Sirona Care and Health, P3 Medical Ltd, Designability and the West of England Academic Health Science Network. With its links to the industry, the Academic Health Science Network and Medilink, (a national network for health technology businesses), the Health Tech Hub can help companies to accelerate product commercialisation and adoption into healthcare environments.

The Hub aims to boost regional economic growth, create new regional jobs and international recognition of the vibrant health and life sciences sector in the West of England, by offering South West companies tailored support for their product development. The SW is home to a thriving health tech community and to date, we’ve achieved our target of supporting over 120 SW companies since our launch in late 2018. Alongside this, we’ve delivered over 25 targeted business networking events, workshops and

Innovation is at the core of the Health Tech Hub’s mission. Our skilled staff are well-placed to advance innovation, by supporting each company

267

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Health Tech Hub is focused on supporting the SW health tech community, by continuing to support both SME’s and the NHS to transform how health and social care is delivered. Testimonials: ‘The real asset of the Hub is the creativity, enthusiasm and knowledge of the staff. The practical support shown at all levels has been second to none. Using the facilities has been very useful in terms of gaining access to professional and state of the art lab and workshop facilities to conduct initial tests and experiments in a highly sensitive and controlled environment. As a start up SME with limited capabilities, such resources are invaluable for us to be able conduct high quality and competitive R&D to develop our ideas further.’ Habib Patel, Founder of Fullfat Technologies | fullfattech.com

webinars in collaboration with our associate business network Medilink South West. In addition to this, we’ve developed the Health Technology Accelerator Programme (HTAP) to support small to medium businesses in the West of England region develop new products or services for the health and life science sector. The programme is managed in collaboration with the West of England AHSN and it provides free business coaching and mentoring for businesses that have an innovative product or service that has the potential to benefit the health and social care sectors.

‘The Hub has been fantastic to work with, we really recommend them to companies looking for adaptive technical expertise. After our initial meeting to define a scope for the project, I had the opportunity to be shown around the Labs, which are full of dynamic projects and research. The project ran smoothly, with the work being carried out quickly with little input required from me. Within several weeks, the work was complete and I returned for a final meeting and summary of the research conducted. This was great as I was able to discuss the results in a less formal manner with the researchers. The reports that the HTH staff produced are very well written and go into significant detail. I’m very happy with the outcome of this project.’ Eoin Sharkey, Founder of The BioFactory | the-biofactory.com To learn more about our work, please visit www.heathtechhub.co.uk or get in touch with julie.maggs@uwe.ac.uk

Health Tech Hub +44 (0) 117 328 1110 Julie.Maggs@uwe.ac.uk

2020 has presented unprecedented challenges to the healthcare sector in the form of C-19 and the

healthtechhub.co.uk 268

CHAPTER 14

HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCE

“We’re on a mission to elevate human performance by making technical and soft-skills training accessible, affordable and data-driven; changing how the workforce of the future learns, trains and performs.” — DR ALEX YOUNG, CEO

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

IMPROVING HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Improving Human Performance

As the founder and CEO of an experiential training solution that uses virtual and augmented reality to improve employee performance and scale in-person training Virti saw a huge uptick in demand during 2020.

Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a startup, being told that your sales force is grounded, your product and engineering teams need to work from home, and your customers are closing down, operations wasn’t a positive start to 2020. It also wasn’t immediately seen as one of the biggest workforce transformation opportunities of the century.

More Time For Learning A reduction in travel and employees being stuck at home in front of their computers means many organisations are focusing on how to upskill their current workforce to maximise downtime and deliver value and reassurance to their employees.

With figures showing that more than 40 million people can make “work at home” a regular part of their jobs, companies of all sizes are adapting how they optimise the performance and well-being of their workforces.

271

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

With the majority of in-person training now impossible, remote, online solutions are seeing a surge in usage. Travel, distractions and poor engagement have traditionally meant that it could be a challenge to get employees in front of learning solutions. Many people now have a little more spare time and an increased desire to learn not only work-related skills, but also complementary skills such as mindfulness, yoga and soft skills.

Increased Productivity And Focus A range of studies have shown that remote work can increase productivity. Flexible working from home, if implemented correctly, can lead to feelings of empowerment and improved focus for your team. By training and empowering employees today, the best teams and companies can mitigate the negative effects caused by losing out on the close proximity of working together in an office environment and help employees develop new skill sets they might otherwise not have had the opportunity to discover. Remote learning for workforce training is likely to stay around after face-to-face training resumes. Integrating

newer technologies around existing tools to help improve learning and save costs on traditional employee training will be key for companies that wish to future-proof their workforces.

272

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Future-Proofing Learning Culture CEOs and HR teams have been faced with tough decisions regarding headcount and employee well-being with the change in work environments and business operations. Many employees are struggling with working away from their usual offices, along with the closure of gyms and social hubs, and in some geographies, the inability to leave their homes without compromising their health. That is why organisations must focus on improving their organisational culture and prioritising employee wellbeing. These positive impacts will need to be integrated to any return-to-normal strategies such that training does not simply revert to the old way of doing things. Focus on learning and well-being will need to be maintained in our “new normal.” As with many sectors, the changes forced upon large organisations and restrictions to budgets and operations have caused significant upheaval in a short span of time. Many organisations are seeing the current climate as an opportunity to invest in training and upskilling staff, even with budgets reduced.

Technology is now becoming an increasing necessity to future-proof the workforce and scale face-to-face training. One thing is for sure: Companies of all sizes must remember that the ways in which employees are trained, onboarded and upskilled will not be returning to the old way of doing things for quite some time, if ever.

273

Virti is a multi-award-winning corporate training company offering an end-to-end, VR/AR-based immersive learning platform that improves how people train, learn and perform. With a mission to elevate human performance by making experiential training affordable and accessible to everyone on the planet through digital training experiences, Virti are shaping the future of learning for corporates and healthcare. Virti are a TIME Best 100 Invention, have been featured on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square and have won multiple awards while scaling up fast.

To highlight the problem, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States and costs health providers upwards of $20Bn in payouts. Outside of healthcare data from LinkedIn’s network of over 660+ million professionals and 20+ million jobs people with emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, are getting hired and promoted at a faster rate than others with evidence also suggesting that poor communication skills being the cause of most customer complaints and dissatisfaction, hence Virti’s focus on soft-skills training.

Virti founder Dr Alexander Young is a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon with a degree in education, masters in surgical science and a passion for training and making things better for the workforce. He is also a gamer and previously founded an education technology company. The best training that he received was on-the-job, face-to-face training from expert surgeons however this wasn’t always convenient, wasn’t repeatable and there was variation between training techniques and trainers. The dream was to build a scalable training platform that could be accessed on demand, was fun to use and that could turn subjective information (like communication skills) into objective data for comparison to improve human performance and reduce error.

Traditional training is delivered via text books, videos and expensive face-to-face training sessions. These experiences lack the emotion and stress of the real world, leaving employees under-prepared with no objective way to know if they will perform when it matters. One of the goals at Virti is to take traditionally subjective data from important skills such as communication, teamwork and decision-making under pressure and make them objective, quantifiable and validated to provide organisations with better insights on how prepared their workforce really is while making on-the-job training more equitable to access and more scalable.

Founded in 2018 Virti has offices in Bristol, UK as well as in Texas and California in the US. The Virti team is made up of games developers, engineers and learning and development experts with a passion for improving human performance through technology.

To do this Virti’s platform uses computer vision and natural language processing analysing both solo user performance as well as multiplayer environments to quantify team work. Content added to the platform can itself be analysed allowing trainers to better predict variability in procedures and training methods. In healthcare this ability to collect, store and analyse training video and user data is all geared towards reducing outlier variability and improving patient safety.

Virti’s technology is used by healthcare providers, medical device and pharmaceutical companies and FTSE 100/250 companies to help reduce variability in training and improve employee performance.

Virti are the first and only education company to be accepted onto the NHS’ National Innovation programme, which selects the 10 best evidence-based health-tech companies each year and helps them to scale throughout the NHS and are also alumni of the Digital Health.London accelerator and the Texas Medical Center’s Innovation Programme.

Virti’s cloud-based platform is accessed by employees on mobile, desktop and virtual and augmented reality headsets with a focus on data-science analysis of training data that can be uniquely captured across these mediums. The system, which has multiple patents, allows any employee to make mistakes and learn from them in a safe environment with a focus on training essential workplace skills and practicing difficult conversations.

The Series A-stage company has raised over $12M in just 2 years and has seen revenue growth of over 1000% year-on-year. Virti’s product has been validated through independent research showing improved knowledge retention of upwards of 230% for employees and reduced anxiety around performing infrequent but high pressure roles.

One of the big issues with traditional training is recreating the stress and emotion of real life and being able to collect data on performance at scale. Skills such as emotional intelligence and communication and team working skills are essential for employees of all stages but are traditionally taught using in-person role play which is costly and hard to scale.

The company has won a number of high-profile awards including The Mayor of London’s Startup Award and The VR Award for Healthcare. During 2020 Virti won the NHS’ COVID-19 challenge for work done helping upskill frontline healthcare workers and were featured on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square. info@virti.com virtilabs Virti

Content is broad, spanning diversity and inclusivity HR training to sales and support soft skills to surgical procedures with a focus on infrequently used but high-risk hard-skills together with soft-skills training for all sectors. The company is more problem-focused than fixed to a specific industry or type of technology with emphasis on capturing unique data insights that would be otherwise impossible with traditional in-person training.

virti.com 274

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO? Over half of blindness in the UK is completely preventable with an early diagnosis and treatment. Keeping people seeing well is a huge part of keeping people living well, from children in education through to older generations keeping their driving licences and their independence. At OKKO Health, we passionately believe everyone deserves access to great eye care and are working hard to put hospital-grade eye health monitoring into the hands of patients themselves. Self-monitoring means less visits to hospital and catching any problems early. We’re watching how our early technology is taking people who live with eye disease from a sense of confusion to a sense of control and connectedness, reassuring them and enabling them to confidently move ahead with their lives.

“What I enjoy most about working with OKKO Health is the hands-on collaboration with the individuals in our co-design team, we simply love what we do every day. It doesn’t feel like work!” — Jay Lockwood, Designer

OUR STORY Our founders are dedicated eye professionals who knew something needed to be done about the long hospital waiting lists and for the patients who often suffered due to delayed treatments. They creatively discovered that blending video games technology with vision science offered the possibility of remote diagnostics and expert care from a smartphone. Not only this, but the data science is unlocking eye health secrets that we have never seen before, and we’re working hard with hospitals and researchers to bring these discoveries to patients and doctors. COVID-19 was a challenging period but the team worked relentlessly to build collaborations with the doctors who reached out to OKKO from across the UK and Europe. What was built in the bedrooms and the coffee shops of Cardiff and Bristol is rapidly scaling into a device-agnostic technology that could protect the sight of millions locally and across the world. Are you as curious as we are? Find out more at okkohealth.com/careers

275

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Berkeley Square Bristol hello@okkohealth.com OKKO Health

276

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Elvie’s new Bristol office space

Elvie’s newest innovations; Elvie Curve and Elvie Catch

Elvie’s flagship Bristol office Founded in 2013, Elvie is a health and lifestyle brand dedicated to improving the lives of women through better (and smarter) technology. It’s our core belief that women of all ages need empowering technology that lets them take charge of their health across every life stage. With that in mind, we identify real needs and innovate around them, in turn creating conversations and challenging age-old taboos around women’s health. Currently, we have four products on the market – the first being Elvie Trainer, our award-winning Kegel trainer and app that helps women strengthen their pelvic floor through fun, five-minute workouts. Our second launch, Elvie Pump, is the world’s first silent, wearable breast pump – a total game-changer in this category, as its unique design makes it possible for women to pump anytime, anywhere. In October 2020, we expanded our breastfeeding range with two new products, Elvie Curve and Elvie Catch, both innovative solutions designed to keep a mother’s busy hands (and headspace) free.

create the technological innovations that dismantle them! Needless to say, throwing around words like “vagina” doesn’t raise eyebrows around here. Our work encourages us to engage in these discussions, shift people’s views, and educate both women and men on important – often intimate – topics. We see this as a great opportunity to drive real change in the culture at large while addressing the - often-ignored - needs of 50% of the population.

A BASE IN BRISTOL When we first opened our doors at 1BSQ, this was the first significant investment in the area from any femtech business. Before choosing Bristol, we looked at various options for our second R&D base, but the area’s unique blend of culture, its wealth of talented people, and quirky sense of humour is what clinched it for us. Bristol’s open-minded atmosphere is the ideal place to expand and develop new products while continuing to bust taboos.

OUR MISSION Given the number of taboos that surround women’s bodies and health, the growing Elvie team is driven by our overarching mission of changing perceptions while pioneering life-changing health solutions for women. Talking about vaginas and intimate health has always been “hush-hush” in most societies, but how can we design products that make lives easier if no one talks about these issues? If we don’t talk about them, we can’t

It was vital that the office didn’t feel too much like an office; it needed to be a space that drew people in, that encouraged an exchange of ideas. A place for men and women to research, test, fail, learn and innovate – to develop designs that improve lives on a global scale. With bespoke meeting spaces

277

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

“Bristol has produced some fantastic homegrown success stories – especially in tech. It’s the perfect place to drive our international expansion.” — Tania Boler, Founder & CEO

Elvie Pump; the world’s first silent, wearable breast pump

Tania Boler - the Founder and CEO of Elvie

IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN, BY TANIA BOLER As a sexual health researcher who had previously worked for the UN and global NGO’s, I’ve always been passionate about driving change in society, especially around neglected and taboo issues facing women during motherhood. Elvie was born out of this passion for women’s health, as so many of the issues women face are often swept under the carpet. I had quickly become fed up with both the lack of innovation in women’s tech solutions and the cultural norms which have forbidden women to talk openly about their bodies. And the more I researched, the more I found that most of what was on the market at the time for women was simply ineffective.

Elvie’s Bristol office features meeting rooms named after notable women

Since founding the company, we’ve seen massive growth in the femtech space, with Elvie being a fundamental part of that shift. Ultimately, women don’t just deserve better tech, they’re demanding it, and with all the untapped potential in this industry, we want to keep building on this early success and continue to pioneer products that shatter our assumptions of what’s possible.

Ultimately, Bristol has produced some fantastic homegrown success stories – especially in tech. It’s the perfect place to drive our international expansion and bring in fresh talent to build our new line of products. We’re so excited to be part of the community and create a local success story of our own.

Elvie Trainer; an award-winning Kegel trainer for a stronger pelvic floor

named after pioneering women and allies throughout the ages, a tiered community hall, a breastfeeding room, and plenty of room to grow as a company, we’ve created a space that’s energised, thoughtful, and inclusive – and that’s before seeing the incredible workshop where our technology comes to life.

Elvie +44 (0) 203 745 5201 questions@elvie.com

278

ElvieOfficial elvie

elvie.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

CO-OPERATIONS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF OUR SCIENTIFIC FREEDOM

Bristol is particularly strong in synthetic biology and I was very keen on joining the Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre BrisSynBio when I arrived. BrisSynBio had this great collaboration with MaxSynBio, which is its equivalent in Germany at the Max Planck Society, one of the foremost research societies in Europe and world-wide. To our great surprise and extreme delight, at our joint BrisSynBio-MaxSynbio meeting in 2018, our German friends and Max Planck directors announced the invitation by the Max Planck Society to propose a Max Planck Centre in Bristol. This was an incredible recognition of our leadership and we went to work. We placed our bid and in a highly competitive process we secured the Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology. This was a veritable scoop -

I am Imre Berger, synthetic biologist, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at the University of Bristol and Founding and Managing director of the Max Planck Bristol Centre. A guy who loves science, loves to have fun and loves to work with great colleagues doing great science and chasing crazy ideas - which is all the Max Planck Centre is about. I am german, was trained and worked in USA, Switzerland and France and came to Bristol towards the end of 2016 together with my spouse who is my favorite collaborator on many projects including our two kids, and who is also a professor of Biochemistry and an expert in cryo-electron microscopy at Bristol University.

279

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

to move way out of our comfort zones to do new and exciting things. And this is what great science is all about. Our innovations in the Max Planck Centre already and very concretely help shape our present and hopefully our future. When the COVID crisis broke, during the first hard lock-down, almost everything in Bristol and the UK Shut down including the University. Only a handful of scientists and clinicians, continued to work trying to do what they could to counter the pandemic. The Max Planck Centre continued operations to supply the clinicians with the reagents they needed including the major antigen of SARS- CoV-2, the Spike. This is the protein on the virus surface which SARS-CoV-2 uses to attach and infect our cells. We quality controlled the Spike with cryo-electron microscopy, a powerful technique to image the ultrastructure of a sample at near atomic resolution. When we peered into the Spike, we discovered a druggable pocket - and within the pocket a potent drug ! This fortuitous discovery revealed a weak spot in the virus which could be used to abolish its infectivity. We published a paper in Science late 2020. We remain astonished by the wide resonance it received. Based on this discovery we founded Halo Therapeutics Ltd, a start- up developing pan-coronavirus antivirals to combat the present and future - outbreaks. We assembled a top team of experts and Halo is right now moving to phase II clinical trials with its antiviral that could stop SARs-CoV-2 in its tracks.

The Max Planck Centre gives us the possibility to move way out of our comfort zones to do new and exciting things. And this is what great science is all about.” — Professor Imre Berger, Founding & Managing Director, Max Planck Centre (Bristol) Max Planck Centres exist at renowned institutions including Harward, Princeton, RIKEN and the likes, and to have Bristol enter this league makes us enormously proud and obliges us to deliver the very best and most exciting science we can. Minimal biology explores the interface between physics and the life sciences and asks the question - what makes matter come alive? Minimal biology is exciting because it breaks down boundaries and silo thinking - it is free roaming over all the disciplines in the sciences and uniquely combines them. In synthetic biology, we learned how to apply engineering principles to create life-like processes from defined individual parts. This was all carbon based. And now we are moving away from this. In Minimal biology, we are completely open to radical new approaches, radically new ideas where we ask - does it have to be carbon? Can it be also any other kind of materials, maybe inorganic materials? We use whatever we have at our disposal - in chemistry, biology and physics. If we have defined parameters, and we can make model systems which we can completely control because we had built them from defined parts - then we can develop better diagnostic methods, better therapeutics and better models to test therapies and drugs we are developing.

Prof. Imre Berger PhD HDR FRSB Founding Director, Max Planck Centre for Minimal Biology University of Bristol 1 Tankard’s Close Bristol BS8 1TD +44 (0) 117 39 41857

The Max Planck Centre comprises three Bristol based directors and three directors at Max Planck Institutes in Germany, each of us with complementary skill sets and scientific backgrounds. We innovate by exploiting the synergies at the interfaces of our scientific expertise where the sky’s the limit. We are all established and if you may say successful scientists in our disciplines - the Max Planck Centre gives us the possibility

280

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

HALO THERAPEUTICS

Our vision is that at the first sign of the disease, whether you come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or you have early symptoms, you would self-medicate at home to stop the virus in its tracks and prevent you from getting ill.”

DEVELOPING PAN CORONAVIRUS ANTIVIRALS Founded in December 2020 and based in Bristol, UK, our vision is to roll out a class of small molecule pan-coronavirus therapeutics targeting the central axis of disease pathology: lipid regulation.

— Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel, Co-Founder and CTO and Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Bristol.

There is no home therapeutic treatment for COVID-19 patients, and similarly no prophylactic treatment for at-risk patients (elderly, disease preconditions, track and trace “proximity positive” individuals, family members of positive cases). Our vision is to solve this urgent unmet medical need by providing safe pan coronavirus antivirals which can be applied by COVID-19 patients by themselves, at home.

HALO’S PROPRIETARY FREE FATTY ACID FORMULA IS A PAN CORONAVIRUS ANTIVIRAL. We recently published in Science Magazine the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is driven to non-infectious, locked conformation by nanomolar concentrations of free fatty acid.

281

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Unit DX, 1st Floor Room 101 St. Philips Central Albert Road St. Philips, Bristol England, BS2 0XJ +44 (0) 117 403 4035 contact@halo-therapeutics.com

halo-therapeutics.com 282

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

IMOPHORON REINVENTING VACCINES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Founded in 2017, and based at Science Creates, Imophoron is a startup developing a next-generation vaccine platform for use on emerging infectious diseases. The platform is based on a single component of the human Adenovirus that spontaneously forms a superparticle: The ADDomer.

Infectious diseases continue to plague populations and rank among the paramount causes for preventable death worldwide. Among the means at our disposal to counter this threat, vaccination has proven to be exceptionally powerful. Small-pox has been eradicated, measles, polio and tetanus constrained from the world by vaccination.

Slow response to new threats. High costs and complex manufacturing process. Low efficiency in sustaining protective immunity. Deployment is difficult in often remote regions. Long development times; large safety database.

As the question of a virus coming to hit us is not if, but when. Our goal is to exploit the ADDomer technology in order to answer today’s challenges in vaccination.”

Nonetheless, severe threats continue to challenge human health. Recent dramatic examples include emerging viruses such as Chikungunya, Ebola and Zika, which have been in the headlines as painful reminders that we are constantly exposed to pathogens causing debilitating, potentially lethal disease, for which we lack accessible vaccines.

— Frederic Garzoni, Director of Imophoron

Imophoron’s ADDomer technology can provide the answers to these challenges. Imophoron exploits its technology to create several vaccine candidates to target a whole range of diseases and made a compelling proof of concept against Chikungunya (transmitted by the Tiger Mosquito) which was published in Science Advances.

Pandemic and endemic viruses represent a growing global threat with four major drivers: Zoonotic, Deforestation, Global Warming and Urbanisation. Furthermore, we face several challenges in Vaccine Development:

283

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

COVID-19 The Imophoron team has been working tirelessly since the COVID-19 pandemic started. “As soon as the pandemic hit we knew we had to redirect our research towards a COVID-19 vaccine. We believe that our platform can revolutionise vaccine development, and we couldn’t leave it on the shelf while this crisis was unfolding across the world. We’ve been working around the clock, our first vaccine candidates were ready for preclinical trials just weeks after the SARSCoV-2 genome sequence was released, which is unprecedented.”

Viruses are waiting to strike, and we need to have the tools ready to tackle this global threat. Our vaccine candidate is easy to manufacture, extremely stable and elicits a powerful immune response. It can be stored and transported without refrigeration to countries and patients where it is most needed. Intriguingly, we can now rapidly engineer similar vaccines to combat many other infectious diseases just as well.”

A key advantage of the ADDomer is its incredible stability. Most vaccines have to be kept frozen (between -70°C and -20°C) or cold (between 4°C and 8°C) to remain effective. A power outage anywhere along that journey can break the chain and leave a vaccine unusable, but just one-tenth of the poorest countries’ health care facilities have reliable power supplies. Imophoron’s vaccines can be stored at room temperature as powders, so they don’t rely on the cold chain. This may make their vaccine easier to supply to low- and medium-income countries.

— Imre Berger, Director of the Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology

Imre Berger, Director of Bristol’s Max Planck Centre for Minimal Biology and cofounder of Imophoron, said: ‘We still have a long road ahead, but COVID-19 research is accelerating at a breathtaking pace. It usually takes a decade to deliver a vaccine, but so many barriers to innovation have fallen recently. Science always delivers: we have to keep working and hoping.’

The ADDomer Platform Rapid Library of ADDomers Flexible design Rapid identification of epitopes Ideally suited for pandemic response

Demonstrated POC in SC, IM, Nasal Multiple epitopes elicit high immunogenicity No Adjuvant required High potency

Existing Technology Small batch size (Potency) Easy to scale as required Transferable Existing recombinant process No genetic material

“We have so much more to learn about SARSCoV-2, but during this crisis we’re seeing that when we focus and work together, we can expedite that process. It doesn’t hurt to have some good luck too! We’re grateful that we can contribute, and excited to find out what surprises the future holds.”

Existing Technology

fred@imophoron.com Imophoron Ltd

No cold chain-transport and in-use stability > 45°C 3 routes of admin; sub cutaneous (SC), intra muscular (IM), nasal

pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/ bristol-university-imophoron-covid-vaccine 284

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our mission is to help people with diabetes to live more normal and longer lives.

Carbometrics is a specialist supramolecular chemistry company based in Bristol whose core competency is the design, synthesis and derivatisation of highly selective and robust synthetic small molecule receptors. The principle technology deployed is the world’s most selective Glucose Binding Molecule (GBM), an advance which is supported by over 20 years of cutting-edge research pioneered by Professor Anthony Davis’ group at the University of Bristol. Carbometrics was spun-out of Ziylo in August 2018 when the latter was acquired by the Danish diabetes company Novo Nordisk who planned to develop the molecule with Carbometrics and use it as the critical component of a cutting-edge insulin drug discovery programme focused on discovering a - Glucose Sensitive Insulin (GSI). The deal is thought to be one of the largest, if not the largest, deal done for such an early-stage chemistry asset and is testament to the novelty and potential utility of the original Glucose Binding Molecule discovery. Carbometrics was founded by the original directors of

285

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Ziylo and is led by the former Ziylo CSO - Dr Andy Chapman as the Chief Executive. At the point of acquisition Dr Chapman negotiated the rights to a back-license to the original GBM technology for nontherapeutic applications. Carbometrics’ goal is to exploit the GBM technology further by developing it to create a highly robust and accurate glucose sensing platform that can be used to create market-leading Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensors. Carbometrics’ mission is to help people with diabetes to live more normal and longer lives. The Company will use their proprietary Biomimetic Glucose Binding Molecules (GBM) to develop a new glucose sensor for placement within market-leading Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM).

B A T H

revolutionise the treatment of diabetes. One of the most intractable issues that Tony worked on for many years was how to make the glucose binding molecule work in water. He developed techniques to design and build an organic-soluble version of the glucose binding molecule and then further techniques to convert it into a water-soluble one. Whilst Tony was always dedicated to his own research he also took a great interest in mentoring and indeed collaborating with promising young scientists who shared his fascination with the complexities of supramolecular chemistry. One such scientist, Harry Destecroix, studying for his PhD under the tutelage of Tony Davis, worked on a particular molecule that proved relatively easy to make and had just the right affinity for glucose. There was, however, one aspect of Harry’s molecule - its lack of selectivity for glucose over all the other molecules in the blood. During this time, Rob Tromans (a PhD graduate from Davis’ lab and now Senior Scientist at Carbometrics) was working on another design for Tony. He realised the synthesis and tested the binding of this new design, and it was fantastic. Ziylo completely pivoted, working tirelessly on the new molecule to develop it into a glucose sensor and for use in the applications of interest to Novo Nordisk. Carbometrics continues to collaborate with Novo Nordisk as the GSI project progresses through the drug discovery phases. Simultaneously, Carbometrics is doing its own proof of concept work for glucose sensing systems with a view to partnering again in the development of devices that will rely on the company’s sensing technology. Carbometrics is delighted to be just one part of the burgeoning scientific innovation in Bristol. Highly qualified staff with all the right credentials and application in the field of scientific research can be found in Bristol, particularly at Unit DX, and Carbometrics have always enjoyed strong support from the City of Bristol and University of Bristol.

For two decades, Professor Anthony Davis has worked as a supramolecular chemist with a group of scientists at the University of Bristol. Tony decided to target glucose, not only because it is a key macronutrient, but because its chemical properties make it ideal to build a ‘cage’, the synthetic glucose binding molecule, around the glucose molecule. The cage acts as the ‘host’ while the glucose molecule, smaller and shaped like a flat disk with an equivalent top and bottom and a ring around the outside, acts as the ‘guest’. The discovery of an effective glucose binding molecule is, of course, critical to the development of associated medical products such as switches or sensors, or other yet-to-be developed products, that can

Carbometrics info@carbometrics.com Unit DX St Philips Central, Albert Road Bristol, BS2 0XJ

carbometrics.com 286

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

CYTOSEEK IS DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CELL THERAPIES AGAINST SOLID TUMOURS BY AUGMENTING IMMUNE CELLS. Our Artificial Membrane Binding Protein (AMBP) technology allows us to cover the surface of virtually any cell with therapeutic peptides, proteins, or enzymes that enhance the functionality of cells targeting solid tumours. AMBP technology is highly modular, comprising our proprietary humanlike anchoring domain, which binds non-specifically into membranes, and a functional domain to enhance the therapeutic potential of immune cells. This approach does not require genetic modification, but still harnesses the innate targeting of cell therapies to deliver therapeutic moieties to the tumour site. Our mission is to use our AMBP technology to enable the next generation of cell therapies targeting solid tumours, and improve the lives of the millions of people diagnosed with cancer each year. AMBP technology has been developed by Adam Perriman, a Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Bristol, for more than 10 years. In November 2017, CytoSeek was incorporated to commercialise the technology and take it towards clinical application, after winning the top prize at a BBSRC-funded ‘4-day MBA’ pitching event. In June 2019, CytoSeek also won the ‘Rising Star’ award at the Launch Great West event, and was a finalist at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies 2019 competition. On the back of our early successes, CytoSeek raised £1.1M, closing in November 2019, to accelerate development progress.

developers who are looking to enhance their approaches. Therefore, we consider ourselves to be both innovators and innovation-enablers.

The innovative AMBP design provides a platform to deliver proteins, including those that may otherwise be ineffective or toxic, creating opportunity for myriad new therapeutic modalities to be developed. We have prioritised and developed in-house a range of constructs with functional domains to address the current challenges in the cell therapy sector, but are ready to deliver bespoke AMBPs to third-party cell therapy

The South West is an ideal home for CytoSeek. Unit DX has been extremely supportive to ourselves and others, and its success garners interest for its tenants from outside parties. We have excellent travel links to London and Oxford, which form two-thirds of the ‘Golden-Triangle’ of cell therapies, as well as Birmingham, home to the Mid-West Advanced

287

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Cytoseek Unit DX, Albert Road, Bristol, BS2 0XJ +44 (0) 117 331 2034 info@cytoseek.uk CYTOSEEK cytoseek

Therapies Treatment Centre. Moreover, the South-West attracts talent globally, given the city’s excellent quality of life and highranking Universities. Over the last year, CytoSeek has been accelerating progress on its development pipeline. We have generated exciting in vitro data, and within the coming months we will have in vivo data for several product candidates, taking us closer to clinical trials.

cytoseek.uk 288

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Mission

B A T H

incorporate those tests into prototype devices using microfluidics and bespoke electronics. We are a “one stop shop” working on all aspects of the product simultaneously. Our focus is on the growing market sectors of healthcare, agri-food, environmental monitoring and security. We aim to form collaborative teams across industry, the public sector and academia to address market driven challenges. We support the development of networks of interested parties both locally in the Bristol & Bath area but also building links with specific partners across the globe.

IBST’s mission can be summarised as “Sensing for Biology and Biology for Sensing”. IBST develops sensors for biological testing in the sectors of healthcare, agriculture and food technology, and uses biological principles to develop novel sensors for environmental, security and engineering applications.

About the Institute

Through this kind of collaborative working, the Institute is well placed to take an idea from conception, through fundamental research and development to preproduction prototype, in preparation for exploitation.

The Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology, launched in 2008 and based at the University of the West of England, is the first of its kind in the UK. Within our laboratories we design complex biological tests and

289

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

• • • •

B A T H

Screen printed technology Printed sensors/electronics Volatile sensing Hyperspectral imaging

IBST has a proven track record of securing funding from government organisations (Research Councils, Innovate UK, National Institute for Health Research and the European Community through European Regional Development Fund grants) and have an enviable record of running successful research and innovation projects such as the Health Tech Hub, Health Tech Accelerator Programme, Centre for Alternative Testing and In-Vitro Monitoring (CATIM), Innovation Networks and the new HTH-South West Programme.

Sharing good practice The Institute works closely with research associations and industry networks, and hosts a variety of national and international biotech conferences and coordinates networking and research events. The Insitute’s main showcase event is the International Bio-sensing Technology Conference. Launched in 2009 in Bristol, this has now become a major international conference with global attendance, underwritten by Elsevier. The conference provides a forum for accessing the most up-to-date developments in bio-sensing technology, sharing authoritative knowledge from both commercial and academic worlds, sharing best practice in the field as well as hearing about case studies of successfully integrated biosensing technologies and seeks to promote industrial research.

Who we are IBST is led by academics from both the Faculty of Environment and Technology and the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences bringing together the skills of engineers with those of chemists and biologists to address complex challenges. As well as accessing facilities and equipment across UWE, IBST have opened a 900 sq meter state of the art facility, funded by the ERDF, the LEP and UWE, that brings together under one roof all the skills required to design and build sensor systems.

This technology includes

• • • • • • • •

Novel Biomarkers for cancer and dementia Whole cell systems DNA amplification and sequencing Raman Spectroscopy Atomic force microscopy Rapid detection and point of care technologies Paramagnetic particle-based immunoassay Impedance spectroscopy

Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology ibst@uwe.ac.uk +44 (0) 117 32 81110 BioSensingTech

biosensingtech.co.uk 290

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WE ARE EXMOOR. WE ARE A LEADING TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC CONSULTANCY SPECIALISING IN CELL AND GENE THERAPIES. Cell and Gene therapies are a transformative new category of medicines, with the potential to treat, and even cure many complex, rare, life-limiting or previously untreatable diseases. Cell and gene therapies are different to “traditional” medicines, and as such have unique manufacturing needs. Many cell therapies for example can involve extracting cells from a patient or donor, modifying them and then re-injecting them into the patient. eXmoor has a depth of experience and expertise specific to Cell & Gene Therapy manufacturing, helping Cell & Gene Therapy developers to accelerate their timelines to manufacture and deliver treatments to patients faster. We are a safe and experienced pair of hands – our team has more than 500 years’ collective experience in delivering innovative end-to-end GMP cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing projects. Working across three continents we have been supporting businesses commercialise research processes, develop fully licensed facilities and take projects from donation to delivery.

ORIGIN STORY We were founded in 2004 and since our inception we have grown steadily thanks to our hands-on approach. Since 2007, we have specialised in cell & gene therapy manufacturing, designing over 31 manufacturing facilities and providing technical and strategic consultancy support to over 120 clients, on over 400 projects In 2017 we established laboratory operations in Bristol, in Future Space. We now have 230m2 of laboratory space, providing world-leading process development services. Our scientists and engineers work to enable our clients to manufacture life-changing cell and gene therapies, by designing and developing robust, scalable and cost-effective manufacturing processes.

291

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Innovation Enabler

B A T H

by Oxford Innovation (OI) on behalf of the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE).

Our approach, strategy, support, and success has allowed us to collaborate with some of the most innovative cell and gene therapy developers globally. Some of the projects we have supported include; the development of the URB and concept design for Cancer Research UK Biotherapeutics Development Unit; supporting the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Development Facility; providing process and GMP compliance through detailed engineering to Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease; and enabling MeiraGTx Gene Therapy Facility to continue to produce large scale, gene therapy process development and manufacturing.

As a business we are committed to staying in Bristol, the city has a lot to offer. Being based in Future Space has allowed us to grow and collaborate with others. We are surrounded by creativity and innovation every day as well as having two world-class universities on our doorstep, providing an amazing talent pool for us as we grow.

MILESTONES Over the next three years, we will be embarking on an ambitious expansion. We are dedicated to keeping our facilities in Bristol and contributing to the business community as we grow in numbers and size.

As testament to our innovation, our CEO, Angela Osborne, was awarded the prestigious Donald Medal, by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (ICHemE) earlier this year, in recognition of her pioneering work in the field of cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Angela is the first- ever female recipient of the award.

To name some of our milestones: We have 122 clients worldwide. 403 individual projects in cell therapy and biopharma. Operating in 13 countries on 3 continents. The eXmoor team has 500 years’ combined experience. We have designed 31 manufacturing facilities globally. eXmoor co-founded the AMC (Advanced therapy medicinal products Manufacturing Community) to build critical mass and share expertise in ATMP manufacturing. The AMC now has 170 fee-paying members, helping the industry connect.

OUR VALUES Strategy

We listen to your needs and design a project to realise your specific goals and commercial objectives.

Support We support your project from start to finish; flexibly dynamically and confidentially. We leverage the latest industry, regulatory and technology updates.

In this last quarter we have hired six new team members who will help us find and collaborate with other institutions to advance cell and therapy discoveries. We are extremely excited for what 2021 will bring.

Succeed We work as a trusted part of your team to manage the successful delivery of your project every step of the way.

The Cell and Gene Therapy sector is growing at an incredible pace, and eXmoor is excited to continue working closely with new and existing clients to help commercialise research processes, develop licensed facilities and ultimately deliver benefits to patients worldwide.

The team works with these three values in mind on every project we collaborate on, and It is a great privilege to support cutting-edge advancements in cell and gene therapies globally.

REGION

eXmoor Pharma Concepts Ltd +44 (0) 117-428-5744 info@exmoorpharma.com

We are based in the vibrant city of Bristol at the University of the West of England’s (UWE) science, tech and innovation hub, Future Space. Managed

292

eXmoor Pharma Concepts Ltd eXmoorpharma

exmoorpharma.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

OUR AWARD-WINNING APPS ARE DESIGNED BY SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPISTS TO HELP PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR VOICE.

Our company We are a husband-and-wife team based in Chipping Sodbury, a market town between Bristol and Bath. Our driving passion is to make voice therapy available to everyone wherever they are in the world by combining our expertise in speech & language therapy and technology.

Our story In 2011, Sam Brady, a Speech and Language Therapist was working with a man with Parkinson’s Disease at Frenchay hospital, Bristol, when she had the idea to use delayed auditory feedback (DAF) to help him slow his speech speed to make it clearer. Developed to aid people who stammer, this was not a technology that had been widely used in the treatment of Parkinson’s before.

Innovation Since 2009 we have expanded our portfolio and are proud to ensure that each of our apps are designed to overcome a clinical challenge for Sam, her colleagues, and patients. All our apps work on Apple and Google devices making them available to anyone with a smartphone.

Sam struggled to get hold of the equipment she needed, and in the end had to source it from a neighbouring NHS trust. Even then, once she had it, the machine was difficult to use and cumbersome. At the time her husband Garry was working as a Software designer at Hewlett Packard. Surrounded by rapidly advancing technology and the arrival of smartphones into the mainstream market, he thought it ludicrous that Sam was having to rely on outdated tech that was unavailable, unreliable, and expensive and thought there must be a better solution.

We love overcoming barriers in healthcare settings by designing and creating mobile solutions to be used in clinics as well as at home. Working and living in the Bristol Bath area has opened many opportunities for us. As a micro business, we have appreciated the support from local organisations and it is this which makes it such a desirable place to live and work. There is a genuine supportive network in the health tech field where people encourage one another.

He created a prototype of DAF on a smartphone to see if that would work. It was perfect: easy to use, inexpensive and most importantly available anywhere. “DAF Pro” was the first in the series of our apps which are now used by hundreds of thousands of people in over 170 countries worldwide.

The future Health apps are part of a new wave of technologies being embraced by patients, charities, and professional health organisations alike. As a result, health care can now be delivered and monitored in new and innovative ways and we are so proud to be a part of this exciting healthcare evolution.

Since then, we have established ourselves as the leading voice analysis app company in the world, and are being used by more and more speech and language therapists, researchers, universities and patients.

293

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Milestones 2011 DAF Pro We launched our first app to help people slow their rate of speech.

2012 Swallow Prompt Our second app was created to help people manage excess saliva.

2013 Voice Analyst We created Voice Analyst to make voice analysis available and affordable to clinicians and their patients for the first time.

2016 Christella VoiceUp We partnered with Christella Antoni to design and create an app to make her voice feminisation therapy accessible to all.

2017 One Minute WarmUp We created our fifth app in partnership with Vocal Process, leading vocal coaches, to create vocal exercises to keep voices healthy and strong.

2018 Parkinson’s UK Voice Analyst and Swallow Prompt passed the rigorous testing by Our Mobile Health and Parkinson’s UK in order to be listed on their app library.

2019 ORCHA Our apps were tested and approved by ORCHA, world leaders in app testing for health care providers worldwide such as the NHS.

2020 Medilink South West Award for Digital Health We won our first award! Voice Analyst was recognised for its impact on digital health worldwide with over 1 million recordings analysed in over 170 countries and counting!

support@speechtools.co SpeechToolsapps Speechtools Ltd

ORCHA Covid-19 App Library Voice Analyst and Swallow Prompt were included on ORCHA’s Covid-19 app library.

speechtools.co 294

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Getting the RIGHT levels of support for vulnerable people.

B A T H

Before I put my stuff in the washing machine, I use the App for dusting, hoovering, and changing my bedding”. AutonoMe Service User

Founded in 2015 by combining his skills in video production and his life expertise is helping vulnerable people overcome barriers to their independence, William Britton aims to make a huge impact on the industry so close to his heart. “We’re an EdTech provider that supports vulnerable people across Education and Social Care. We’ve supported people from 12 years old all the way up to those in their early 70s. We focus our support on vulnerable people such as those with learning disabilities, mental health needs and care leavers across Education and Social Care. We help support them with developing and maintaining a wide variety of independent living skills such as preparing and cooking food, cleaning the house or employability skills. AutonoMe works closely with Local Governments, Education and Social Care providers across the country and their key partners to complement the way they support vulnerable residents and students to improve outcomes. What makes AutonoMe special is that support with activities is not delivered in the traditional method; that is, by a person. Instead, AutonoMe provides high-quality tailored video guidance delivered through the App with home and work-based activities as and when the user chooses. This enables Education, Local Governments and Social Care providers to combine traditional teaching and support methods with technology to cost effectively develop and maintain independence in a modern way that understands and meets the needs of their population. “By monitoring the way our users interact with our App, our team is able to study this data and provide continuous feedback to the client and their key partners”.

Bristol has an excellent ecosystem to start a tech company that AutonoMe has clearly benefited from. Through this ecosystem, AutonoMe had access to workshops, meeting space, investors, thought leaders, experts, legal advice, marketing, board members, mentors, staff members, and much more. Bristol has a thriving tech scene keen to share openly and honestly what it takes to found a company and scale it up and the support you’ll need along the way.

Since founding AutonoMe, William Britton has brought together a team of industry experts to continuously study and interpret user data in line with individual outcomes. The team provides reports, using real-time data as evidence, to help the authority ensure users are getting the right levels of support at the right time. “Our vision is to become the EdTech provider for vulnerable people in the country, helping thousands of people with various challenges each day overcome barriers to independence. Using our data to measure and celebrate their success whilst working closely with the Social Care, Healthcare and Education sector to build data-driven services fit for the 21st century”.

“The opportunities I had to meet and network with other tech founders with big ambitions was pivotal to building the foundations of the company. Being able to gather expertise and insight from a variety of people who have been there and done it was incredibly beneficial not just to the company but for my personal journey as a founder-turned-CEO”.

295

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We strive to make the girls as independent as possible. One is very capable in the kitchen, and the App really developed her skills. We’ve taken a massive step backward in our involvement since using AutonoMe”. Support Worker helping an AutonoMe user

Reflecting on the advice and skills needed to build a company, William explained that “communication is key – if you can’t communicate your ideas in a way people can digest or understand then you don’t have a business. You’ll need to communicate with your clients, staff, suppliers, investors, mentors, and board all the time. Spend time working on this skill and it will pay dividends”.

It’s amazing. I absolutely love using the App. It’s helped me a lot along the way”.

“I founded AutonoMe when I was in my late 20s with lots of naive optimism. I didn’t realise at the time I would be poor for a long time – accepting that is wise! I do question myself a lot but I’ve always been able to remain clear about who I am, what I stand for, and what I want to achieve. This has helped me get a great team of people around me who can really see and add value to the vision. We’re successful because we have a great team and everyone works really hard. For others looking to start their own company, I’d say “get in good people who can see what you’re trying to build and make sure they share your vision”.

AutonoMe Service User

Engine Shed Station Approach Bristol, South West BS1 6QH info@autono.me.uk +44 (0) 117 205 0654

Milestones Raised over £900,000 equity investment Delivery partners for NHS Digital and Local Government Social Care Digital Innovation Accelerator 2020/21 Cambridge Social Ventures Prizewinner 2019 Digital Leaders ‘Public Innovation’ finalists 2019 UnLTD Grow IT award 2016 IoTUK Health and Social Care ‘best user design’ Prizewinner 2016 Start-up of the Year 2015 finalist

twitter.com/AutonoMeNews facebook.com/AutonoMeNews AutonoMe

autono.me.uk 296

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

COMPANION ROBOTICS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Service Robotics Ltd was set up to help solve one of society's most pressing challenges – that of older adult independent living – by the use of companion robotics. Our GenieConnect® solution is a service platform that uses a friendly Robot user interface to enable extended independent living for older adults, by alleviating loneliness, enabling virtual care provision, and providing engagement and stimulus. The company was set up by Rob Parkes and Tim Morgan, in Bristol, following their own first hand experiences of the difficult transition to enforced independence experienced by their family members due to bereavement. Service Robotics operates in a B2B (business-to-business) model with partners in the Care sector to bring together the benefits of the GenieConnect® solution to end users. Initially, our customers will be domiciliary care providers and communal living facility operators.

LONELINESS ALLEVIATION

“THE VIDEO ALLOWS ME TO SEE THE USER AND CHECK THAT THEY ARE IN GOOD HEALTH”

Loneliness is recognised as one of the most urgent problems of modern living. In the UK there are almost 4 million adults over 65 living alone, and this population is rapidly growing. Notably, the UK was the first country to appoint a minister for loneliness in recognition of urgency of this issue.

Image: A virtual care agent uses the dedicated portal

- Care Manager

Unfortunately, our disconnected health and social care systems struggle to quantify this problem, and therefore it is chronically underfunded. The GenieConnect® solution provides a practical solution to families across the UK struggling to manage the loneliness and isolation of their older family members. For the user, simple voice commands such as “Genie, call Julie” opens a video call between the robot and a close relative, using the ‘Companion’ app. The app enables companions to make and receive calls via their smartphone and schedule medication or other reminders and events that can be spoken by Genie to the user. Image: Molly, GenieConnect® Pilot User

297

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

VIRTUAL CARE PROVISION Even before Covid-19, our Social Care systems were under tremendous pressure. The effect of this has seen increased forced isolation of older adults, affecting not only delivery of care but human contact and companionship. A primary problem we see with independent older adults, is that health problems are often exacerbated by poor medication regimes. In many Local Authority areas, 15-minute domiciliary care visits are commissioned solely for medication compliance. These visits are uneconomic for care providers and deeply dissatisfying for both the caregiver and care-receiver. Our simple first use case for GenieConnect® is delivery of regular medication compliance and welfare check virtual visits via the Genie robot. This is supplemental to physical visits, and our pilot projects have shown it can be an important element of a care regime that delivers better care outcomes for the care receiver, care provider and family members. Image: Care Provider virtual checks

“SHE ASKS ME HOW I AM FEELING AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS PRESENT HERE” - GenieConnect® User

Image: Support in progress

Starting in 2021 Service Robotics will work with a selected number of care providers to deploy 100 robots as part of our soft launch, to prove the virtual care approach. Our commercial launch later in the year will be the opportunity for additional care providers with ambitions to use technology to deliver better care, to join us and we urge them to contact us to discuss the way forward. Service Robotics Ltd is proud to be working towards a B Corp certification as we ethically deliver our mission to improve the lives of the less able and vulnerable through assistive technology.

genieconnect.co.uk Service Robotics Limited

Telephone: +44 (0) 117 428 5770 Email: information@serviceroboticsltd.co.uk Future Space, UWE North Gate, Filton Road, Bristol BS34 8RB GenieConnect® is a registered trademark of Service Robotics Limited

298

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND CARE ACROSS BRISTOL, NORTH SOMERSET AND SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

The Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) mission is to generate significant health gain and improvements in service delivery in the region by integrating, promoting and developing our strengths in health services, research, innovation and education.

These organisations have formed the Partnership voluntarily, and we are funded by contributions from the partners. As a membership organisation, we are able to understand and serve the needs of our partners and local population, rather than the agenda of a distant funding body.

We are a strategic collaboration between the city region’s universities, major health and care providers and commissioners, covering the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.

The partnership includes commissioning and public health, which is rare among England’s health partnerships, giving a broader interpretation of

299

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

health and its determinants. This broader membership means we do not focus solely on illness, but also address lifelong health and how to prevent illness in the first place. We work primarily through our pioneering and unique Health Integration Team (HIT) model. Our HITs bring together the best people from across the Partnership, networks and beyond to tackle health priorities by working in new ways, harnessing the best research, innovation, care and education, while collaborating with patients and the public to have a whole system approach. Our designation as an Academic Health Science Centre by NHS England, NHS Improvement and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on 1st April 2020 recognises the outstanding local collaborations between academia, public health, the NHS, social care and the voluntary and community sector that we have created across the region.

“We should be proud of the outstanding local partnerships we have created and our resulting recognition as a national centre of excellence.” “We will work together to develop and deliver novel, evidence-based treatments and health and care innovations across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, promoting best practice to improve outcomes for our local population.”

Our vision is to unite our excellence in healthcare provision, research and innovation, education and training to deliver healthier lives, through improved prevention of illness and disease and better integration of health and care services.

The initial focus of Bristol Health Partners AHSC will be on inequalities in health and care, mental health and children and young people (with a specific focus on COVID and adverse childhood experiences).

We want our region to be known for: • Equal and fair access, experience and outcome, by tackling health deprivation and inequalities in care in inner-city, rural and coastal communities; • The excellence of the care we commission and provide, underpinned by cutting-edge research and innovation, education and patient and public involvement; • Connectedness and collaboration, delivered by a committed, welltrained and research-literate workforce.

The long-term plan over the next five years will be for the Partnership to focus on six key areas including public health and prevention; mental health and neuroscience; cardiovascular science; surgical innovation; perinatal, reproductive and children’s health and delivering integrated, optimal and equitable care across the region.

Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Whitefriars, 9th Floor, Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NT Lisa King or Oliver Watson, hello@bristolhealthpartners.org.uk, +44 (0)117 903 7546 bristolhealthp Bristol Health Partners

Professor David Wynick, Director of the Bristol Health Partners AHSC commented: “The importance of collaboration across research, health and social care has never been greater than we have seen with COVID-19. From the rapid creation of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol to supporting national testing and vaccine trials, the strength of these partnerships is reflected in how local expertise and resources are coming together in response to COVID-19.”

bristolhealthpartners.org.uk 300

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH HEALTHCARE INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION

We live in an exciting era of healthcare innovation, with a stream of new technologies and services coming onto the market. As a result of Covid-19, we’ve also been living in an era of unprecedented challenges to our health and care services.

Embedded in the regional health and care economy with links to industry, research bodies and universities, we are in a unique position to:

The West of England Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) is right at the heart of the transformation of our regional healthcare system. And as one of 15 AHSNs across England commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Office for Life Sciences to improve health and drive economic growth, we also benefit from being part of a national network.

• • •

•

• •

Here in the West of England we are interacting with over 500 companies working in digital health and care technology, informatics and life sciences. This is a significant focus for us to build on, so if you are an innovator working in this space or a healthcare professional looking to source innovations, we would love to hear from you.

Build workforce capability to deliver change and adopt new ways of working Support culture and leadership Bring evidence into practice Identify gaps and priorities and signpost proven solutions or develop new ones Provide space for people to connect and collaborate Share lessons and best practice

We understand healthcare and we understand innovators. We work to identify what is needed to support healthcare, and use our networks to identify and nurture innovation to meet those needs. With our unique expertise and cross-sector connections, we understand both the ‘push and pull’ of demand on healthcare innovation.

301

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The role of the West of England AHSN is to aid and support individuals and organisations through this journey as both a champion and critical friend. We help ensure NHS organisations and staff are equipped and in the right place to adopt innovation. We help to build health and care ecosystems, with the culture, leadership and pathways ready to accept and maximise new ways of working. Find out more about the resources and learning events on offer through our West of England Academy to support innovative thinking and working in health and care at www.weahsn.net/west-of-englandacademy. We have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the healthcare innovation pipeline – from seed-funding and incubator support for new product development; feasibility studies and real world evaluation; through to commercialisation, procurement, spread and adoption.

While NHS organisations might be clear on the need to embrace the opportunities offered by the latest innovations to transform healthcare delivery, improve patient experience and reduce costs, it isn’t always easy to know where to start or which sales pitch to trust.

Visit our Innovation Exchange, the place for healthcare innovators to find expertise, funding, support and collaborators: www.innovationexchange.co.uk.

The health and care landscape can be equally confusing to navigate for innovators. How do you know what the current gaps and needs are? Where can you get meaningful feedback on your idea or product? How do you sell to the NHS?

Because our team has inside, in-depth knowledge of both NHS and private sector systems, structures and cultures, we are well-placed to broker relationships and create collaborations that drive lasting change for our healthcare services and bring genuine benefit to patients and the population.

This is where the West of England AHSN comes in. We are the bridge linking all the key players with a role in innovating healthcare, bringing together patients and public, the NHS, social care, industry, researchers and academics, and the voluntary sector.

To find out more about our work and to see how we might be able to support yours, visit www.weahsn.net. South Plaza Marlborough Street Bristol BS1 3NX

But we’re not simply a match-making service. While an important aspect of our work is to help the NHS to identify solutions in which to invest and companies to partner with, we have a much greater role.

West of England Academic Health Science Network WEAHSN

Future Space UWE North Gate, Filton Road Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8RB

302

weahsn.net

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Digital Health at the University of Bristol

The University of Bristol (UoB) is a research-intensive University with a global reputation ranked in the world’s top 60 and the UK’s top 10 in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Health, Life Sciences and Digital Health are areas of strength with world class teaching, research and enterprise development. UoB is passionate about economic and societal impact, successfully cultivating close relationships with many business and civil society organisations, regionally, nationally and internationally. Our partners include world leading pharma and digital technologies companies, the NHS and other healthcare providers and suppliers, leveraging over £80 million of R&D funding per year.

The University of Bristol and its partners are extremely excited about the future of health and life sciences in the region catalysed by the growing community of multidisciplinary researchers and innovators who are taking their work from discovery to application”

Digital Health and Health Data Science: Fostering collaborative interdisciplinary research

Prof. John Iredale, Pro-Vice Chancellor Health and Life Sciences, University of Bristol

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown so clearly, the future of health is digital, with new and improved technologies required every day for understanding, preventing, diagnosing and managing illnesses that

303

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

challenge the sustainability of health systems. All these technologies will be built on the analysis of extremely heterogeneous data, some of it collected routinely in the process of delivering healthcare, but increasing amounts being provided by the patient – self-report from their smartphone, interactions with an online resource such as a virtual GP, data from their wearable or even retail data.

B A T H

receiving £45M to advance gene therapy treatment of chronic kidney diseases. Our community continues to growth with the recent launches of the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) and the Wellcome Trust PhD programmes in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology; and in Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology. These programmes will exploit revolutionary technologies in imaging, informatic and data analysis to transform our understanding of health and disease from molecular level to large scale populations. Over the next 5 years we will have a community of over 150 staff and students working in biotech, infotech and advanced therapies.

UoB has been one of the first to embrace this transformation as an interdisciplinary area where successful innovation requires a collaborative development of new digital technologies which puts patients and health professionals at the centre of the stage. In order to nurture talented people in this emerging space, the University has created the UK’s only PhD programme in Digital Health, which takes students from Engineering, Psychology, Computer Science, Maths and Medicine backgrounds and fosters multidisciplinary teamwork, responsible innovation and entrepreneurship. This runs alongside a 1 year taught Masters in Digital Health and over the next 5 years we will have a community of over 200 staff and students in Digital Health.

Health, Life Sciences and Digital Health: a rapidly growing emerging sector in Bristol and the West of England. Our shared goal is to create a thriving health & life sciences eco-system in the region for which the University of Bristol provide an excellent and supportive environment for both discovery and applied research; as well as a pipeline of talent in the next generation of leaders and scientists in various disciplines, from medicine and dentistry, to bioscience, psychology, bioinformatics, and digital health. An overall community of over 7000 students, 650 post-doctoral researchers and 1500 staff.

Biotech, Infotech and Advanced Therapies: Ground-breaking research and innovation UoB houses the largest concentration of bioscience researchers within the South West of the UK. The breadth and depth of our research enables strong interdisciplinary links from physical sciences and engineering all the way through to medical and clinical research.

UoB has played a key role in Bristol’s rapidly developing innovation ecosystem with 25 spinouts in Health, Life Sciences and Digital Health and a pipeline of more than 100 assets with a broad scope of opportunities, from cardiovascular to renal, cell engineering, synthetic biology, digital health and bioinformatics. We are extremely excited about the future of the sector in the region with all of our stablished and new partners.

Researchers at Bristol are breaking new ground with development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, including cell and gene therapies, which are currently making significant clinical and commercial impact. Highlights include spin-out companies, CytoSeek and Purespring Therapeutics. Cytoseek is developing the next generation of cell therapies to treat cancer using its pioneering cell-membrane augmentation technology. Purespring Therapeutics, has recently secured one of the largest single investments made to a new UK university biotech company

Digital Health +44 (0) 117 928 9000 University of Bristol, Beacon House Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK.

304

digitalhealth

bristol.ac.uk

CHAPTER 15

FOOD & DRINK

“Sometimes in life, when you can’t find what you need, it’s time to make it yourself.” — ELLIE WEBB, FOUNDER

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE STORY SO FAR! About us Caleño is a range of distilled non-alcoholic spirits inspired by the sundrenched spirit of Colombia that take you seamlessly from day to night. Light & Zesty is a tropical blend of Inca berry, citrus and spice botanicals and Dark & Spicy, a warming infusion of dark tropical pineapple notes and ginger and kola nut spices for those bare-legged balmy nights. Time to set your spirit free?

Creating “The joy of not drinking” Caleño exists to help create more moments of joy in people’s lives. We seek to look at the bigger picture and the smallest moments that thread together to create a brighter, bolder and more vibrant way of living.

Process of distillation We’re a passionate bunch which means we spend time getting things just right, or ‘perfecto’ as they say in Colombia. Our distillation process is a thing of joy. We hunt down the tastiest tropical ingredients and spices before distilling and blending our two unique flavours inside modern stainless-steel drums. We distil for 48 hours extracting our zingy, zesty and spicy exotic flavours, and by day two everything smells incredible. This joyful distillation is then left to mature for another two weeks before we bottle and bring along to our next fiesta!

Sometimes in life, when you can’t find what you need, it’s time to make it yourself Caleño was born out of personal frustration. Founder Ellie was on an alcohol-free night out with friends, getting down to some Latin funk. But something was bugging her. Why should not drinking mean not having fun? She felt uninspired by the alcohol-free drinks on offer and decided it was time to bring some joy to not drinking. Caleño first came to life in Ellie’s kitchen, but it was 5,000 miles later, on a trip back to Colombia, when she felt re-inspired by her Latin roots. After soaking up the vibrant colours, tropical flavours and Latin beats of her

307

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

I bought a load of botanicals online and started experimenting and playing around with different ingredients in my kitchen in Bristol, seeing what kind of flavours I could extract. I was determined to create something that tasted more like the adult-type drinks I was used to drinking, had complexity of flavour, interesting ingredients, and also reminded me of my favourite place in the world… Colombia (hence the Inca berry!).

Bristol Bristol is a brilliant hub for new entrepreneurial businesses. When I first started the business, I visited around 100+ pubs and bars, who I asked for feedback on the product I was developing. I’ve also worked with Outset West, where I had access to key mentors.

Caleño key moments 2017 – first got serious about Caleño 2018 – Ellie left her job in Bristol 2019 – Launched into 500 Sainsbury’s stores and employed my first employee

family’s homeland, she returned home to bottle it. Fuelled by that Latin positivity, Ellie set out to infuse the sun-drenched flavours of Colombia with her non-alcoholic spirits. The result? Caleño. Non-alcoholic spirits, for anyone, anytime, anywhere.

How did the journey begin? (Told by Ellie) So, I guess my whole journey essentially began a few years ago, back in January 2017. It was a culmination of things, but mainly, I was looking to cut back on my drinking after Christmas. There was one night in Bristol, I remember going out to a Latin Funk music night with some friends, and I’d offered to drive (as I wasn’t drinking). My friends ordered the usual gin and tonics, craft beers, whilst I was left drinking a diet coke and then water… Not quite as exciting, and it was quite frustrating. Coming from a background in the alcohol industry, it got me thinking. There is literally so much choice in the world of spirits and alcohol, but if you’re suddenly not then drinking, what the hell do you drink? I knew I couldn’t drink soft drinks all night, and water felt incredibly boring. A few months later I took a trip back to Colombia. I spent a lot of time with family (my mum’s side is from there) and also travelled around the country, visiting Cali, Medellin, Bogota, the coffee region and the coastal towns of Cartagena and Santa Marta. Whilst I was there I experienced the warm, happy upbeat/sunny nature of the Colombian people, who are relentlessly optimistic, open-minded and are always finding an excuse to celebrate/party!! It was there that it kind of dawned on me what the non-alcoholic space was lacking. When you don’t drink, people accuse you of being boring, and that’s just not the case, it’s the drinks that are dull. It needed a massive injection of fun and excitement, and that’s when I decided that was what my drink was going to do. I guess from there my vision for the drink was pretty clear.

Caleño Drinks 470 Bath Rd, Arno’s Vale, Bristol BS4 3AP, United Kingdom Caleño Drinks calenodrinks

calenodrinks.com 308

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERYDAY COOKING FUN

Cookpad is a tech company working to reconnect the world with everyday cooking. We believe that cooking is the key to a happier and healthier life for people, communities and the planet.

An engineer by training, Aki wanted to use technology to help solve problems around everyday cooking, so established the recipe sharing service which grew into a vibrant community long before other social media networks came into existence. Today, more than 50% of the Japanese population uses Cookpad at least once a month.

The choices we make shape our world. And when we cook, the choices we make have an impact on ourselves, the people we cook for, the growers and producers we buy from and the wider environment.

After a decade of successful growth, Cookpad started its international expansion in 2013, with the aim of bringing our mission to everyone in the world. Funded by our Japanese business but managed independently with its own product team and platform, our recipe sharing service is available in over 70 countries and more than 30 languages. With over 5.5 million recipes shared on Cookpad to-date, we’re currently the largest and the only truly global recipe sharing platform in the world… and we’re just getting started.

By solving the issues related to everyday cooking and helping more people to cook, we believe we can help build a better world.

Who we are Cookpad was founded in 1997 in Japan by Aki Sano, who realised the global population was becoming less connected to food and the environment and this was having a negative effect on our individual and collective well-being. Aki decided to focus on cooking because cooking is ubiquitously human, connecting us with those we buy our ingredients from, cook for and eat with, thus affecting everything from our own health, to the health of our families, society and the planet.

What makes us different Cookpad celebrates and provides technology-enabled solutions for creators along the food value chain. All of the content on our recipe sharing app is user generated, therefore everything has been tried and tested by home cooks, for home cooks. Our primary revenue model is subscription.

309

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Cookpad is a product-first, technology company. We are held in high regard for our many open-source contributions, long history of supporting tech communities and our expertise in running a large global service at scale. Our mission is at the centre of everything we do; our articles of incorporation state that once our mission is achieved we will dissolve as an entity.

Our team In 2017, Cookpad established its global HQ in Bristol. Selected among the top cities and countries in Europe, we chose Bristol, not only because it was one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in Europe and one of the most forward-thinking, innovative and dynamic places in the UK, but also because of its vibrant food culture.

of highly talented product managers, designers and engineers who focus on issues with potential for big impact, think innovatively and act boldly to achieve our mission. The world has changed a lot since 1997. But, the ideas that Cookpad was founded on remain the same; they are at the very heart of our mission, our business and our future.

From offices near Temple Meads, our team of more than 100 product managers, designers and engineers are working with our community teams around the world to develop a recipe sharing platform and cooking community to enable home cooks to share and find daily cooking inspiration. In addition, thanks to our team of rapid prototyping innovators, we’re constantly experimenting with new and exciting product and business ideas along the food value chain.

Cookpad uk-enquiries@cookpad.com CookpadUK Cookpad_UK cookpad

Our mission and vision are long-term. We realise that everyday home cooking is facing more competition than ever and unless we make a difference, it is at risk of becoming a hobby at best. We are growing a team

310

cookpad.com cookpadteam.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

LETTUS GROW IS BUILDING VERTICAL FARMS THAT WILL IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY, LOCAL FOOD SECURITY AND HELP TO FEED THE NEXT GENERATION.

LettUs Grow’s aeroponic technology and farm management software deliver higher crop yields, reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and make farmers’ lives easier. We are dedicated to making sustainable farming a sustainable business. We want to ensure that the farmers, growers and entrepreneurs who are choosing this eco-friendly method of growing can rely on a stable and profitable business model; we believe our technology can reward choosing ethical and environmentally conscious business decisions by reducing the risk from the market.

Our technology LettUs Grow’s technological innovation lies in the development of a nozzle-free aeroponic technology that dramatically improves the operational efficiency of vertical farms. As well as enabling drastic improvements in crop growth rate and yields, our systems can be operated year-round, use up to 95% less water and need no pesticides. Our farms are simple to operate and are low maintenance, so they are ideal for the entrepreneur with a busy lifestyle, or the diversifying farmer who already has crops or animals to attend to. Our systems can be adopted by a wide range of people who can all supply food from urban, peri-urban and rural areas.

Our story LettUs Grow was founded in Bristol in 2015 by University of Bristol alumni Charlie Guy, Jack Farmer and Ben Crowther. Over the years, we have developed our patent-pending technology to create vertical farms that can bring resilience to our food supply networks and will be key to the future of sustainable farming. The weaknesses of our global supply networks are becoming evermore exposed and we must concentrate our efforts on ensuring that we can supply fresh, healthy food to our growing populations. As our soils become more degraded and precious resources are pushed into a struggling agricultural system, we believe our technology can support and supplement our current food production methods. As well as focusing on how vertical farms can benefit our plants and planet, over the years our engineering team has worked alongside growers and farmers to ensure that our products can truly better the lives of our customers and the people they feed.

Growing up in Bristol We can’t imagine a better place than in Bristol to be working towards our mission. There is a real spirit of community and grassroots activism in Bristol which helps spur on projects like ours. Our vision for the future of climate-resilient, resource-efficient farming is central to our success. When it comes to environmental activism, Bristol is leading the way - Bristol was the first UK authority to declare a climate emergency and recently the City Council declared our ecological emergency. Our mission and work consistently reflects and contributes to Bristol’s commitment to nature, wildlife and a better quality of life for all residents.

311

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Diversity and openness We believe diversity and openness are key to driving success and innovation. Bristol is home to some amazing organisations doing the work to promote inclusivity and diversity in the tech industry and we are proud to work with them on the journey to equality. Temi Odanye, our Product Development Lead at LettUs Grow, says, “eating food is something that everyone does, it’s a problem that affects everyone everywhere. We will need solutions that work for different people, groups, locations and cultures. Anyone from any background is already qualified to think about these challenges and suggest solutions. It seems obvious to me that the broader the range of viewpoints, experiences, ideologies and areas of expertise, the better a problem is understood.”

Empowering growers At LettUs Grow, we want to empower growers to provide healthy, fresh produce to those who need it most. With our technology they can do so, but not at the expense of the planet, their business or own quality of life. Vertical farms can bring food production closer to the consumer: bringing with it the opportunity to show people how their food is grown. In a world increasingly disconnected from where our food comes from, these farms can educate, bring job opportunities and inspire the next generation of growers.

LettUs Grow info@lettusgrow.com LettUsGrow LettUs-Grow

lettusgrow.com

312

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE GLOBAL FOOD INDUSTRY THROUGH THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MICROENCAPSULATED FLAVOURINGS AND FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS

B A T H

TasteTech is a family-owned business based in Bristol which specialises in the design and manufacture of controlled release food flavourings and functional ingredients. Since our incorporation in 1992, we have been at the forefront of microencapsulation technology, offering pioneering solutions to leading food manufacturers worldwide. We offer creative solutions to the bakery, confectionery, chewing gum, nutrition, and beverage markets but there are many sectors of the food industry and beyond that could benefit from our expertise. Our range of products can increase shelf life, improve taste and texture, protect key ingredients from moisture and contamination, mask bitter notes, enhance flavours and reduce cost-in-use. The Sinton family, Roger, Janis and their three young children, moved from East Anglia in 1989, and were settling well into their new life in Bristol. However just before Christmas 1991 Roger’s boss called him to a meeting in the United States where Roger was informed that their Bristol factory, for which he was responsible, was being closed and most employees were being made redundant, including him. This was the second redundancy that the family had suffered but this time they were determined to take control of their own destiny. Roger had an idea to adapt an encapsulation process used in the printing industry which would offer an oil soluble powder alternative to spray drying for the food industry. So TasteTech was incorporated in August 1992 with financial backing from various sources and no guaranteed sales! Tragically Roger died in 2007 following a short illness but Janis took up the reins and their son, Rob, joined the business too. It has been an interesting journey, growing organically and reinvesting the profits, but today we ship products to over 40 countries and are constantly looking to extend our global footprint. There is no limit to our potential

313

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

apart from the eventual physical limits of our current site. However, we are looking to remedy this with a factory move in the next few years which will allow us to continue our growth and expansion into the future. The success of TasteTech is dependent on identifying future flavouring trends, improving performance of ingredients, the latest technology, and the best results for our customers. Innovation is at the heart of what we do, our business and product development processes are designed to promote creativity and thought leadership, which enables us to stay ahead of the game when it comes to market trends. Our cutting-edge technologies, including Core Shell and Matrix encapsulation, Spray Drying and Powder Stabilisation techniques, enable food manufacturers to achieve increased shelf life, improved flavour impact, cost savings and a wide range of product innovation opportunities. It was innovation that enabled us to get TasteTech started back in 1992. Innovation is crucial to the success and sustainability of TasteTech. It is a key part of our DNA. We have to be aware of the future trends in the food industry to ensure that we have the right products to offer our customers when they need them. Over the past 10 years we have built a strong R&D/NPD/Applications team that work closely with our Sales Team to deliver technical support to our customers. Indeed, many of our customers look on us as an extension of their R&D/ NPD Team! We know that our potential for growth is limitless and we owe it to our loyal and dedicated group of employees to secure their future employment through managing this growth as efficiently and effectively as possible. A purpose-built factory is not only our dream but is also essential if the company is to continue to thrive in the future as regulations become tighter, and if we are to achieve our longer term goals particularly relating to sustainability and ecocredentials. Our strong desire to remain an independent family-owned business is evident. With Rob taking up the reins from Janis in the next couple of years, it will be the next generation that drives the growth and success of TasteTech into the future making this goal very achievable. 314

B A T H

Taste Tech Ltd +44 (0) 117-971-2719 info@tastetech.com tastetech-ltd tastetech

tastetech.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE FREEDOM TO THINK AND CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO IS CLOSE TO THE HEART OF EVERY EMPLOYEE AT THE PARK. The Park is a multi-award-winning drinks manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility in Bristol. Combining innovation, outstanding quality and sustainability to package over 30m 9Le cases each year.

understanding, but the impetus that drives the delivery from concept through to implementation is a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork and pride that runs through the entire organisation.

In 2018 The Park won the prestigious award ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ by TMX Manufacturer Awards. Also notably achieving three consecutive Sustainable Manufacturer of Year titles and the highest scores possible within multiple professional quality audits – including British Retail Consortium Global Standard, International Food Standard and all major retailers’ audits. The consistent quality of our product forms an integral part of our manufacturing process, where manufacturing teams are in complete control of all the quality attributes that our customers tell us are important to them, maintaining a World Class complaints per million unit.

An on-site dedicated Innovation Centre is the ideal showcase for product innovation and design, facilitating the speed of decision making and creating pace and agility that sets The Park apart from its competitors. The Product Development Team is able to draw on the expertise of the entire supply network, through the well-established and constantly evolving Supplier Development Program. Building strategic relationships with key suppliers ensures that innovation has maximum advantage through collaboration; pooling resources, connecting technical teams and making decisions that take a holistic view to deliver maximum value for the customer. This is also supported by the annual Supplier Expo, connecting empowered cross-functional teams with latest technologies and delivering tangible benefits such as the widespread adoption of digital variable print technology.

Much of this success has been driven by a 10-year transformation, which turned The Park into a role model applying lean manufacturing techniques to revolutionise modern business. Using their industry experience and academic knowledge, The Park team has created a bespoke Lean model. Driving a Mission is to transform the drinks industry with agile, bespoke solutions utilising our scale and sustainable footprint.

The Park is constantly innovating to improve processes and efficiencies; the already world class level wine loss is moving into the next stage of development. WineView is at the forefront of technologies driving Industry 4.0, choosing an industry leading strategic partner to design and implement a proof of concept technology. By utilising the growing area of Machine Learning coupled with Artificial Intelligence to investigate how

The freedom to think and challenge the status quo is close to the heart of every employee at The Park. Robust process and formal frameworks ensure that innovation is driven from consumer and shopper

315

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

a self-learning and adaptive wine management system could be used to drive wine yield to unprecedented levels. The drive to maximise value have been demonstrated by introduction of Smart Asset technology and 3D printing. Smart Assets enable the accurate prediction of machine failure and enable the transition from scheduled to predictive maintenance. The suite of 3D printers print the most commonly used parts at 10% of the purchase price, reducing inventory and cost. Future trend analysis and category insights ensure the site strategy roadmap is aligned with New Product Development. The importance of sustainability and shopper convenience is reflected in recent investments. The site has a key focus on Sustainability, becoming zero waste to landfill in 2017. A colossal 2.5MW wind turbine dominates the skyline as you enter the carbon neutral site providing 100% renewable energy. Leaders keep moving forward and with the introduction of a new canning line and the automation of the warehouse this year, The Park shows its commitment to staying one step ahead of the competition. With a new production line specifically for innovation adds to the extensive range of formats already available, ensuring that the Park can pack the format for any occasion. In a category where over 80% buying decisions are made at the point of purchase, providing differentiated products is essential.

The Park’s core business will always be wine, but by transferring this wine expertise to a truly diverse product and format range it seeks to provide the complete drinks solution.

The Park +44 (0) 740-289-1309 Zoe.Tonking@thepark.info the-park-drinks

thepark.info accoladewines.com 316

“Pop culture and entertainment can be dismissed as surface, but it’s not. It’s the language we all speak, and it’s the connection point between people all over the world.” — BOZOMA SAINT JOHN, CMO NETFLIX

CHAPTER 16

ENTERTAINMENT

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

DIALECT INC.

WE ARE A GLOBAL AGENCY AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF DIGITAL MARKETING; BALANCING CREATIVITY, MEDIA PLANNING AND DATA ANALYTICS TO ENGAGE CONSUMERS GLOBALLY FOR TECH AND GAMING BRANDS INCLUDING NVIDIA, LOGITECH, BLUE, AMAZON AND DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. 319

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

channel strategies for social media platforms from YouTube to TikTok. Data underpins all of Dialect’s activity. Understanding the audience, building content and media plans, measuring how they respond, optimising the creative and media plans all require data and insights. And this is where Dialect has focused its innovation.

Dialect works with the biggest tech and gaming companies in the world helping them find and engage their audience at the right time, in the right place, with the most effective message. To do this requires us to find the balance between the art and science of engagement; the art being the creative, the emotional hook... the heart. The science being data analytics, campaign optimisation… the head.

We were one of the very first agencies to connect eyeball to wallet attribution, tracking the effectiveness of content and media all the way to an Amazon purchase in the US & Canada. We have also developed a proprietary data platform, Dialect’s Data Desk, which gives our clients a 360 view beyond their specific media campaign, allowing them to plug in a host of other data sources covering social listening, search analysis, share of voice and ecommerce sales data to get a much broader view than just their campaign metrics.

DATA UNDERPINS EVERYTHING To get the balance right, everything we do has to start with the audience. We need a deep understanding of the audience at each stage of their online journey. Who they are, where they interact, how they search for information, how they speak and what their motivations are. Once we understand this, we can build highly effective content strategies and media plans for brand and product campaigns and we can create successful

320

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

321

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE ROAD TO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP We have come a long way. In 2011, Dialect’s founders John Gower and Jack McHenry were working out of John’s living room in the Mission district of San Francisco, with a handful of team members creating content that helped brands create loyalty. They analysed the typical user journeys online and on mobile to understand the power of content as an engagement tool and applied this knowledge to help brands retain customers. In 2015, this same approach was applied to acquiring new customers for brands, at all stages of the funnel (awareness, consideration and conversion) - again using the right type of content placed where the right audience would see and engage with it. This method gained traction and in 2016 the UK office was established (initially in Bristol and then Bath) to allow us to gain access to digital marketing and creative talent in the region. Since then, Dialect has grown. 2020 revenues are up 140% year-on-year to $11.9m, with offices now in San Francisco, LA, Toronto, London and Bath, and an ever expanding team.

SUCCESS THROUGH OUR PEOPLE The success of this growth strategy is totally dependent on Dialect’s people. The leadership team have set themselves the objective of developing the best possible agency culture to recruit, develop and retain the best people. The start point for this culture is a shared set of values, as well as ensuring we genuinely put our people first; developing their skills, providing them career opportunities, looking after their mental health and providing them with the funds and time for social aspects of the team. It is by combining this focus in attracting, developing and keeping the best people and investing in data and tech innovation that we will be sure to achieve our mission of being the first choice agency for the world’s biggest tech and gaming brands.

hello@dialectinc.com Dialect inc 2 Seven Dials Sawclose Bath BA1 1EN United Kingdom dialect_inc

dialectinc.com 322

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE EXCELLENCE OF THE CREATIVE CLUSTER ACROSS BRISTOL AND BATH IS UNDERPINNED BY A CONTINUUM ACROSS DISCIPLINES AND SECTORS, AND ACROSS PRODUCTION, DELIVERY AND CONSUMPTION.” – DAVID BULL, DIRECTOR, BRISTOL VISION INSTITUTE

A creative continuum and an integrated future: The excellence of the creative cluster across Bristol and Bath is underpinned by a continuum across disciplines and sectors, and across production, delivery and consumption. It is predicated on its people and their enthusiasm to experiment and embrace new technologies, its strengths across academia and industry, its support from local government, and its co-location with a burgeoning technology sector. We benefit hugely from the fabric that connects our diverse community, across sectors and across scales. This is provided by organisations such as Watershed, Knowle West Media Centre, Engine Shed and many others, alongside investments such as the Bristol+Bath Creative R+D, supported by the UK Industry Strategy Challenge Fund. Importantly, we also have strong support from local government who understand and prioritise the region’s creative sector, not least evidenced by the joint effort that resulted in C4’s relocation to Bristol in 2019 and the award of the £46m MyWorld Strength in Places Programme in 2020.

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

The strength of the region’s creative sector: The UK is a significant player in the global creative sector, with our creative industries contributing some £112bn annually to the UK economy. Our local creative-technology cluster plays an important part in this success, employing some 30,000 people in 5,800 businesses. Bristol is a UNESCO City of Film and one of only two cities outside London which are ranked in the top 10 for both creative and high-tech clusters. Our local creative industries are pre-eminent in natural history filmmaking, animation, documentary and live performance. Aardman Animations have created some of the best loved animated characters and Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously running theatre in the western world. It is no surprise that the likes of Netflix and Apple are exploiting the region’s reputation as the ‘Green Hollywood’, since much of the world’s natural history content is produced here.

AI artwork by Dr. Jasmina Stevanov

Perhaps less well-known, are our strengths across games, virtual and mixed reality and automation. Alongside hundreds of other highly innovative businesses, Ndemic Creations have achieved global success with Plague Inc. (one of the top five most successful paid mobile games ever); Motion Impossible create world-leading robotic camera platforms; Limina Immersive are breaking new ground linking VR and wellbeing, while Rocketmakers support business innovation and the creative use of advanced technologies. Similarly, our universities are at the forefront of research across the creative sector, spanning the disciplines of engineering, science and art with expertise across content acquisition, storytelling, immersive formats, audience understanding, media networks and content delivery.

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

323

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Our universities are uniquely positioned to provide anchors for this continuum. Firstly, they have credibility in leadership and a mandate to work with the community. They have the capacity to make changes and influence government; as some of the biggest employers, they operate at a scale much greater than most of our creative businesses. They create social, policy and commercial impact, accelerating innovation and instilling a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship. In partnership with government, our universities provide strategic vision and leadership in shaping the R&D and training agendas and, as attractors of global talent, they underpin skills pipelines. They can provide accessible world-leading facilities and co-location with industry partners. All of these together create stability, an integrated platform for innovation and confidence for investors in our region.

B A T H

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

Our universities across Bristol and Bath, in partnership with industry, offer world-leading expertise in creative technologies, tackling the challenges and exploiting the opportunities that will create the experiences of the future:

Creating experiences: The line between live and offline generation of experiences and between real and virtual worlds is blurring. We aim for live experiences that make ‘being there better’ and remote experiences that are ‘better than being there’. We are addressing spatio-temporal computing challenges which will enhance interactions between the physical and digital worlds. We are enabling new forms of storytelling through new media frameworks, employing advanced capture processes, new cinematographies and intelligent production workflows.

Delivering experiences: Driven by new immersive applications, distributed gaming, streaming services and social networking, by 2022 there will be around 5 zettabytes of annual internet traffic with over 80% of this being video – equivalent to all movies ever made crossing global IP networks in 53 seconds! Our work in low latency high bandwidth communications, combined with world-leading video compression expertise, offers the potential for seamless experiences that exploit media cloud-based infrastructures and network-edge processing.

AI methods that enable all of these. Our community is uniquely positioned to contribute to the creation of these new spaces where we can enjoy, entertain, design and work. So the message is simple. To maintain leadership in the creation of new forms of entertainment, we must combine academic and commercial strengths, colocate and co-design. We must maintain and diversify the talent pipeline and develop new skills; we need to share knowledge, share spaces and share visions.

Understanding experiences: The need to understand our audiences is becoming ever more complex with the emergence of new immersive technologies and formats, and the use of non-linear delivery to create more interactive experiences. Traditional assessment methods that rely on qualitative commentaries do not reflect “real world” attention nor do they discriminate between narrative and environment. New revolutionary quantitative methods that facilitate a continuous realtime assessment of user experience are being developed within our universities.

David Bull is Professor of Signal Processing at the University of Bristol. He leads Bristol’s Visual Information Laboratory and is Director of Bristol Vision Institute, a highly interdisciplinary grouping of some 160 researchers working across vision science and its applications, which he cofounded in 2008. David has worked with and in industry, and he has acted as an advisor to organisations and governments across the world. He also founded and ran a successful technology spinout for 10 years. David led the region’s successful Strength in Places bid, MyWorld, which is focused on growing the region’s creative sector.

While many diverse technologies will impact on these futures, perhaps artificial intelligence (AI) will be the most dominant. Huge potential for AI exists in the creative sector and much of this is being pioneered in our region, including for content capture, enhanced production workflows and VFX, improved search tasks, and for exploiting perceptual processing in data compression and audience understanding. While the goal of creating truly seamless virtual shared spaces is still some way off, the constituent tools needed to create and interact within this ‘metaverse’ are coming – internet communications and media representations that support massive numbers of users, cerebral levels of latency and media quality, advanced interfaces that mitigate the effects of sensory misalignment, and

Bristol Vision Institute Professor David Bull, Director dave.bull@bristol.ac.uk

bristol.ac.uk/vision-institute 324

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

MyWorld is a new £46m creative hub that will facilitate collaboration across creative sector and technology organisations - regionally, nationally and globally - to pioneer new media formats and to enable the creation of more engaging audience and user experiences.

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

The aim of MyWorld is to create a world-leading collaborative environment with innovation at its core. By fostering new relationships across technical R&D and experimental creative production, it will build regional collaborations with global reach. It will provide access to: (1) research expertise - enabling new media formats to be pioneered; (2) skills training - leading to talent development across the sector; and (3) world-leading facilities - enabling the creation of more immersive user experiences. These in turn will fuel inward investment, create growth and add value to an already vibrant creative cluster.

Photo by CAMERA, University of Bath MISSION: The MyWorld creative hub has been awarded £30m from the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) with a further £16m committed from an alliance of more than 30 industry and academic organisations which will join forces in a five-year R&D programme. MyWorld builds on the creative production and technology strengths of businesses across the Bristol and Bath region combined with the internationally leading academic reputations of our universities. SIPF is a UK-wide exploration into devolved R&D funding: MyWorld is one of the first seven programmes supported and is the flagship for the creative sector.

WHY BRISTOL AND BATH? Our creative-technology cluster is recognised as ‘being globally significant, generating £1.7bn GVA (Techspark). So, if we are already successful, why were we awarded £30m from UKRI to build this sector? Put simply, many of our organisations are either SMEs or micro-businesses, and these are often constrained by short planning horizons and limited resources. The potential to create synergy across this technological and creative landscape, capitalising on the strengths in our universities and industries to embed a culture of R&D in businesses of all sizes, is thus immense. The aim of MyWorld is to catalyse innovationdriven growth.

325

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Photo by Bristol VR Lab

B A T H

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

THE HEART OF MYWORLD: We named the programme, ‘MyWorld’ because this represents both the individual and the global impact of mediated information and entertainment. A ‘World” can be a perceptual space that we create individually or collectively, but it can also refer to the planet we inhabit. ‘My’ describes our personal experiences and our journey through a story, but also our shared ownership of, and responsibilities for, all that surrounds us. At the core of MyWorld is its R&D framework which spans the creative continuum of production, delivery and consumption, with investments being made at all levels - from basic interdisciplinary research, through R&D and experimental productions, to pre-production prototyping and demonstration. Alongside targeted research funding, we are running Open Innovation competitions, driven by strategic challenges, which will widen access to R&D funding for businesses and individuals. Photo by Nick Smith Photography State of the art studio facilities, linked to existing university infrastructure, are being developed, coupled with an operational structure that seamlessly supports both commercial and research usage. In parallel, investments from our partner universities will provide advanced digital skills programmes, developed together with cluster partners and local government, that will enable us to share expertise more widely within our cluster. Alongside these R&D activities, the programme has created a MyWorld Observatory that will analyse and assess the impact of our interventions to inform both regional and national policy. Through these investments, MyWorld will enable us to address some of the big creative-technology challenges facing our sector. For example: building collaborative and interactive worlds with seamless interfaces between the physical and virtual; delivering these new experiences to massive audiences across networks of the future; understanding immersion and the real impact of new technologies, enabling us to create more engaging experiences; fully exploiting the use of AI to transform the production and delivery of new experiences; and helping to sustain the planet’s resources.

Photo by Nick Smith Photography

All of these initiatives combine to build reputation, foster sustainable growth, develop and diversify talent, attract inward investment and further internationalise our offering. While the five years of the MyWorld programme are key, it is its legacy beyond this in terms of growth and job creation, that will be the real measure of its success.

MyWorld Professor David Bull, Director dave.bull@bristol.ac.uk

myworld-creates.com 326

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Cinema Rediscovered 2018

Bristol: a globally celebrated City of Film Since 2017, Bristol has been a UNESCO City of Film, one of 18 cities to hold this permanent global status recognising world-leading achievement in the field of film and the moving image. It is also a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, more than 240 cities working together towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.

Photo by Jack Offord

What makes Bristol a City of Film?

Bristol’s City of Film status enables the city to further embed the ethos of UNESCO and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) into its wellestablished moving image industry.

Film and the moving image has long been a central feature of Bristol’s cultural and commercial identity. From the origins of cinema in the 19th Century, when Bristolian inventor William Friese-Greene (1855-1921) developed pioneering motion picture technology, to the golden age of Hollywood which saw Bristol-born Archie Leach (aka Cary Grant) become one of the world’s most famous and best-loved screen icons of all time, Bristol has a strong heritage in screen excellence.

After a successful initial four years of the status that has seen Bristol’s filmmakers, festivals, educators and studios collaborate on a host of beneficial projects, the Bristol City of Film 2021-2025 Action Plan prioritises three main focus areas, carefully chosen to ensure ongoing sustainable development of Bristol’s film and TV sector:

1. SKILLS

Developing a dedicated skills and training programme for South Bristol; connecting new talent from the area to placements with productions working at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in Bristol; providing support and networks to support sustainable employment in the long term.

2. STORIES

Telling Bristol stories on film; celebrating diverse stories from across the city; maximising opportunities for screenings across Bristol neighbourhoods; sharing Bristol-made films with fellow UNESCO Cities of Film and screening films from cities in countries such as India, Poland, Australia, South Korea and Brazil in return.

Cary Grant revisiting Bristol

Today, the city is home to world-leading media, including more than 130 production and postproduction companies. Oscar-winning Aardman Animations set up its studios in Bristol in the 1970’s, gaining consistent success with titles including Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Early Man. Since 2010 The Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and television facility in the West of England, has attracted major productions to film in the city. The BBC produces internationally renowned drama, factual and wildlife television from its Bristol headquarters which house the broadcaster’s world-renowned Natural History Unit, and Channel 4 chose Bristol as the location for one of its creative hubs when it relocated out of London in 2019.

3. SUSTAINABILITY

Photo by Bristol Post

Promoting sustainable filming standards for productions working in Bristol; developing toolkits and working standards to meet Bristol’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030; and working with partners to support business adaptation and share best practice.

In addition, Bristol City of Film is continually promoting successes from Bristol’s film and TV scene around the world, helping to drive the delivery of cultural activity as an enabler for sustainable development.

Bristol hosts 11 community-driven international festivals dedicated to film annually, including Wildscreen Festival, the world’s biggest festival of natural history storytelling and Encounters, the UK’s leading short film,

327

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Photo by BFI Film Academy Bristol

Bristol Film 2021 artwork by Willem Hampson

animation and virtual reality festival. It is home to 10 cinemas including Watershed, the internationally renowned film culture and digital media centre that links many of Bristol’s festivals, networks and initiatives together whilst welcoming around 450,000 visitors a year. The city’s two major universities, the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, are consistently rated in the top five establishments to study film-related courses in the UK, providing a total of 28 film-related degrees between them.

Culture for Sustainable Development “Culture is who we are and what shapes our identity. No development can be sustainable without including culture. In September 2015 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ with 17 ambitious, universal goals to transform our world. “UNESCO ensures that the role of culture is recognised through a majority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those focusing on quality education, sustainable cities, the environment, economic growth, sustainable consumption and production patterns, peaceful and inclusive societies, gender equality and food security.

Who are the 18 UNESCO Cities of Film? Bitola, North Macedonia Bradford, UK Bristol, UK Busan, South Korea Galway, Republic of Ireland Łódź, Poland Mumbai, India Potsdam, Germany Qingdao, China

Rome, Italy Santos, Brazil Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina Sofia, Bulgaria Sydney, Australia Terrassa, Spain Valladolid, Spain Wellington, New Zealand Yamagata, Japan

“From cultural heritage to cultural and creative industries, Culture is both an enabler and a driver of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. UNESCO’s work promoting cultural diversity, and UNESCO’s Culture Conventions, are key to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Photo by STUDIOCANAL Behind the scenes of Early Man Bristol UNESCO City of Film c/o Bristol Film Office Queens Road Bristol, BS8 1RL +44 (0) 117 922 3958

cityoffilm@bristol.gov.uk BristolFilmCity bristolcityoffilm

bristolcityoffilm.co.uk

UNESCO Cities of FIlm map (Source - www.citiesoffilm.org)

Source: UNESCO: Culture for Sustainable Development

328

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

EXPANDING THE EPICENTRE OF WEST OF ENGLAND PRODUCTION

On set at The Bottle Yard Studios: Sanditon

Photo by ITV/Red Planet Pictures

Since 2010, The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, South Bristol has been attracting a steady flow of major TV and film productions to film in its vast spaces. Owned by Bristol City Council, the Studios site spans seven acres, more than five football pitches, making it the largest dedicated film and TV studio facility in the West of England, with eight stages, giant green screen, workshops, production offices and a business hub of over 25 companies servicing the region’s production industry.

On set at The Bottle Yard Studios: The Trial of Christine Keeler

Expansion of this neighbouring site, less than half a mile from the main Studios, adds around 82,000 sq ft of floor space to the facility’s offering, increasing its total number of stages from eight to 11. This significant step up in capacity will attract more exciting productions to the region, which can also access the professional film-friendly support delivered by Bristol Film Office. Expansion also brings a host of benefits for the fast-growing production sector in Bristol, Bath and the wider region. More than £17 million per year is already generated for Bristol’s economy by TV and film productions filmed at the Studios or on location in Bristol, with the help of the city’s Film Office. Increased space means increased economic contribution, more jobs for Bristol crew and companies and fresh opportunities for the next generation of crew and creative talent, who are presently witnessing this boom take place around them. Large shoots also bring massive benefits to other businesses like hotels, catering and transport companies, whilst seeing Bristol on screen is proven to increase tourism to the city.

As online platforms like Netflix and Amazon join the major broadcasters in ramping up their content demands, the need for additional stage space and skills is growing exponentially. Appetite for screen content is stronger than ever, especially since the pandemic restricted other forms of entertainment causing a massive surge in the uptake of streaming services. With new studios being built throughout the UK, Bristol is definitely not missing out on this opportunity for growth. The Bottle Yard Studios’ expansion, fuelled by £12 million investment from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), is converting the industrial property at nearby Hawkfield Business Park into three additional stages measuring 20,000 sq ft, 15,000 sq ft and 6,800 sq ft, complete with ancillary spaces including production offices, prop stores, break out spaces, costume and makeup areas.

The Studios continues to collaborate with education partners including UWE Bristol, University of Bristol and City of Bristol College, as well as national bodies including British Film Commission and ScreenSkills. A Skills Agenda is in development to grow a sustainable, homegrown talent base that can meet increased demand, ensuring that local talent is at

329

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The Bottle Yard Studios expansion - Hawkfield site

Photo by AHR

Photo by BBC/Ecosse Films/Great Meadow Productions

the heart of the workforce as this exciting industry continues to flourish.

Made at The Bottle Yard Studios The Pursuit of Love (BBC/Amazon), The Spanish Princess (Starz), The Salisbury Poisonings (BBC One), The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC One), The Pale Horse (BBC/Amazon), Sanditon (ITV), Poldark (BBC One), Hellboy (Lionsgate), Fortitude (Sky Atlantic), The Crystal Maze (Channel 4), Tipping Point & Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV), The ‘Andy’s Adventures’ series (CBeebies), Three Girls (BBC One), The White Princess (Starz), Broadchurch (ITV), Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (BBC One), Wolf Hall (BBC Two), The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (ITV).

The Bottle Yard Studios Whitchurch Lane Bristol BS14 0BH

+44 (0) 117 357 6888 thebottleyard@bristol.gov.uk

thebottleyard.com

On set at The Bottle Yard Studios: The Spanish Princess

330

Photo by STARZ/New Pictures

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We create high quality VFX for High End Film & Television projects, through close relationships with clients we ensure we add value to every project.

Axis Studios is a multi-award-winning animation and VFX studio. Based in the heart of Bristol, Axis Studios’ VFX arm delivers cutting-edge visual effects for high end television, film and natural history. As with all our projects, we aim to work very closely with our clients to become integrated into the production to be more than just a VFX partner. We understand the nature of the filmmaking process and have developed a flexible approach to deal with the ebbs and flow of post-production requirements. We ensure all projects are managed to the highest degree. A part of Axis Studios, we’ve built a global reputation for creating commissioned and original entertainment experiences in Film, Television, Games and Theme Parks. No matter the client, brand, genre or delivery platform, our creative output is distinctive, engaging and entertaining.

This is the inspiration behind the opening of Axis Studios’ visual effects arm headquartered in Bristol. Established by founders and VFX Supervisors Grant Hewlett and Howard Jones, the team immediately found themselves working on high profile television shows. Axis is committed to innovation in VFX, constantly pushing our boundaries in all stages of production. Our work includes the Emmy award-winning series Chernobyl, Catherine the Great – starring Helen Mirren – and Aardman Animations’ A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, which won our VFX Supervisor Howard Jones his second BIFA. Our most recent project saw us create an entire CG Elizabethan London for the second season of Sky One’s original drama, A Discovery

Axis first opened its doors in 2000. Over the next 20 years the founders went on to build a studio and grow a creative culture that has inspired talented artists, storytellers and producers from around the world to create multi-award-winning work for Universal Studios, Amazon Studios, BBC, Netflix, SKY, Skybound, HBO, and Channel 4.

of Witches. No matter what the project, in its heart and soul Axis remains true to the founders’ original vision. To create NARRATIVELY COMPELLING WORK in animated entertainment and VFX, and bring together artists, fascinated by art, technology, filmmaking and animation, proud to specialise in

From its earliest days Axis were determined not to restrict themselves to any one genre, to originate and deliver GROUNDBREAKING CONTENT of the highest quality, that ENGAGES AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE and embraces new creative opportunities.

331

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

diversity, passionate to keep on creating beautiful, edgy, distinctive work, and excited to discover where imagination might take them next.

Axis Studios The Bottle Yard Film Studios Whitchurch Lane, Bristol, BS14 0BH

332

+44 (0) 117 374 4555 info@axisstudiosgroup.com Axis Studio

axisstudiosgroup.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

THE FILM AND ANIMATION STUDIO CREATING EXTRAORDINARY CONTENTS AND EVENTS

Studio Giggle is a creative studio specialising in creating stunning filmed and animated content for live and virtual events. Studio Giggle has built a strong reputation as the go-to creative agency for high quality, technically innovative content. Founded in 2006 Studio Giggle started its life as a VFX company creating large explosions and spectacular car crashes for programmes like Casualty (BBC 1986-Present). In the subsequent 14 years, Giggle’s work has evolved to cover a wide range of animation styles and techniques. This could be a complex real-time generated artwork for an installation, creating an ‘unreal’ world for an XR studio, or simply a really beautiful animated explainer.

virtual elevator to transport delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos; and projecting dragons onto the Tower of London for the Game of Thrones Season 5 world premiere.

In the past few years, Studio Giggle’s creative and technical knowledge has seen them representing Bristol whilst they work all over the world. This has included projects in the US, Middle East, China and Europe. Some highlights of those trips included: creating stunning animated content for the launch of Porsche’s latest car, the Cayenne, in Kuwait; an immersive dining experience in San Francisco with Tom Kerridge for BA; building a

Studio Giggle’s unique position in the industry is down its ability to balance first class creative design, with innovative technical ideas. Studio Giggle can not only create beautiful designs and content but can also advise their clients about which screen or server to hire and how to get the most from the content. Their clients employ them when they have particular creative, immersive and innovative problems to solve.

Innovation is at the heart of everything that Studio Giggle does. In the ever-evolving world of animation, it is important for them to stay ahead of new trends, so innovation is key.

333

It’s the creativity of Bristol that has made Studio Giggle what it is today. The city is a hub for creatives and creative exploration. This has allowed Studio Giggle to work with countless brilliant freelancers and experts, as well as providing them with a full-time team of talented animators, digital artists and producers. This would not have been possible if they were based elsewhere. Studio Giggle is located at The Paintworks on Bath Road, which is known as being the creative quarter in a very creative city.

will be continuing to focus on in the coming years. Studio Giggle will also be using their XR studio to explore the world of Virtual Production, in order to offer their clients even more exceptional ways to create stunning content. As always, they will be staying on top of all upcoming and exciting new developments in the world of animation and events.

STUDIO GIGGLE 1.16 The Paintworks, Bath Road Bristol BS4 3EH, UK +44 (0) 117 972 0081 info@studiogiggle.co.uk

This year, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown of the event industry, Studio Giggle has had to be more innovative than ever to survive. In March they worked hard to create and launch an XR studio that could be used for virtual events. This is something that they

334

Studio Giggle gigglegroup studio_giggle

STUDIOGIGGLE.CO.UK

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We bring brands and influencers together, to make content that engages audiences and builds emotional connections.

Back in 2017 the nascent practice of influencer marketing had problems. Stuck on the idea of a quick buck, agencies seemed to lack a real understanding of online content creators or their audiences, or the power available to branded content campaigns when done well. Put simply, not enough care was going into treating creative partnerships as partnerships with creatives. So Fourth Floor was founded to fix that, by improving the way brands and creators can work together, for their mutual benefit. Our mission is simple: to support creators. We understand that if you get that part right, all stakeholders prosper. If a brand partnership enables a content creator to produce more of what their audience love, while maintaining their authenticity, everyone succeeds.

size of their platform, and their connection to the industries and cultures they work around. At the same time, brands gain new, vibrant, more effective and genuine ways to talk to existing and potential customers.

Content made like that builds genuine connection and goodwill between brand and consumer. It means that our clients don’t have to push their way into conversations, but are invited in and welcomed. The right partnerships allow creators to increase the ambition of their output, the

That brings us to the other part of the Fourth Floor approach, because philosophy and ideals are just half of how we drive success for our partners. The rest is in our push to constantly improve the standard of science underpinning the creative.

335

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Insight fuels everything we do. From audience demographics and channel growth, to content engagement rates and cultural fit, we refine every partnership with quantifiable data. Using our proprietary AI-driven Insight Engine we can determine the likelihood of brand/community affinities, gauge the audience-blending potential of channel collaborations, accurately predict performance and drive the discovery of new voices.

B A T H

What we’re most proud of, however is that our fast rise has been underpinned by a set of core values and a culture that values empathy, diversity and inclusion - reflected in a 3* accreditation from Best Companies for the past two years. We have big plans for the next few years as we build out the tools and services that will enable brands, creators and audiences to be part of the growing creator economy. It’s a big and exciting undertaking, but like everything we do at Fourth Floor, it’s really about designing better solutions through empathy.

On the other end of the process, we use social listening analysis and deep, real-time campaign reporting to keep our clients up to date on their results as they happen, both in the vicinity of their campaign, and in the wider online conversation around their brand, This empowers their initial decision-making, supports in-flight optimisation, and enhances their future plans with a new level of nuance and understanding. Our mission to evolve the breadth and depth of partner services also continues into our merchandise and commerce work. Fresh Merch is our bespoke, full-service, next-generation ecommerce and fulfilment platform, stocked with product collaborations between our clients and in-house designers. It gives every brand and creator on the platform not just a store page, but the scope for an interactive, personally themed, multimedia community hub to showcase their products from.

contact@fourthfloor.co King William House, 13 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4NT, United Kingdom Fourth Floor

fourthfloor.co 336

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Play Sports Group comprises two businesses, both centred around one passion: cycling. SHIFT Active Media, founded in 2010, is the world’s leading cyclingfocused marketing agency. It’s known for providing its industry clients with cutting-edge marketing and communication services, helping them to promote their products in innovative and creative ways. Simon Wear (CEO of Play Sports Group) started SHIFT Active Media knowing that there was growing demand for a media agency that specialised in cycling and nothing else. The value of a deep understanding of the industry is what makes SHIFT so fantastic at providing exemplary services to some of the top brands in cycling.

337

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Play Sports Network, the home of the Global Cycling Network, Global Mountain Bike Network and Global Triathlon Network (along with eleven other channels) was founded two years after SHIFT Active Media. It has grown in eight years to become a platform that reaches millions of people globally, every month, by delivering content for avid road cyclists, mountain bikers or triathletes. Most recently, Play Sports Network has created the Global Cycling Network mobile app; a platform where cyclists from all over the world can come together to watch live races and discuss the latest bike tech and news.

B A T H

the business means that there are always new innovations and creative content being produced. Over the next year, we plan to continue our growth and attract the best talent to work with us; we want to produce bigger and better content for our fans! We also hope to see even more people discovering a love for a sport that we cherish.

Play Sports Network Monmouth Street Studios, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AP

Now employing 250 people, Play Sports Group has almost doubled in size in the last 24 months. We are lucky to have colleagues from all over the world, including Germany, Spain and Japan! The creative talent in

338

+44 (0) 1225 448333 hello@playsportsnetwork.com

playsportsnetwork.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

OUR VISION IS TO CREATE THE MOST IMAGINATIVE, INNOVATIVE AND PLAYFUL DIGITAL EXPERIENCES FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

OUR STORY Complete Control is a leading children’s interactive production company, based in Bath, specialising in creating digital content for the best in children’s media. In an ever changing technical landscape, we approach our projects with boundless enthusiasm, expertise, passion and positivity. We work with clients at early stage ideation to create commercial children’s brands and products, as well as with established brands, across many digital platforms for both entertainment and education.

339

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

We craft imaginative, innovative and playful content that is fun and memorable for children, including producing browser based games, AR/ XR app experiences, SVOD platforms, YouTube animation, TV and voice experiences. Experts in design sprint methodology, prototyping, validating and launching ideas for new children’s content - we always put the child at the heart of what we do through play testing. Complete Control also has its own IP brands across games and TV and commercially license these. We are a small but experienced team of digital creatives, artists, developers, game developers, strategists and project managers, all experts in our industry. Complete Control have been awarded two BAFTAs for our interactive work across entertainment and education alongside many other industry awards.

Glynn Hayward, Founder and Creative Director, heads up the talented team at Complete Control from their picturesque studio just outside of Bath.

Complete Control Studio 8, Church Farm Business Park, Corston, Bath, BA2 9AP +44 (0) 122-587-4500 contactus@completecontrol.co.uk CompleteControlStudios ContweetControl CompleteControl

completecontrol.co.uk 340

CHAPTER 17

FINTECH

“Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes.” — NAPOLEON HILL

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

HARGREAVES LANSDOWN IS A CLIENT EXPERIENCE BUSINESS. WE EMPOWER OUR 1.4M CLIENTS TO SAVE AND INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE AT A TIME WHERE FINANCIAL RESILIENCE, INCLUSION AND UNDERSTANDING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE. We are the UK’s largest direct-to investor investment and savings service. For nearly 40 years, we have helped our clients save time, tax and money on their investments. Today we are trusted with £104 billion by 1,412,000 clients. We are a secure, FTSE 100 company, headquartered in Bristol employing over 1,600 people. We are a great success story, having reached the heights of the FTSE top 50. We have come from very humble beginnings. When our business started back in 1981, the investment industry was completely different from what we see today. Our offices these days are a stark contrast from the spare bedroom in Clifton where the business was first started. With initially a very modest ambition, to sell unit trusts, Peter Hargreaves and Stephen Lansdown created Hargreaves Lansdown. Peter and Stephen started with a £200 ad in a national newspaper. They got 168 responses, which in today’s terms seems like nothing but it was enough for them both to realise they had something worth pursuing. Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is both innovator and innovation enabler. We created and developed our investment and savings platform, which enabled HL clients the ability to hold and see all of their investments in one place without the need to contact or pay for a financial adviser, long before that became the norm. This was a game changer and a model now widely adopted. That decision to build and own our own technology has enabled us to grow faster than the competition. It meant we could be first to market. One of Hargreaves Lansdown’s biggest enablers for our ongoing success has been our continued investment in our technology. We have over 350 colleagues working to maintain, develop and innovate our technology. As the regulation in our industry increases, technology advances and the speed of change accelerates we can no longer build all of our technology ourselves. We need to look to partners to help us on our journey. Continued development and evolution of our core architecture will allow us to plug in with third party solutions in the future to

343

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

provide new innovative services for our clients. This is key to our technology strategy.

B A T H

and will continue to support this moving forward. HL sees itself as a business rooted in the Bristol community and is keen to add its voice and participation into the future vision for this great city.

Bristol is the largest centre for financial services in the South West and the Fintech industry presents a fantastic opportunity to expand this further. Pre COVID-19, the government was estimating over 30,000 UK jobs and 1,600 new businesses coming from the sector by 2030.

Over the next year we will continue the development and evolution of our core architecture. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen many businesses bring forward their digital strategies. HL are no different and solutions that improve services for our clients and colleagues are vital.

HL is one of the largest employers in Bristol. We are proud of our heritage and support local projects to improve the city’s future.

We recently refreshed our technology strategy and are excited about rolling this out across the business in the coming months.

We’re one of the founding signatories of the Bristol Equality Charter pledging to help improve equality and diversity across Bristol. We are a founding member of the Bristol Equality Network, and have signed the Women in Business Charter.

If you step forward from now and through to 2025, then actually we’ve got to create a completely open ecosystem that leverages the technology and investment through third parties.

We have active involvement with Bristol City Council and the development of the Bristol One City Plan, an initiative to bring together businesses to help develop a shared vision for Bristol and address key challenges facing the city.

That open ecosystem will allow Hargreaves Lansdown to move faster when it comes to delivering services and experience to clients across multiple channels. The open platform will also enable the firm to integrate with third-party services, their tools and their data.

Our colleagues are dedicated to doing the right thing and giving up their time to help charities and good causes.

Our vision is about using technology to help us innovate, develop and deliver services that clients want and that will add value to them.

In 2016 we launched our HL Foundation, a charitable arm of HL. The Foundation’s mission is to utilise the skills and time of our workforce and partners to make a positive, sustainable difference in the world around us. To date the HL Foundation has raised more than £120,000 for the charities we support.

Hargreaves Lansdown +44 (0) 117-900-9000 hl.co.uk/contact-us hargreaveslansdowninvest Hargreaves Lansdown HLInvest

At HL one of our key values is ‘Do it better’ and we feel this is reflected well by the city that we are based in. Bristol is a collaborative and innovative city that is always looking to take the next step forward. The “Bristol: One City Approach” is an initiative to develop a shared vision for Bristol to 2050, bringing together participants from business, the public sector, voluntary organisations and communities. We participated in the development of the initial Plan, which was published in January 2019

www.hl.co.uk 344

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

REBUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF INVESTMENTS AND ADVICE

“Who cares?”, you might ask. Well, we all should. Because, it’s not just bad for business, but bad for people, too.

We provide the technology that allows people to access financial markets – buying and selling investments, and holding them in tax wrappers like ISAs and pensions.

Clunky, inefficient businesses make clunky, expensive services, which means putting your money to work in the markets is more costly than it needs to be.

With our technology at their core, ambitious, innovative firms of all sizes can build new investment or financial advice propositions more quickly and affordably than ever.

It also means financial advice is affordable only to the affluent – bringing it out of the reach of the very people who need it most. “We wanted to change all that”, said Dave. “It needed a total rethink.”

Our story We exist because finance needs fixing

So that’s what he gave it. He set about completely redesigning the architecture of investment technology, from the ground up – and from his shed (or ‘garden office’, as he calls it).

Our co-founder, Dave Harvey, started Seccl after a period of reflection in his own career. He’d worked in financial technology for many years, at big institutions like Société Generale, and was convinced that change was desperately needed. The existing technology infrastructure was inefficient, inflexible and unwieldy – powered by decades-old software and patched together by manual processes.

345

We make fintech innovation possible A few years on from our launch in 2018, and we support a growing number of forward-thinking financial advisers and wealth managers; not to mention an everexpanding raft of ambitious fintechs looking to transform our relationship with money. With us by their side, they can focus on what they do best – creating brilliant user journeys and client experiences, which help people to better manage their finances – and leave all the difficult, behind-the-scenes stuff (like custody, trading and settlement) to us.

OctopusGroup companies

We recently 0 ManversSt 2 a to in d e mov h BA1 1JW new office in Bat UK the centre ofour Bath...here’s address!

Seccl hey@seccl.tech seccltech

seccl SecclTech

seccl.tech

We’re part of Octopus

Octopus Investments

Octopus Ventures

Octopus Real Estate

In September 2019, we were acquired by Octopus, one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies. It’s on a mission to transform two sectors that aren’t exactly renowned for putting the customer first: financial services and energy.

Octopus Renewables

Founded in 2000, they now have nearly 2 million customers across its financial services and energy supply operations, and manage approximately £9.1 billion of assets (December 2019).

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy, the energy supply business, recently became a unicorn on the back of external investment – and was this year declared the only Which? recommended energy supplier for an amazing third year running.

Octopus Wealth

346

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

LOQBOX IS ON A MISSION TO END FINANCIAL EXCLUSION, GLOBALLY FROM THE SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND. Financial exclusion is a major problem in the UK, with around 5.8 million people shut out from large parts of the credit market. For many, this is a difficult situation because if they’ve never had credit they can’t build a credit record. The consequence is that many turn to expensive sub-prime lenders and succumb to a spiral of debt. LOQBOX wants to change that.

LOQBOX customers have a better credit score, a nest egg of savings and the ability to achieve their goals. Ultimately, LOQBOX helps everyone to get the things they want without money getting in the way. The aim is to give everyone and anyone the chance to achieve their goals, most of which cost money. For many people, their goals are unachievable because they have not had an opportunity to build a positive financial profile, they don’t have sufficient savings or they don’t understand how to make the financial system work for them.

Bristol based LOQBOX was started in 2017 by Tom Eyre and Gregor Mowat. In 2012, when Tom’s little sister was refused credit to buy a sofa, frustration with the inflexibility of the credit-scoring system drove him to start creating solutions to help people build their credit history to access fairly priced credit. As a former partner with global audit and advisory firm KPMG, Gregor has seen first-hand how many people are excluded from accessing fairly priced credit either because they are young with little or no credit history, or because they have made past credit mistakes.

How it works: When you sign up to LOQBOX, you decide the amount you can afford to save in a year (£20 minimum monthly repayment) and a 0% loan is locked away for the same amount in the LOQBOX. You pay off the loan over 12 months, building a credit score as you go. Once the 12 months is up, you get your money back and hopefully an increased credit score.

Tom and Gregor co-founded LOQBOX after setting themselves a mission to find solutions to this problem that work for both the lenders and these financially excluded groups.

LOQBOX employs more than 25 people and originally started life in Bristol. Since the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen a major shift in the landscape for many businesses, LOQBOX has adopted a permanent working from home approach with the South West still very much at the heart of the business. This new model allows the team to grow using experience from across the United Kingdom whilst developing local talent within the region.

Since LOQBOX launched in 2017, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people to master their money while they save and build their credit score with the three main credit reference agencies. It works best for people early in their financial life or for anyone trying to improve their relationship with money. When they have finished their journey,

347

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Being based in the Bristol region has given LOQBOX the perfect platform to grow both within the UK and internationally. The region has a number of leading Universities with a wide geographic pull, giving us access to the best talent across each function of the business. We have seen a growing number of people looking to relocate from historic tech centres such as London to benefit from everything the west country has to offer. Good communication links connect Bristol with London and the rest of the country, allowing us to work seamlessly with our partners across the UK. LOQBOX continues to grow with a strong focus on technology and innovation, giving customers more flexibility and access to tailored coaching programmes. We have also launched in 40 states across America making LOQBOX one of the fastest growing FinTech companies from the South West. We’re proud to have helped hundreds of thousands of people to improve their financial life.

Don’t take our word for it, here is what some of our customers have to say: “This has helped me build my credit score and as someone who is 18 and new to finance, couldn’t recommend it more!” Harvey “It was honestly the quickest, easiest thing to set up. My credit score has gone up 31 points and it’s because of LOQBOX” Abigail

Watch this space and find out more at www.loqbox.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook @LOQBOX or email commercial-uk@loqbox.com

LOQBOX commercial-uk@loqbox.com loqbox LOQBOX

loqbox.com 348

B A T H

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

GOT A PENSION? YOU’VE GOT AN OPINION. Our Vision Tumelo’s vision is a world where all investors can create and benefit from a more sustainable investment system. We want to help every investor have a positive influence on the companies they own. In short, our vision is to give every investor a voice.

What we do Tumelo is an impact-focused financial technology firm based in Bristol. We partner with investment and pension providers, enabling them to provide their customers with transparency over the companies they own and a shareholder voice on issues they care about, such as gender equality or climate change. Our solution is white-label software delivered via APIs and/or a user-facing platform. Our software integrates with existing investment platforms improving customer engagement, acquisition and retention for providers. Our software shows investors the companies they own and empowers them to engage on issues they care about. In doing so, we help investment firms connect with customers so they can better serve people and protect our planet.

Our story Tumelo was established at Cambridge University, where our founders, Georgia, Will and Ben, campaigned for the sustainable investment of their university’s £6 billion fund.

The innovation

They recognised a global problem: Millions of ordinary people contribute to our investment system through ISAs, workplace pensions, and other investments. Yet most have no visibility over where their money is going and no voice at the many companies they own through their investments. The result? A society that is disengaged and an investment system that is failing to address critical social, environmental and governance challenges. Tumelo was founded to change this.

Tumelo’s solution is inherently innovative as it is the first of its kind. Current market provisions for investment transparency and shareholder engagement are archaic or non-existent in this space. This dearth of transparency and empowerment leads to low financial literacy and small savings pots putting the public at risk of poverty in retirement. It also creates an unsustainable investment system which relies on short-term decision-making and puts profit before purpose.

349

I N N O V A T E

Example pension

Home

Featured

All votes

Portfolio

B R I S T O L

Voting

B A T H

Georgia

Need help?

Profile

Vote results

Featured votes Hot topics

Shareholders are calling for more clarity on Pfizer’s vaccine. Shareholders want to know how Pfizer plans to price its vaccine, considering it was part-funded by the public and billions of ‘affordable’ doses will be needed.

1340 People voted

Vote on this

7 Days left

Last chance to vote Walmart

Alphabet

Kroger Co

Should Walmart do more to stop sexual harassment?

Should Alphabet nominate a human/civil rights expert to their board?

Should Kroger report on how they handle human rights issues?

5 days left

The boss of Starbucks earned

Disney shareholders want the

over $14 million last year –

company’s leadership to give

that’s 1,211 times more than its

non-managers the chance to

average employee did.

sit on the Board and

New to the platform

Tumelo is already changing this narrative as we are proving to educate and engage members, enabling them to interact with their investments positively. Since initial development, Tumelo has launched with two major UK pension providers and four other Should IBM report on how platforms in the pension, retail investment, and asset management effectively it promotes sectors. Tumelo’s solution is currentlydiversity? on line to cover the majority of the UK population’s pension members within thetonext 3 ato 5 We are asking IBM publish yearly report on how it promotes years. diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This should include data on DEI programmes at IBM, and how field of financial technology,

As both a leader and pioneer in the Tumelo is paving the way for better pensions and investments days left systems. Solutions of this kind will soon be essential for10the successful running of any pension scheme or investment platform

The coffeehouse chain says that this ‘grande’ figure does not tell the whole story. What do you think?

influence strategy. But Disney is confident its Board is diverse enough. Which way would you vote?

10 days left

Tumelo tumelo tumeloHQ

tumelo.com 350

10 days left

READY TO CREATE THE NEXT BIG THING?

Whatever the business, Moneyhub’s Open Finance platform cultivates consumer trust the ultimate brand currency - allowing companies to deliver innovative, hyper-personalised experiences to their customers. For the first time in history, there is now a way for businesses of all shapes and sizes to understand their customers inside-out - their goals, pain points, and how they live their lives. Moneyhub helps businesses from both within and outside of financial services to understand and engage their audience through powerful Open Finance data, analytics, insights and card-free payments, helping them create tailored products and services that deliver against customer needs and build all-important consumer trust. Right now, Moneyhub is enabling its clients to reach over 40 million people through its APIs and white-label solutions across a range of industries, from fintech, online advertising and payments, to building societies, employee benefits companies, pensions and investments.

The idea for Mercer Money came from a desire to create a market-leading financial wellness product for the workplace savings market. Bringing pensions to life is about helping people to see the bigger picture. Only then can we make truly informed decisions. Moneyhub allows us to do this for our scheme members whilst helping them to connect less tangible concepts like future savings, with the here-and-now. Connecting the shopping of yesterday with the retirement of tomorrow has never really been done before. That’s why we teamed up with Moneyhub to make use of the features that can bring financial wellness to life for the workplace market.” - Mercer

Our story Back in 2014, we noticed a big flaw in how consumers were able to interact with their own financial data. We wanted to help improve people’s financial wellbeing but were frustrated by the inability to see their banking and financial accounts such as pensions, investments, loans, mortgages, savings and property value in a single place. Our tech team had a passion to make things better and developed an app, with personalised transaction categorisation to show all of a user’s finances in one central location. Winning Finovate Europe - Moneyhub was born.

351

FROM CONSUMER TO B2B Soon, other companies wanted to offer a version of our app to their customers, with their own branding and features. Others wanted to build their own, so we helped them aggregate and interpret the financial data through our API. Our consumer insight continuously shapes our B2B offering. OPEN BANKING All of this happened before any legislation was in place, and due to our knowledge and experience, we helped write the standard which was introduced in 2018 known as Open Banking. The legislation forced major UK banks and building societies to make consumer banking and financial accounts data accessible to authorised companies like Moneyhub, when requested by the consumer. But why was this important? Open Banking boosts competition in banking, benefiting consumers by encouraging and empowering tech-led businesses to innovate.

Moneyhub trip to Rome, February 2020

PAYMENTS In 2018 we also shook up the world of payments. At an event, our COO Dan Scholey facilitated the first ever Open Banking powered payment live - resulting in an instant direct bank to bank payment - without the cost and need of a credit or debit card.

As a company with creativity running through our veins, having a strong music and arts scene within the city, alongside inspirational countryside on our doorstep, is very important to us. We can’t imagine being anywhere else and believe the question should be: ‘Why not Bristol’?

Where next? Since our genesis, we’ve made progress of which we’re incredibly proud, but ask any Moneyhubber, and they’ll tell you that we’re only at the start of our journey. Creating the ‘Next Big Thing’ and delighting customers is now firmly within the grasp of any company with the vision and ideas and we’re here to support every step of the way.

Innovator and innovation enabler Moneyhub is both innovator and innovation enabler - in fact, continuing to be both is what drives us. When Open Banking was just a theoretical concept, we pioneered groundbreaking financial data aggregation tools for holistic financial planning, and innovated the way to pay using bank accounts instead of cards. Now, we are a leader in using customer insights for the welfare of clients and users, and work on the MaPS Pension Dashboard and TISA’s Open Savings & Investment steering committees to put the power of data into the hands of those who own it: the consumer.

Financial services play a huge part in our lives, and we see a future where these link together a huge range of other sectors into a great ecosystem of Open Finance and Open Data. This will be transformative in how we think about and use money on a global scale, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront, continuing to put our creative thinking to the test. Because that as they say - is where the magic happens. Watch this space!

Why Bristol? We rely on the expertise and passion of our people. Our technical team is led by postgraduates from Bristol University, and our dedicated and driven team are largely drawn from the local talent pool. We attract the best and brightest from an area where we can truly champion diversity, provide an attractive and flexible work/life balance, and scale-up more economically than in London or elsewhere. The thriving and multicultural city of Bristol provides the infrastructure needed for a fast-growing tech company, including great national and international transport links, and some of the leading STEM universities in the country, particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Data Security.

Moneyhub +44 (0)117-280-5155 hello@moneyhub.com moneyhubenterprise moneyhub-enterprise moneyhubenterpr

moneyhubenterprise.com 352

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our mission is to eliminate paper from financial services; leaving our clients free to focus on a digital future and reducing costs for consumers. In 2005 a small group of technical evangelists concluded it was time to tackle the mountains of paper still driving large parts of the financial services industry. We formed Altus to deliver on that vision through automated software solutions and bold, independent consulting advice. Fifteen years later, we continue to innovate and accelerate the free movement of data. Unlike the Hollywood scenes of huge computers humming quietly in deserted halls, real financial services companies are still awash with paper and people. Whilst they have invested heavily in computers, much of the processing power consumed by large banks, asset managers and insurers is actually spent manipulating spreadsheets. Moving beyond the automation of isolated tasks in the back office of these large companies and towards genuine straight-throughprocessing (STP) requires much more than brute CPU force. Crucially, it requires a forensic understanding of the data flowing around the industry followed by widespread agreement on standards for that data. Our first foray into developing an STP solution piggy-backed on extensive data standards work by the HMRC which culminated in the government gateway initiative launch in 2001. Most people first encounter the gateway via their personal tax return but it also deals with various reports from business to government including, since 2007, registered pension scheme returns. Altus developed the first commercial software system to automate this process and that system still accounts for the majority of electronic reporting from pension schemes today. Deciding where best to focus next was a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. So, we decided to model the haystack in software and use computers to find the needle. The PEAK system we built now covers over

353

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

10,000 discrete flows of financial services data and powers both our meticulous consulting work and the development of new solutions. The first needle emerged from the haystack in 2009 in the form of our pension funds trading solution built on ISO messaging standards which has gone on to dominate its market and saved countless trees in the process. 75% of electronic pension funds trading is now done via our systems and many fax machines have been retired. Around this time Altus annual revenues passed £1m and we transitioned from fledgling start-up to established SME employing over 40 people in the beautiful city of Bath. Aside from the aesthetic benefits of being based in a world heritage city, there are some practical advantages too. Bath university is renowned for its computer science teaching and many graduates choose to stay having fallen in love with the city. Several of them now work at Altus and we never have trouble attracting new staff or, indeed, prospective clients who relish a trip to the West Country. The next and most ambitious Altus product so far took on the complex task of digitising the transfer of entire investment portfolios between firms. It’s a notoriously slow and cumbersome corner of the industry that consumes huge swathes of time and paper and, this time, we were deeply involved in creating the data standards required to transform the process. It’s a marathon job that spans the entire financial services industry but, so far, we have managed to get almost 450 organisations to adopt electronic transfers with over half of them using Altus software to do it. In parallel to our software business, our independent consultancy has grown to become a major disruptor to the traditional model. Having completed over 1000 engagements, Altus is now recognised as a leading Management Consultancy by the Financial Times and is trusted by over 150 financial services companies across all parts of the FS industry. Not surprisingly, that coverage has led to more software initiatives and the latest one, Finscape, looks set to propel Altus to even greater heights. We now employ over 85 people and last year our revenue passed £10M for the first time – and that figure looks set to grow further even in the face of a pandemic. In summary, Altus is proud to be a South-West success story. Queen Square House, Queen Square Place, Bath, BA1 2LL +44 (0) 1225 438 000 enquiries@altus.co.uk Altus Ltd Altus

Altus.co.uk 354

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

A global pioneer in sustainable banking, using the power of finance to invest in businesses, entrepreneurs and projects that benefit people and the planet.

Photo by Jim Woods Triodos has been operating in the UK since 1995, and has now reached the milestone of £1 billion in sustainable lending to more than 700 organisations. Established in the Netherlands in 1980, Triodos also operates in Belgium, Spain and Germany. Its UK headquarters are in Bristol, and in 2020 Triodos Bank UK received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in the Sustainable Development category.

Triodos has always financed companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment, with the support of savers and investors who want to encourage socially responsible business and a sustainable society. As a commitment to transparency, it publishes every organisation it lends money to, so savers can see exactly how their money is used. A dedicated website: knowwhereyourmoneygoes. co.uk shows these organisations and is also available as part of the mobile banking app.

“We have a clear focus to use money consciously as a catalyst for sustainable change,” says Dr Bevis Watts, CEO of Triodos Bank UK. “Over these years, we have stayed true to our mission to finance change by lending solely to sustainable organisations – organic farms, renewable energy projects, social housing, and so much more. However, we’re also working to change finance, by demonstrating to other banks that there is a fairer and more sustainable way to do business. We want to be a reference point for how banking can be different, showing that you can marry a more sustainable approach to finance with commercial success.”

Triodos knows the positive difference that finance can make in people’s lives and the opportunities it affords to help visionary entrepreneurs with transformational and innovative business models. The organisations and projects that Triodos is committed to supporting are often considered unorthodox by mainstream banks. So, to help them grow, Triodos has used innovative finance models to work with employee ownership schemes, community development finance institutions, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and underwriting community renewables projects.

355

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

Photo by Evan Dawson

B A T H

Dr Bevis Watts, CEO

Innovation and Impact In 2016, Triodos’ own renewable energy company of 22 years, spun out into Thrive Renewables. It remains a visionary company that continues to develop and manage a portfolio of renewable energy projects from Bristol to the Orkneys. In 2017, Triodos launched its first personal current account. It is rated as having the strongest environmental credentials in the UK market, as well as an eco-friendly debit card. In 2018, it launched a crowdfunding website, making Triodos the first bank in the UK to have its own crowdfunding platform. The bank directly connects investors with impactful projects, from community renewable energy, to marine conservation technology to charities and local social enterprises. In 2020, Triodos expanded its impact investment fund offering by launching the Sterling Bond Impact Fund via its investment arm, Triodos Investment Management. As with all the Triodos funds, it includes companies that are helping to lead the way in terms of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, ethics and governance - going beyond the standard environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. For Triodos, innovation goes beyond its own operations. It is working, in collaboration with a vast array of like-minded organisations, towards the ambitious goal of making the entire banking sector more responsible for the huge impact it has on people and the planet. Notably, it is a founder member of The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) and The Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), as well as being a founding signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking.

employees who have been drawn to Bristol by its history of creativity and socially conscious spirit. While the bank operates across the whole of the UK, it is committed to participating in activity to support its home city. Triodos had been an active supporter of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership and the city’s 2015 European Green Capital Award. Co-workers are encouraged to engage with local action, from annual Pride celebrations and sustainable travel challenges, to the 2019 climate strikes. Triodos believes that the future of banking, and finance, lies in a far better understanding of the impacts of the investment decisions we all make, and is working to create a more sustainable economy where we are better able to connect our use of money with benefit to people and our planet.

Triodos is also committed to building a growing community of businesses that recognise they have a responsibility to more than just profit. In 2015, Triodos was the first European bank to achieve B Corp certification, demonstrating commitment to working for environmental and social good.

Triodos Bank UK +44 (0) 330-355-0355

Being based in Bristol has enabled the bank to tap into a broad community of innovative and sustainably focused organisations, and to attract

triodosbankuk triodosuk triodos-bank

triodos.co.uk 356

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

FinTech West brings together the West’s finest fintech

Sam Seaton, CEO of Moneyhub presenting at a FinTech West event FinTech West is the representative body for all things FinTech related in the South West and aspires to provide a focal point for communication, engagement and collaboration between numerous regional, national and international stakeholders.

FinTech West joined the FinTech National Network, which was founded in the same year by Innovate Finance, FinTech North and FinTech Scotland. The Network also includes FinTech Wales and FinTech Northern Ireland.

Operating on a not for profit basis, FinTech West works tirelessly to promote and represent the region’s FinTech interests across a range of disciplines and interests including policy making, funding, innovation hubs, startups and scaleups through to corporate organisations. We regularly host events covering a wide range of subject matters which are likely to be of interest to our 1000+ registered contacts and have covered many topics ranging from national to local interest as well as providing a platform for local FinTechs to tell their story.

In 2021 we plan to build on this progress so we can support the growth of FinTech in our region and beyond. Of course, 2020 put a dent in the great momentum we were building with face-to-face seminars, but we’ve hosted a number of virtual events with strong engagement from across the South West and further afield. In future we aspire to deliver a blend of physical and virtual events, and to develop our reach via other activities such as enhanced communications and new ways for the region’s FinTech community to engage with each other.

FinTech West evolved from what was originally known as Bristol FinTech, and was founded in 2016 by a group of businesses operating in the city including Barclays, PwC, Deepbridge Capital, Hargreaves Lansdown and Clarke Wilmott before becoming an entity in its own right. In 2019,

2021 is an important year for FinTech in the UK. The publication of the UK FinTech Review is expected to strongly support the growth of the sector nationally across the UK. We had the opportunity to provide input to the Review via our role in the FinTech National Network. Additionally,

357

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

a number of the FinTech community from the South West contributed to the Review via their involvement in the workstreams that make up the review, not least the ‘national connectivity’ chapter which was led by Tech Nation.

B A T H

possible rather than adopting a model that would exclude non-members. We want everyone to feel they are a member of the FinTech West community. We would like to thank everyone who has supported FinTech West over the previous years, and we hope to have you all with us on the journey through 2021 and beyond.

Our aspirations for 2021 include:

• Delivery of more frequent events, including seminars, webinars, roundtables and an annual conference.

• Stronger links to the other regional FinTech ecosystems in the UK, and international locations.

• Forming an advisory board to provide insight, support and guidance. • Growing our presence and the impact we can make, by investing in our

+44 (0) 117 911 5873 Future Space, North Gate, Filton Rd, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8RB FinTech West

marketing, event management, business development and relationship management capability.

fintechwest.co.uk

We are not a membership organisation, as we aim to be as inclusive as

358

“Engineering has always been at the forefront of technological change. The difference is the exponential rate it is growing and the need to disrupt faster in a digitally-enabled landscape.” — SARAH KRUGER, DELOITTE DIRECTOR AND TECHWORKS LEAD

CHAPTER 18

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

WE DISRUPT AND DELIVER SOLUTIONS EVERY DAY, HELPING OUR CLIENTS UNLOCK POSSIBILITIES AND NAVIGATE COMPLEXITIES Deloitte is a global professional services and technology consultancy firm delivering audit, tax, legal, risk, financial advisory, and consulting services to all types of businesses and public bodies. Deloitte’s South West team works in the heart of Bristol and we pride ourselves on delivering an outstanding impact on the reputation and success of our clients, and in pursuing this, we benefit our region’s economy and community.

Our story: Innovation is no longer an option. To stay ahead, organisations seek exponential innovation—the power to shape disruption for strategic advantage. We disrupt and deliver solutions every day, helping our clients unlock possibilities and navigate complexities. Here are a few examples about the work we’ve been doing.

To support our own workforce, we use experiential, online and interactive resources for training. This delivers structured support and an environment for lifelong learning, and we receive positive feedback from our people.

Against the backdrop of Government’s commitment to level-up society, digital skills remain at the heart of the industrial strategy for the future of the UK economy in a post-pandemic, post-Brexit world.

Closing the digital skills gap will be vital to ensure digital innovation initiatives are a success. Online courses will be key in helping many of those out of work to develop new skills and find new employment. This will require access to online services and support in finding appropriate training, and appropriate regulation to increase confidence and protect the vulnerable.

We’re working with universities so students here and abroad can feel confident about safely resuming their studies thanks to simulation and digital capacity planning to access classrooms and facilities. Campus activity can be integrated with intuitive and engaging distance learning delivered through the latest immersive video collaboration tools.

At Deloitte, we are supporting FutureDotNow, which aims to help the digitally excluded, including the 1.7 million households in the UK who do not have access to the internet. We are also working with the Institute of Coding on STEM skills to provide high-quality training which will help develop their skills and increase employability.

Digital skills

361

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Artificial intelligence We recently teamed up with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to help them launch its first public-facing AI-enabled digital service. The technology is designed to assist trademark applicants by ensuring that they have all the information they need to make a valid and successful application for a trademark. The IPO’s customer feedback told them that when applying for a trademark it isn’t always clear what types of trademarks can be registered, how and why applicants must describe their goods and services when applying, and how much an application will cost. This confusion makes it difficult for small businesses to protect their brand and identity. In the 12 month period before the IPO engaged us, its classification team received more than 4000 emails, 2000 calls and 500 visits from customers that needed clarification and guidance. The IPO knew this wasn’t acceptable and needed to act fast.

362

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Space-enabled drones

By assembling a multidisciplinary team, who worked alongside IPO staff and developers, we progressed the AI driven tool from POC to full production.

We’re really enjoying working with clients to advance projects using unmanned aviation and drones. We are proud to work with drone delivery service provider Skyports and telecoms giant Vodafone to collaborate on drone deliveries for NHS in Scotland in response to a COVID-19 funding initiative. The flights use mobile connectivity and space-based technology.

We applied state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to ensure that the tool will highlight potential issues that can lead to an application being rejected; and it will surface any existing trademarks that may be too similar.

Pick-ups that previously took up to 48 hours to be transported between healthcare sites now takes only 30 minutes and with a much higher frequency.

We engaged with both trademark examiners and novice users to iterate the tool over the outcomes of these sessions. The result of the process culminated in the launch of a public beta in October 2020, which means that potential applicants now have access to easy to understand and relevant information which allows them to check their application before submission.

NHS staff are able to make on-demand and scheduled requests for supplies, via a customer web interface developed by Deloitte. Live tracking of the drones is available via the web application.

363

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

The drones are remotely piloted from the Skyports’ Operations Centre in Argyll and Bute and fly automatically along predefined routes. Communication between the drone and the ground control station is provided using Vodafone’s 4G network and satellite communications to ensure connectivity coverage is provided at all times for safety reasons. This project is a powerful example of the value that drones could bring to communities and wider society in the coming years, as businesses collaborate to further develop the technology.

Our TechWorks team:

TechWorks is home to Deloitte’s technology delivery capabilities in the South West & Wales. Our multi-skilled creative engineering and design team based in the region also includes individuals with National Security Clearance. This make up enables us to deliver end to end solutions, testing, DevOps and Cloud, UX/UI design, product strategy and research, business analysis and delivery management.

Sarah Kruger, Director and TechWorks Lead

We provide a local face to the scale, depth and breadth of Deloitte’s global technology delivery and wider expertise. Our close proximity to clients in the region allows easy access to the project team, quality collaboration and a more agile way of working. We partner with clients across all sectors including Public, Private, Financial Services with particular experience in Defence & Security, Higher Education and Space.

Sarah Kruger +44 (0) 117-984-3666 skruger@deloitte.co.uk Deloitte UK blogs.deloitte.co.uk

deloitte.co.uk 364

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Change is exciting

A three dimensional client service

Established in Bristol and now advising companies all around the world, international law firm Osborne Clarke has always looked to the future.

By focusing on our clients, our people, our local communities and our own business, Osborne Clarke believes that making life better for these first three groups will, in turn, allow our business to flourish.

Anticipating business, consumer and cultural trends is not just a defensive strategy – it opens up a world of opportunities for client expansion, new markets, and the development of new products and services.

We have developed a three dimensional approach that combines the two dimensions that have been successful for many years, with a third dimension: Transformation.

Because of our future focus, we were one of the first regional firms to open in London. We were also the first UK law firm to open an office in Silicon Valley, California.

Our client service now has three interlinked aspects: – excellent legal services and undoubted legal expertise; overlaid with

Our strength in the technology sector is well established, both in the UK and around the world. We work closely with clients to support them on the ground in the markets that are most important for them.

– in-depth knowledge of their sectors; and – Transformation, through the lens of three macroeconomic trends that we believe will have the biggest impact on our clients over the next five years: Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, including the transition to a net zero future and the ever-evolving Urban Dynamics of how we live, work and travel.

Bristol and the South West has one of the most exciting technology sectors in Europe. We continue to advise many of the region’s most innovative and successful companies, including on mergers with other companies here and abroad. We also advise local companies on strategic investments from global players to fund expansion.

osborneclarke.com

365

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Accelerating change

Osborne Clarke Solutions

During the covid-19 crisis, most people’s lives in most countries of the world have been irrevocably changed. For the majority of people, life hasn’t been better. But the pandemic has accelerated long forecast changes in the world of work and the world of living.

We don’t just advise on technology, we also invest in our own bespoke platforms and innovative solutions for clients. Osborne Clarke Solutions is our client-side legal technology arm. Our team is comprised of lawyers, developers, designers and project managers who listen, advise and build practical solutions to real problems. Our custom-made client tools are practical, helpful, easy-to-use and deliver real world value.

Osborne Clarke has advised on digital transformation for many years. This experience meant we seamlessly transitioned all our people to working from home when the pandemic hit. At the same time, we supported our clients in managing the risks and opportunities they faced during this revolution in working.

Osborne Clarke Solutions is recognised as a provider of choice for pioneering legal services technology and innovation that transforms the delivery of legal services.

We are experts in understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by urban dynamics. Central to this is the development of ‘smart cities’. Smart cities require the interoperability of technology and standards, net zero energy, new finance models and interdependent city-wide assets built on a platform of connectivity and open data.

Pursuing net zero and fighting climate change With climate change posing a significant challenge to our planet, our personal lives and our businesses, international bodies and governments across the globe are setting net zero emissions goals. This puts the onus on all organisations and individuals to make significant changes.

More information To find out how we can help to transform your business, please contact:

Our decarbonisation team can advise you on how to deal with the legal implications of changes in corporate decarbonisation strategies and business models, carbon reporting obligations, and how best to engage with new regulatory frameworks.

Peter Clough Head of the Bristol Office, Osborne Clarke T +44 117 917 4060 peter.clough@osborneclarke.com

Innovation in mobility blends Digitalisation, Urban Dynamics and Decarbonisation. It’s a topic we have advised on for almost 200 years. From the Great Western Railway in the 19th century to autonomous vehicles in the 21st century, transport innovation is not new to us.

Dan Wright Head of Osborne Clarke Solutions T +44 330 313 4100 dan.wright@osborneclarke.com

Building back better

osborneclarke.com

We believe that innovation in decarbonisation starts at home, so we are investing in our spiritual home in Bristol. In 2022, our employees and facilities will move to the Halo building in Finzels Reach. This environmentally outstanding building will set a high benchmark for the region and the UK and it will be a showcase for what can be achieved in a smart green building.

@OsborneClarke www.linkedin.com/company/osborne-clarke/

366

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Trusted architectural partners

THE FUTURE OF PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGY Filwood Green Business Park

offsite production processes promise game-changing boosts to quality, safety, resource-efficiency, and so on.

Like all professionals, architects have travelled a long way since the pre-digital age. The way we work in our own practice - Stride Treglown, headquartered in Bristol - is today utterly unrecognisable from the way things used to be when we were first established back in 1953. We not only have a completely new box of tools in the form of brute computer processing power and sophisticated software, but the very way we work has been transformed with new procurement routes and delivery platforms too.

We’ve invested in both and, indeed, are bearing the fruit with a growing order book and reputation for technological expertise in these areas.

Re-connecting However, technology is not an end in itself. What justifies it – what matters – is the purpose to which it is put. This is a question that goes to the very core of our responsibility and authenticity as professionals. Why are we using it? What are we trying to achieve?

This was not an overnight, once-only switch, of course. It has been a gradually accelerating sweep of change that continues feverishly even now.

For us the answer is reassuringly humane and prosaic: connection. Boiled right down, we understand the purpose of our professional technology to be about regeneration: reconnecting society with the natural environment that supports it, people with their communities, us with our friends, families and loved ones – through architecture.

Amid the constant churn and the head-turning gizmos that accompany it, it’s hard to keep your eye on the ball. Some of these trends are mature and by now inevitable. For example, at the cutting edge of information technology, innovations like BIM, new data protocols, compelling 3D modelling capability, and even immersive virtual reality visualisation are here to stay.

An environmental fix?

As we clear our heads from a decades-long technological fix, which has been an overwhelming success story, we’re also waking up to its unintended consequences: the emergency of anthropogenic climate change, resource depletion, pollution, habitat loss, and social inequality; the

Other trends are less certain but seem like good bets. For example, from across the sectoral divide, advanced manufacturing techniques and

367

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Bristol Business School, UWE Bristol

desolation of our high streets; and the inexorable rise of lifestyle diseases and mental health disorders.

To back up our commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030, we’ve invested in One Click life-cycle analysis software to minimize the true lifetime carbon cost of all our design choices. Wherever possible, our work incorporates technology to make the environmental impact of user behaviour transparent, including real-time displays of energy use at our solar-powered Cardiff office and water use on taps in schools. Our soft R&D includes a variety of thought experiments for restoring, maintaining and enhancing connection through places. For example, our Gardenia project reimagined urban blocks as sustainable, connected living clusters in balance with nature. Our Waters of Bath and 52 Big Ideas for Bristol projects applied our hard-won, intimate understanding of these two well-loved cities to conceptualize a better environment for their citizens.

Paradoxically, the very thing that has contributed to the disconnect – technology – will be the thing that heals it again, provided we’ve learnt our lesson and will collaborate to make it better.

Using Technology in a human-centred way Since unintended consequences are an ever-present risk, we’re increasingly vigilant as we implement our hard tech innovation. We consult our clients and users, verify our designs with our project partners, and validate our buildings once they are in use to guard against wrong turns and, just as importantly, improve continuously. Because human transactions happen at the local scale, localness is our focus at every stage along the development cycle, with technology merely an enabling tool. For example, our unique Inhabitant project is a kind of rolling forum for unflinching user feedback, where we visit the users of the buildings we design to hear what they like and dislike about them, yielding lessons to update our practice.

So, while the future of professional technology is indeed about innovative widgets, for us it can only ever be to enable a responsible, ethical desire to restore balance and safeguard connection. With human interaction in crisis as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, this message is more important than ever. Stride Treglown is the region’s leading multi-disciplinary architectural practice, trusted partners to public and private clients large and small: come talk to us.

In collaboration with the University of Bristol and others, our Shaping Future Places Toolkit investigates better, more immersive platforms for town planning to involve citizens in real-time augmented reality co-design, getting them to engage emotionally as well as intellectually in the longterm future of their communities.

Stride Treglown +44 (0) 117-974-3271 pierrewassenaar@stridetreglown.com robertdelius@stridetreglown.com StrideTreglown stridetreglown stride-treglown

We’re experimenting with online voting tools to capture client feedback iteratively as we develop the brief. In line with growing expectations for research and university teaching buildings to nudge chance encounters and promote the cross-fertilisation of ideas, we’re validating our work with network analysis tools.

stridetreglown.com 368

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

With 40 years’ experience of pioneering low-energy architecture FCBStudios continue to lead the way in environmental design.

Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

Architects for Zero Carbon

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) is an architectural and urban design practice with an international reputation for design quality, for pioneering environmental expertise and a progressive architectural approach. We started small 40 years ago in Bath and continue to be committed to social and humanistic values in our work. We believe excellence in design can facilitate change, improvement and transformation in society and we regularly take part in dialogue on place, heritage and climate change.

As a practice we have tasked ourselves with challenging every one of our current projects to reach carbon zero by 2030 or sooner, and on our existing projects we offer whole life carbon and cost modelling. As founder members of Architects Declare we are supporting our clients in their pursuit of low and zero carbon development. We are engaged with designers and contractors across the industry to improve operational performance and reduce carbon impacts of construction.

Although we are an international practice, we have always worked in our founding city and have strong connections to it. Many of our architects teach and lecture at the University of Bath’s department of architecture and engineering, and our employees are involved in various local initiatives. These include Forest of Imagination - an annual pop-up contemporary arts event in the city - and TEDxBath, a one-day conference focusing on local ideas and issues. TEDxBath is an independent part of the global TED organisation.

Architects for Heritage In addition to our long-standing expertise in sustainability we are experienced award-winning heritage architects. The UNESCO city of Bath continues to offer a unique inspirational backdrop to work, and we are proud to complete local projects which make a difference to our community. A current example is our work on the Bath Abbey Footprint Project where the focus is repair and conservation work to the historic floor, revealing

369

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Archway Project

Bath Abbey Footprint Project

Architects for Innovation

large parts of it for the first time in 150 years. The project also includes use of the energy from the hot spring water from the neighbouring Roman Baths, as an innovative sustainable heating source. In addition to this we are creating a purpose-built rehearsal room for choirs and visiting musicians, as well as new spaces and facilities that will enable the Abbey to be more accessible and to serve the city, its community and visitors better. A new Discovery Centre will tell the fascinating story of the Abbey’s history.

Continuing our work with University of Bristol we are developing the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the most significant development in the recent history of the University. Located between Temple Meads Station and the Floating Harbour, the site is prominent in Bristol’s geography and arrival experience to the city. The campus will have a clear focus on digital, business and social innovation. It will be a thriving ecosystem that will bring together a critical mass of world-class academic, industrial and entrepreneurial expertise to innovate at scale and shape the skills we need for the future.

An exciting link to this Bath Abbey project, and adjacent to it, is our Archway Project, a state-of-the-art Roman Baths Learning Centre and World Heritage Visitor Centre. This scheme will bring back to life an important group of buildings which have, until now, been sadly overlooked and unveil parts of the Roman Baths that have never before been open to regular public access, extending knowledge and understanding of the World Heritage Site to the community and visitors alike.

Environmental, economic and social sustainability is at the heart of the campus development. Proposals include an energy centre which recycles heat from computers, solar energy, water efficiency, and rainwater harvesting. Demolition spoil will be reused to raise the site out of the flood zone.

Architects for Placemaking We consider that conservation and design are inseparable and that the re-use of buildings is an integral part of creating sustainable architecture.

As a practice we are excited to continue our pioneering work in the region and look forward to igniting new collaborations.

Our most recently completed building in neighbouring city Bristol is the refurbishment of a 1960s former administration building called Senate House. The building now houses a new welcome point and information hub for the University of Bristol with key student-facing functions in the heart of the campus district. As well as offering a welcome and home to students throughout their time at the university, a new SU café bar is also open to the public, creating a social surround for students and the community.

For further information about our practice go to fcbstudios.com Temple Quarter, Bath Abbey, Archway project images © FCBStudios

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios +44 (0)122 585 2545 news@fcbstudios.com

370

fcbstudios feilden-clegg-bradley-studios

fcbstudios.com

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

AT FOOT ANSTEY WE BELIEVE IN HELPING YOU TO ACHIEVE WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU.

Since arriving in Bristol just under a decade ago, Foot Anstey has quickly made its mark on the local legal market. Now numbering over 150 staff in its offices near Temple Meads, it has been highlighted as one of the fastestgrowing law firms in the country.

to help improve transparency and the communication between lawyer and client, as well as to improve central sources of key information and documents reducing the number of duplicate documents during a deal or dispute.

This rise has been fuelled by its enthusiasm for combining technology and innovation to create value for clients. The company started with focussed solutions that could automate repetitive processes to free up lawyers’ time and improve accuracy. Since then, it has experimented with technologies

In recent years, Foot Anstey has become particularly interested in legal tech, an emerging ecosystem of bespoke tools for lawyers. However, it doesn’t just want to buy-in off the shelf products; the firm is building them itself.

371

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

“Co-design and partnership have to be at the heart of legal tech” says Dave Bloor, Foot Anstey’s CTO.

“A bit of down time here or there, for example, is no longer accepted as a fact of life – not when the buyer can see it costing them money.

“You need to be in the same room, challenging each other’s assumptions and shaping the product to fill a gap.

“That influences how you approach things from a legal perspective. To ensure the right balance between flexibility, cost and risk, the bargain between supplier and purchaser may need to be reviewed more regularly in the future.”

“Lawyers, developers and vendors need to leverage each other’s expertise and boots-on-ground experience to really solve the problems and inefficiencies in the legal services market.”

Away from the office, Foot Anstey technologists have also supported and facilitated sessions for Bristol and Bath Legal Tech, a local group that brings together like-minded people from different companies to crack or hack problems common to all law firms.

Foot Anstey has applied that mantra to its shared endeavours with both clients and tech firms. A pilot with Robin AI in 2020 has already produced promising results, allowing the firm to automate aspects of non-disclosure agreements and contract negotiation. In addition, this close collaboration has enabled the two firms to explore fresh opportunities, including piloting additional uses of the technology to improve the delivery of legal services.

As for Foot Anstey’s own future, the firm has consolidated its approach to legal technology under the name Foot Anstey Ingenuity and the technology team are busy building new products to solve client challenges in a holistic way.

Of course, Foot Anstey isn’t only interested in technology for its own benefit. Experienced tech lawyer Martin Cuell heads a practice advising both buyers and sellers of digital services, including many businesses in Bristol and Bath. He has watched their needs change over the course of the past few years, with 2020 no exception.

With Bristol’s reputation for innovation and willingness to embrace technological change, there is sure to be appetite from the city’s businesses.

Foot Anstey FootAnstey Foot Anstey LLP

“What lockdown and working from home have confirmed is that many businesses, even small ones, are now totally dependent on technology to exist,” he comments.

footanstey.com 372

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

TLT. Changing the future of law.

TLT is a UK law firm with local, national and international reach. We support large corporates, public institutions and high growth businesses on their strategic and day-to-day legal needs.

programme is continuing to grow, with the launch of a FutureLaw team and award-winning approaches to solving clients’ problems. As a law firm, you need to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of your clients or you get left behind. We make it our priority to speak to clients about their real pain points on a day-to-day basis, and we often find that in-house lawyers are grappling with the same challenges around efficient and effective delivery to their stakeholders. We work with them to address these challenges on a case-by-case basis, creating bespoke solutions to deliver the best outcomes.

Our offering includes market-leading legal expertise, as well as near-legal consultancy services and a suite of products and solutions developed as part of our FutureLaw innovation programme. Innovation and disruption are not new terms at TLT; we have been transforming the way we deliver services to our clients for years, including through the use of technology and design thinking. This is deeply rooted in our culture and an important part of how we do business.

We bring people, process and technology together as required and help clients to navigate an often overcrowded and complex legaltech market, being clear that legaltech is not always the answer. Legal transformation programmes and process optimisation is often where we need to start and with over 20 years’ experience in this area, we have much to share.

In 2018, we launched our FutureLaw initiative and a £500,000 investment fund to drive change more rapidly in the way we serve clients. The

373

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

Our first FutureLaw offering was the launch of our market-leading AI contract review tool, TLT LegalSifter. We have always been clear that we are not software developers; but we partner with the best legaltech businesses and adapt their products as needed to bring the best solutions to the UK market. Partnering with US-based LegalSifter, our solution empowers in-house teams to review business as usual contracts (such as nondisclosure agreements and terms and conditions) quickly and easily whilst receiving on-screen advice from TLT’s commercial lawyers. The FutureLaw team comprises multi-disciplinary specialists, including lawyers, process designers, technologists, knowledge management experts, data analysts, product and project managers and other professionals. Their role is to design, develop and deliver new solutions to our clients, working alongside subject matter experts across our legal and business services teams. TLT has grown from its roots in Bristol and the South West in 2000 to the firm it is today. As such, we are embedded in the start-up ecosystem in the South West and related bodies, forming longstanding relationships with organisations such as Engine Shed, Watershed, TechSPARK, SETsquared, QTEC and Launch: Great West. We take inspiration from these relationships and collaborate with local businesses and organisations to identify, consider and create new ideas and possible solutions for us and our clients. The year 2020 saw an acceleration in the use of technology in every organisation, including the use of legaltech to process large amounts of information and documents against very short timescales. We have used our solutions to support clients through the twin pressures of Covid-19 and Brexit, and are looking forward to continuing to develop our offering with clients, ready for what comes next.

james.touzel@tltsolicitors.com +44 (0) 333 006 0000 TLT_LLP TLT LLP

tltsolicitors.com 374

I N N O V A T E

5ENCODE Project

B R I S T O L

B A T H

I N D E X 131-132

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios)

369-370

Rob Sheffield

Airbus 47-50

FinTech West

357-358

Rocketmakers 245-246

Altus 353-354

Foot Anstey

371-372

Rotary Precision Instruments

Andy Salmon

Fourth Floor

335-336

Runway East

29-30 91-92 261-262

Arcadis 119-120

Framatome 181-182

Sacha Mirzoeff

Arup 121-122

Fusion Processing

Samantha Payne

Atkins 57-58

Future Leap (Future Economy Network)

169-170

Science Creates

AutonoMe 295-296

Future Space

233-234

Seccl 345-346

Axis Studios

Gapsquare 221-222

SEIMAF UK

185-186

GKN Aerospace

Service Robotics Limited

297-298

331-332

Babbasa

25, 219-220

Bath College

205-206

75-76

40, 51-52

Grant Associates

117-118

37 36 229-232

SETsquared Bath

239-240

Graphcore 135-136

SETsquared Bristol

237-238

boomsatsuma 213-214

Hargreaves Lansdown

Shadow Robot Company

107-108

Bright Green Futures

115-116

HdE 217-218

Solarsense 155-158

Bristol & Bath Cyber

147-148

Health Tech Hub

Solverboard 249-250

Bristol & Bath Science Park

253-254

HiETA Technologies

Bath Spa University

34, 189-192

Bristol Airport

65-66

Bristol City Council: City Innovation Team

151-152

343-344 267-268 87-88

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

207-208

HomeLINK 141-142

South West Nuclear Hub

173-176

Hugh Brady

Speechtools 293-294

Bristol Health Partners

299-300

IAAPS 71-72

Steven West

Bristol Housing Festival

125-126

Ian White

Stride Treglown

Bristol Innovators Group Bristol Quantum Information Institute Bristol Robotics Laboratory

29-30, 251-252 263-264 95-98

31 367-368

Imophoron 283-284

Structur3dpeople 223-224

Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology

Stuart Harrison

Invest Bristol & Bath

Bristol UNESCO City of Film

327-328

iO Academy

BRL Hardware Incubator

235-236

Kathryn Davis

289-290 376

STUDIO GIGGLE

333-334

211-212

TasteTech 313-314

TEKTowr 43-46

BT 137-138

LettUs Grow

311-312

Thales Alenia Space

Buro Happold

89-90

Living Map

139-140

The Bottle Yard Studios

329-330

Business West

21-22

LOQBOX 347-348

The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS)

Caleño Drinks

307-308

LuJam Cyber

61-62 255-256

Capgemini Engineering

133-134

Max Brown

The Food WorksSW The Hive

145-146 40

59-60

257-258

The Park

315-316

The Stable

259-260

Carbometrics 285-286

Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal

CENTAUR 103-104

Biology

Charles Radclyffe

Moneyhub 351-352

TLT 373-374

Charlie Widdows

29-30

MyWorld 323-326

Triodos Bank

Natalia Rodríguez Novás

1-2

Tumelo 349-350

Ultraleap 143-144

Clean Energy Prospector (CEPRO)

159-160

279-282

Cognisess 225-226

Natasha Swinscoe

Complete Control

National Composites Centre

339-340

55-56

355-356

University of Bath

33, 193-196

University of Bristol

32, 201-204

University of the West of England

31, 197-200

Cookpad 309-310

NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator

CytoSeek 287-288

Neil Douglas

Datasharp 149-150

Newicon 247-248

VENTURER 73-74

Deloitte 361-364

Nook 123-124

Vertical Aerospace

Dialect 319-322

Nova Systems

Viper Innovations

243-244 39

63-64

53-54 39, 83-86

Nuclear South West

177-178

Virti 271-274

DNV 161-162

OKKO Health

275-276

Visit Bath

19-20

Efinor 179-180

Open Bionics

36, 101-102

Visit Bristol

17-18

Elumotion 99-100

Osborne Clarke

Elvie 277-278

Paul O’Collins

ENGIE Ineo Nuclear

183-184

Perceptual Robotics

105-106

Network

Engine Shed

241-242

Play Sports Network

337-338

West of England Combined Authority

Digital Health (University of Bristol)

303-304

Engineering & Mathematics Department

Poku Osei

(UWE)

Pure Planet

265-266

365-366 28

25 167-168

voi 69-70 West of England Academic Health Science

Weston College

35, 301-302 9-16 209-210

Windey 163-164

Esoterix 77-78

QRoutes 79-80

YTL Developments

111-114

Exmoor Pharma

Renewable Exchange

Zeetta Networks

129-130

291-292

165-166

375

I N N O V A T E

B R I S T O L

B A T H

HOW INVEST BRISTOL & BATH CAN HELP YOU Invest Bristol & Bath (IBB) is the inward investment agency for the West of England Combined Authority. Our team is here to support businesses interested in growing, innovating and collaborating in the West of England through a range of tailored services to help your business thrive. Our team is experienced, knowledgeable and well connected. Our services include:

• • • • • • • •

Bespoke research and provision of regional economic information to support business planning Talent support in accessing and recruiting high quality staff Support in identifying the right property and location for your business Relocation advice, support and assistance for staff Simplified access to relevant council, regional business services and suppliers Introduction to cluster networks; meet-ups and event activity in the region Ongoing support ensuring your business continues to develop and grow Internationalisation support through invitations to join virtual and trade missions, as well as links to the Department for International Trade.

Leading marketing and e-commerce firm PushON, founded in Manchester in 2005 with offices in Edinburgh and now in Bristol, describe how working with IBB made their journey that much easier.

“IBB has been incredibly helpful in making our transition into Bristol a smooth one. The team helped source our office at Runway East and introduced us to the region’s top digital and technological companies. Their knowledge of the region and its networks meant they could recommend meet-ups, events and webinars in the region which will be instrumental to us making the right connections, saving us time and helping to launch our company quickly. The IBB team will be integral to us moving forward with expansion efforts in the region.” — Timothy Willis, Head of eCommerce, South West, PushON.

We’d love to replicate the service we provided to PushON with you. We want to learn more about your business and how we can provide the right level of support, all completely free of charge.

376

For further information and to speak to a member of the team, please contact us at:

Invest Bristol & Bath 3 Rivergate Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6EW

invest@bristolandbath.co.uk +44 (0) 117 428 6211 investbrisbath invest-bristol-&-bath

bristolandbath.co.uk

“Nothing we do can change the past, but everything we do changes the future.” — ASHLEIGH BRILLIANT

Photo by: The Roman Baths, Bath