Minister visits for Rutherford Roundtable

11th May 2022

Northumbria University hosted a special roundtable event and Rutherford expert discussion dinner with special guest, George Freeman, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation in May.

The roundtable brought together 14 key stakeholders from businesses the University partners with to drive innovation and research. The discussion focused on how collaborations between leading businesses and higher education institutions can serve as a driver for regional growth and “levelling up”, provide opportunities for skills development within the labour market, and make a positive difference to people and communities. It also highlighted successful partnerships between Northumbria and businesses based and operating in the North East.

Speaking during a special roundtable event and Rutherford expert discussion dinner, George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, talked about how the North East is leading the way in clean technologies and smart economy, supported by institutions like Northumbria. He said: “something very important is going on in this part of the world, and a lot of if it has its roots here in this institution…”

He talked about how the University is “at the heart of the advance skills of tomorrow’s economy” and is integral to providing “…growth for the UK but also new jobs, new opportunities, new hope for a generation here in the North East, proud of their heritage and now seeing that they’re on the frontline of building tomorrow.”

Watch the Minister's full talk in the video below.

Following the event, additional stakeholders and opinion formers from across the region and beyond joined the Roundtable guests for our annual Rutherford Dinner to discuss some of the most pressing policy challenges facing higher education and business.

The 24 guests took part in a facilitated, expert discussion and a keynote address was delivered by George Freeman MP, Minister Science, Research and Innovation. The dinner widened the afternoon’s discussion to explore how cross-sector collaboration and partnerships can drive innovation, greater opportunity and prosperity.

Watch some of the highlights from the events in the video below.