By Rajinder Bhuhi, Forging Ahead Project Manager
It’s been just a few weeks since I stepped into the role, and already the project is gathering pace. While we’re still in the early stages, there’s something incredibly energising about laying the groundwork, especially when it involves putting the right structures in place and building a brilliant team:
- Cameron Bonser, Marketing and Communications Manager
- Pernille Hjort Boll, Peer-to-Peer Learning Manager
- Sue Grogan, Project Support Lead
- Rhianna Briars, Network Manager
Together, we’ll be working to strengthen connections between institutions, share knowledge across the region, and amplify the impact of technology transfer. This means supporting technology transfer professionals commercialising research, enabling collaboration and helping our universities unlock even greater value from their research and innovation.
We’ve also established our Project Governance Team, which has already held its first meetings to guide delivery and ensure accountability. Alongside this, our Evaluation Team, including colleagues from City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and our partners at the CRSI who are laying the foundations for measuring impact and improving access to talent in our spinout teams across the Midlands.
With the team coming together and the governance framework now in place, we’re ready to move from planning to action. These early steps are essential to building a programme that delivers real, lasting change, and sets the tone for what promises to be a transformative journey.
Collaboration in action: our first away day
One of the highlights so far has been our first Project Away Day, hosted at Loughborough University Sport Park, within the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park. It followed our inaugural Forging Ahead Council meeting, chaired by Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University.
We were welcomed with words from Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University and Principal Investigator of the project, and Dr Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation.
It was encouraging to welcome 50 technology transfer professionals from all 15 partner universities, who came together to explore future skills needs, share insights, and begin shaping the evaluation framework that will guide our progress.
The strength of collaboration across the Midlands was on full display, and it’s clear that this partnership is ready to do something special. The energy in the room was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together.
Birmingham Tech Week
This week is of course Birmingham Tech Week - the project's first major opportunity to join our partners from Midlands Innovation, Midlands Mindforge and the 'Invest in UK' R&D Campaign - all under one roof at Midlands House, The Exchange, Centenary Square.
We have two action-packed days planned on 22nd and 23rd October, including a major announcement to come for anyone working in the region's innovation ecosystem. Stay tuned to find out what!
Explore the full Midlands House programme.
We'd love to see you there. If you’re planning to attend, we'd love to say hi!
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