The meeting, including representatives from the universities, industry and local government, presented the three University-led themes from the Arc Leadership Group’s Economic Prospectus – life sciences, sustainable aviation, and The Arc in Space.

In her opening remarks, the Minister said:

“The Arc is a driving force for innovation and science, which is at the heart of the UK’s national competitiveness. The Arc has the transformational potential to go further and this is key to our economic priorities.

The Universities have a critical role to play in this agenda and, given they sit at the heart of science, research and innovation and commercialisation,I am very pleased to be here today, to see these partnerships and to hear about local partners’ ambition for the region.”

Ministerial meeting between Amanda Solloway MP, the Arc Universities Group and local partners