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Director General of Knowledge & Innovation at BIS addresses UK's Innovation Community at AIRTO Annual Dinner
11 May 2011
Over 120 senior leaders from businesses in the intermediate research and innovation sector gathered at Stationers' Hall on Wednesday 11th May 2011 for the Annual AIRTO Dinner. Hosted by AIRTO's President, Professor Richard Brook OBE, FREng, the occasion was an opportunity for key opinion leaders in the sector to come together to hear from the Guest of Honour - Professor Sir Adrian Smith FRS, Director General of Knowledge and Innovation from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Dr Graham Spittle CBE, Chair of the Technology Strategy Board was also in attendance.
During his speech, Professor Smith spoke about the role of the intermediate sector in driving innovation - a key component of the Government's strategy for stimulating economic growth. He issued an invitation to AIRTO members to push forward a debate on the role of Government in the UK's innovation landscape. A lively question and answer session followed in which some of the strands of this debate began to emerge. "AIRTO is uniquely placed to facilitate such a debate on behalf of the UK's innovation community, and will be seeking future opportunities to nurture this vital dialogue with BIS", commented AIRTO President, Professor Richard Brook".
AIRTO - which is now managed under contract by NPL Knowledge Services - is a members' association for organisations supplying business-to-business and government services in the fields of translational and contract research and development, consultancy, accreditation, validation and testing, knowledge exchange, incubation support and early stage financing. It is a powerful voice for the intermediate sector, supporting innovation in the UK and influencing the innovation climate.
Commenting on the success of the event, Dr. Neil Sanderson, AIRTO's Chairman said, "This a prestigious occasion in the AIRTO calendar, because it provides an superb opportunity for CEOs and senior officers of member businesses to come together to exchange views with senior policy makers and make new connections".
Further Information
To learn more about AIRTO, please contact:
Dr. Jane Gate, Director of Operations, AIRTO
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8943 6354
Email: jane.gate@airto.co.uk