Intec, Parc Menai Pencoed Technology Centre Bangor, Gwynedd Bridgend, South LL57 4FG CF35 5HZ

T: 01248 671101 T: 01656 861536 F: 01248 671102 W: www.bic-innovation.com

INNOVATION NETWORK PARTNERSHIP WALES PARTNERIAETH RHWYDWAITH ARLOESEDD CYMRU

North Wales - Gogledd Cymru

Date: 20 May 2008 Location: Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Delegate:

Name Organisation Email 1 Jon Pinnington Cyngor Ynys Mon Council jdppl@.gov.uk 2 Selwyn Williams Cyngor Gwynedd [email protected] 3 Gafyn Owen Design Wales [email protected] 4 Huw Watkins BIC Innovation [email protected] 5 Dr John Parkes Welsh Assembly Government DE&T [email protected] 6 Jennifer Rao BIC Innovation [email protected] 7 Nia Davies Galeri [email protected] 8 Vicky Barwis [email protected] 9 Carolyn Turner NEWI [email protected] 10 Nia Roberts Welsh Assembly Government ITC [email protected] 11 Barbara Nichols Deeside College [email protected] 12 Eirian Harrison County Council [email protected] 13 Sam Williams WAG Optoelectronic KTP Manager [email protected] 14 John Jarvis County Borough Council [email protected] 15 Martin Jardine [email protected] 16 Idris Price KTP Consultant [email protected] 17 Gareth Hughes WAG Account Manager [email protected] 18 Joyce Sneddon [email protected]

Chair Huw Watkins Marketing Director BIC Innovation

Comments made by INPART North members at the round table discussion

Huw Watkins – BIC Innovation

Huw opened the meeting officially by extending a warm welcome to everybody. As Dafydd Davies was unable to attend, his apology was noted and Huw Watkins chaired the meeting.

Apologies were received from the following individuals:

Dr Ann Sudder Welsh Assembly Government [email protected] Dr Gwion Williams Welsh Assembly Government [email protected] Wendy Boddington Welsh Assembly Government [email protected] Chris Ward Health and Safety Executive [email protected] Nia Mon Menter a Busnes [email protected] Dafydd Davies BIC Innovation [email protected] Tanya Keith Technium CAST [email protected] Linda Peel Conwy Business Eye [email protected]

Round the table discussion:

Joyce Sneddon – Coleg Llandrillo

Joyce is the Business Development Manager at Coleg Llandrillo and is new to the Innovation Partnership. Coleg Llandrillo currently has 1 KTP associate and is in the process of completing an application for another.

Martin Jardine – Coleg Menai

Martin stated that Coleg Menai has links with and is also looking at recruiting a KTP in partnership with UWIC.

Coleg Menai Food Technology Centre is currently undertaking numerous NPD projects with food businesses.

Eirian Harrison - Flintshire County Council

The Wales Euro Info Centre has merged with the Innovation Relay Centres and are now able to offer various services including: - Tender information and support - Business co-operation There are currently 250 offices throughout the European Union.

John Jarvis – Wrexham County Borough Council

John mentioned the success of the new direct train service from Wrexham-London. During April 08, Wrexham hosted a very successful Food Festival, following the success of the festival, Wrexham CBC are planning a 2nd event.

Selwyn Williams – Gwynedd County Council

Selwyn gave a brief overview of the activities of Gwynedd Business Week (May 08) and confirmed that all events were well attended.

Selwyn confirmed that there is current funding still available (£5,000 maximum per company) for companies in Gwynedd. Also available is a technology grant (£5,000 maximum) to is specifically to fund innovation and specialist equipment. Anyone with an interest in the various packages available, contact Selwyn.

Carolyn Turner – NEWI

NEWI has recently gained ‘University status’ and will confirm its new identity in due course. NEWI currently has 5 KTP associates, with the hope of recruiting 2 more in the near future. NEWI’s aim is to recruit a minimum of 1 KTP associate per School department including, Science, Technology and Engineering.

Vicky Barwiss – Deeside College

Deeside College is currently focussing on developing Optic qualification, working alongside the Knowledge Transfer Network. Optics and Composites are the key areas where Deeside College are focussing their R&D.

Barbara Nichols –Deeside College

Barbara was representing Deeside College as the Senior Project Manager for Employer Engagement. Deeside have recruited 2 KTP associates in the past 12 months (1 in accounting, and 1 in marketing)

Idris Price – KTP Advisor

Idris is the regional KTP advisor for . He currently manages a total of 26 KTP associates in North Wales. There are a total of 31 KTP advisors across the UK, managing 1,000 KTP projects. Projects usually last between 1-3 years.

All KTP projects can be found on www.ktponline.org.uk

Sam Williams – Welsh Assembly Government

Sam is the Opto-electronics Knowledge Transfer Manager, based in St Asaph. Samantha will be working closely with WOF to ensure that it’s members are represented within the KTN and that suitable and stimulating activities are brought to Wales as well as promoting Wales in the UK and beyond. Sam discussed the Technology Transfer Awards Scheme, for more information, contact Sam.

The Welsh Opto Electronics Forum has an event on May 29th titled, 3D imaging and vision. More information can be found on the WOF website.

Nia Roberts – Welsh Assembly Government

Nia confirmed that Flexible Solutions for Business and Single Investment Fund information is still ’work in progress’. The Innovation and Technology Counsellors have been re-titled ‘Innovation Managers’, however there has been no change in emphasis and it is ‘business as usual’.

John Parkes – Welsh Assembly Government

Funding Credits and IP Credits and planned to carry on for the near future. The Wales Innovator Network currently has approximately 50 enquiries across Wales per month. Gareth Hughes – Welsh Assembly Government

Business activity in the Wrexham area has stayed steady since the launch and introduction of Flexible Support for Business.

Gafyn Owen – Design Wales

There are currently 8 design advisors across Wales, with advisors specialising in all aspects of product design, including textile and NPD. Design Wales currently holds regular branding sessions, the next event is schedule for Caernarfon on 16 July. The Design Wales contract has been extended for 12 months, but its future post 12 months is unclear.

John Pinnington – Anglesey County Council

John is currently facilitating companies on Anglesey who are seeking grant funding. John discussed the Mon a Menai initiative designed to respond to the challenges posed by the closure of the Wylfa power station.

Anglesey County Council is also currently trying to secure a new cruise berth at Holyhead Port. Holyhead currently brings in the most cruise business in Wales, followed by Cardiff and Milford Haven.

With a new berth, Holyhead could accommodate 40-50 cruise ships per season. 5 or 6 years ago, approximately 6 cruise ships would visit Holyhead during the season, this has now increased to approximately 12.

John also highlighted the 1st year success of Anglesey Airport, which has recently carried its 15,000 passenger (with 12,000 being the forecast for year 1)

Anglesey County Council are looking at attracting other airlines to Valley, to fly to London and Dublin. There are currently no plans to operate the Anglesey-Cardiff service on weekends.

Huw Watkins –BIC Innovation

Huw provided details on the Welsh Composites Centre event at Bangor “Composites and the Environment”.

MAS Wales has been extended until Dec 08. The external evaluation shows that MAS is delivering Value for Money in Welsh manufacturing companies.

Next meeting is scheduled for July 9th at NEWI, with a presentation on ‘Optic Technium and Beyond’ delivered by Dr Hastings McKenzie, Head of School Science and Technology.