A Teesside University Magazine Issue 7 2020 vision Addressing the grand challenges of our time 3...2...1 Launchpad By land rail and sea AV Dawson gets you there 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 1 07/04/2016 17:21 Conference and meeting facilities in Darlington With a range of meeting, conference and breakout spaces, we’re flexible enough to meet all your business needs, from small group meetings and training days with colleagues to exhibitions and networking events. Features: > prime location close to the A1(M) and Darlington railway station > on-site parking > high specification AV equipment > a wide variety of catering options Enquire now: 01642 384068 [email protected] tees.ac.uk/theforge 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 2 07/04/2016 17:21 3 WELCOME from Professor Jane Turner It has been almost six months since I took up my role here at Teesside University as pro vice-chancellor for enterprise and business engagement. I have spent much of that time out and about talking to businesses to discover what they want and need. It has been extremely valuable and enlightening to better understand the role the University needs to play in the future growth, efficiency and effectiveness of businesses in this region and beyond. Through listening and talking to business but which we know that if it is done well, leaders, I have been able to build a it significantly raises productivity. I am picture of the organisational challenges, therefore delighted Teesside University will particularly around how to do more with play an even bigger role in the future of less, how to be more innovative, how Tees Valley, so that together we can grow to build resilience and how to access our economic base and make a significant the high quality talent that will set your contribution to the region’s prosperity. businesses apart. And to ensure we can work together to address the challenges, here at Teesside I have also used my first 200 days to University we have a new vision and better understand the knowledge and strategy that will cement our reputation expertise that resides within Teesside as ‘the’ prominent business engaged University; which is particularly impressive. university, an engine of innovation that My role moving forward is to ensure we develops world-ready graduates, grows build upon the strong foundations of your employee talent and acts as a engagement the University has with the catalyst for business support, growth and business community and make it even business start-up to ultimately deliver easier for you to access the talent and regional prosperity. capability that resides within our staff and You can find out more about the vision students, to facilitate the development of for both business engagement and your businesses. research and development on pages 5-7. It is vital that businesses from all Along with that, this edition showcases sectors see us as their key partner; some of the partnership work that is agile, responsive and relevant, and the already proving ‘best in class’ and recognised place to go for new knowledge demonstrates the impact of business and that will drive innovation. Teesside university collaboration. University offers the learning experiences that will build the continuing professional development of your people. Leadership Professor Jane Turner and management capability is a particular Pro vice-chancellor (enterprise and challenge for the UK and this region, business engagement) 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 3 07/04/2016 17:21 4 Contents 5 A new vision 21 Reel success The future for research and enterprise Film company continues to grow 8 Customer First 22 Research round-up A major award for University Real-world impact from research 9 BIM success 24 Bright future Outstanding rating for IT graduate set for success research partnerships 26 Enterprise clinic 10 Higher apprenticeships Your business problems solved A new route to learning 27 ‘Inspirational place’ 11 Lift off CBI director-general praises region The new Launchpad for business 28 Research spotlight 14 Insider interview Improving productivity in the The hi-tech world of AV Dawson construction industry 16 Business focus 30 Building business The synergy of technology and tradition Social enterprises revive forgotten trades 17 Just the ticket Success for graduate booking company 33 Forrest Digital The latest tenant at Fusion Hive Editor: Alison Ferst 18 Leading the way Research into synthetic digital life 34 Creative Fuse Editorial team: Economic growth through arts and Adam Balfour Chris Lofthouse 20 My business culture Julie Chapman Gary Martin Hammerhead VR Judy Hume David Roberts 35 Diversity award Claire Thomas Michelle Ruane Top 100 ranking for University Business team: T: 01642 384068 E: [email protected] tees.ac.uk/theforge 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 4 07/04/2016 17:21 5 VISION 20 As a key driver for research and A VISION FOR innovation, the University will use its expertise and knowledge to create real impact by solving the major challenges BUSINESS faced by business and industry. Overleaf, pro vice-chancellors Professor A new vision to lead Teesside University Simon Hodgson and Professor Jane Turner into 2020 looks at how business and outline their vision for research and business and how their plan to build on Teesside research can work in tandem to deliver the University’s success to put its work on the solutions to real-world problems global map. 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 5 07/04/2016 17:21 6 VISION ADDRESSING THE ‘GRAND CHALLENGES’ OF OUR TIME As Teesside University looks ahead to what the future holds in 2020, pro vice-chancellor (enterprise and business engagement) Professor Jane Turner unveils her vision to drive forward the University as an engine of innovation and a catalyst for business growth, strategic partnerships and regional and national prosperity. that, along with our partners in industry, At the University, we will also enhance at Teesside University we have the skills our distinctive research strengths in areas and expertise to overcome these hurdles such as food technology, crime and as well as the ability to capitalise upon the forensics, digital technology and health unique opportunities present in the region. and social care, to enable companies to Local investment in the Tees Valley has apply this knowledge within their business. been strong, with £1.36bn of private sector Equally important is ensuring that our Professor Jane Turner investment in the last five years. As a region graduates are equipped with the right we are also recognised for our enterprising skills, knowledge and behaviours to enter nature and have attracted major investment the workplace, in other words that they From winning the Queen’s Anniversary for innovative technologies such as subsea, are work-ready. We will take a much more Prize for Excellence in Higher Education industrial biotechnology, biologics and focused approach to student employability to being described as ‘the place to do energy from waste and key developing guaranteeing that every student will business’ by the then business minister markets in the area include digital and have access to a work-related learning Vince Cable, Teesside University has professional services. experience, while ensuring that employers justifiably had an enviable reputation for We want to work with even more global are better informed and engaged to reach business engagement. businesses to bring skills and opportunities the graduate talent they need. to the Tees Valley and attract more inward Teesside University has an Over the next five years, it is our ambition investment in to the area. excellent track record for supporting to build upon this reputation and, by using The professional development of entrepreneurship and we want to improve the knowledge and academic excellence regional, national and international on this. Over the next five years, we will generated by the University, to further employees will play a key role in how we place particular emphasis upon student contribute to the economic, social and enable businesses to grow and prosper. and graduate start-up, to ensure that the cultural success of students, partners and Already, with our Leadership Accelerator creation of a viable business is seen as a our community. We want to transform lives and Leadership Forge programmes we legitimate career option. and economies by education enriched by have seen tangible results in this field. These are exciting times for Teesside research, innovation and engagement Using The Forge at Darlington as the University, and enterprise and business with business. Executive and Professional Development engagement will continue to play a key part Naturally, with a plan as ambitious as Centre we plan to expand our offer to in what makes our University special. We this, there are inherent challenges. The business, ensuring organisations have very much look forward to continuing our difficulties facing the economies of the access to relevant learning experiences for work with our regional, national and global Tees Valley and wider North East are well the key asset, people. partners to deliver innovation, regeneration publicised. However, we are confident and economic growth. 9298 R&B Magazine_7.indd 6 07/04/2016 17:21 7 Professor Simon Hodgson, pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation, has a bold and clear vision that research at Teesside University should address the grand challenges of our time on a global scale. Harnessing the expertise of academic staff, teaching, research and business should be brought together to solve real-world problems and enhance the student learning experience – making Teesside the ‘go to’ place for research that makes a difference. out here should have a real impact on developing additional international research the grand challenges faced in our time – partnerships are just some of the ways in the emerging pressures on society, health, which we can achieve this.