What is the Smart Specialisation Hub?

CLOSURE NOTICE: The Smart Specialisation Hub project has now closed. This website is now a static archive.

The Smart Specialisation Hub is an independent organisation, which provides robust, impartial evidence to showcase a region’s innovation activities, strengths and capabilities across several sectors and industries.

We do this by undertaking research, advising on national policy drivers and strategic fit, working with Government and partners and constantly seeking to improve the analysis we provide.

The Smart Specialisation Hub has been set up to work with the 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England, Mayoral Combined Authorities and across the Devolved Administrations, to add to the work they have already done as part of the innovation process.

Project Partners

Knowledge Transfer Network

KTN is the UK’s Innovation Network. We connect people to speed up innovation, solve problems and find markets for new ideas.

The KTN has built a unique network that helps enterprising people and companies reach the full potential of their innovative capabilities.

National Centre for Universities and Business

The National Centre for Universities and Business is an independent and not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports university-business collaboration across the UK.

It is the only organisation bringing together universities and business to influence government and solve the country’s challenges.

Funding Partners

BEIS

BEIS is the department for economic growth. It brings together responsibilities for business, industrial strategy, science, innovation, energy, and climate change.

The European Regional Development Fund

The Hub previously received funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is a fund allocated by the European Union. It aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. The funding was received during the first phase between 10.08.2015 – 31.08.2018.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. They work with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy.

Meet the team

Find out more about the team behind the Smart Specialisation Hub

Abigail Taylor

Policy and Data Analyst

Andrea Wyers

Analyst

Andrew Basu-McGowan

Head of Policy

Chloe Walker Harrison

Stakeholder Engagement & Project Manager

David Waller

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Dr Steve Welch

Director

Hawari Hashim

Analyst

Kelly Botham

Business Support Manager

Laura Reynolds

Policy and Data Analyst

Lyuba Dimitrova

Lead Analyst

Mairi Dillon

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Mark Matchett

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Ross Burton

Head of Smart Specialisation Hub

Stuart Thompson

Senior Analyst

Viola Hay

Stakeholder Engagement Manager Knowledge Transfer Manager - Projects

Zakaria Ismail

Analyst