An introduction to

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) response to Professor Sir Tim Wilson’s review of university-business collaboration in 2012 called for the formation of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB).

Following the announcement from BIS, the four funding councils across the UK research councils through RCUK and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) agreed to help fund NCUB.

Rt. Hon. David Willetts MPMinister for Universities and Science, June 2012

BiS will support the council for industry and Higher Education (ciHE) to create a national centre for universities and Business. the centre will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership between universities and business with a view to driving economic growth and recovery.”

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the national centre for universities and Business (ncuB) is an independent not-for-profit business that launched in April 2013, building on the twenty-five year history of predecessor body the council for industry and Higher Education (ciHE).

MiSSionBy effective collaboration, nurturing the right talent, innovation and expertise for the UK’s future growth.

ViSionIncreasing the prosperity and well-being of the UK through world-leading business-university collaboration.

Who are we?

MEtHodThe NCUB will facilitate, integrate and communicate, but will never duplicate or substitute successful work already being undertaken by others.

What we do

inventiveness into innovation and prosperity

SMEs universities corporatesGovernment &

devolved Administrations

talent, expertise and attributes

international & inward investment

inspiration(Best Practice &

Case Studies)

Brokerage(IP, Chatham House Events & Internships)

Action(Practical Projects)

Evangelising(Selling the UK to

the World)

Analysis(Measure

Performance)

ArEAS of opErAtion

typES of opErAtion

tArGEt AudiEncE & pArtnErS

NCUB is led by Chief Executive, Dr. David Docherty. He is also Chairman of the Digital Television Group (DTG), the industry body for digital television in the UK.

David was the first BBC Director of New Media and Deputy Managing Director of BBC Television. After leaving the BBC he led cable company Telewest’s (now Virgin’s) drive into broadband content and services as MD Broadband, and has been Chief Executive of two television and interactive media companies.

In the public sector, he was Chair of Governors of the University of Bedfordshire, and a member of various government advisory panels on new media, technology, and higher education. He serves on the Research Excellence Framework Panel and the Strategically Important and Vulnerable Subjects Committees for the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE). He is on the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC’s) Digital Economy Panel, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC’s) Creative Economy Board and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB’s) Connected Digital Economy Catapult.

The board is led by Chairman, Richard Greenhalgh. Richard spent more than 30 years with Unilever, living and working in a number of countries around the world, finally becoming Chairman of Unilever UK, a post he held until his retirement in 2004.

He now has a portfolio of activities which includes: Chairman, First Milk; Advisory Chairman, Outsource Partners International; Adviser to the Board of Calor, UK; Member Standing Advisory Group Financial Reporting Review Board. In addition to his work in education as Chair of NCUB, he is also a Fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford.

His extensive charitable work includes being Chairman of CARE International UK. He is a board member of British Youth Opera and a Council Member of the Royal Society of Arts.

Who leads us?

dr. dAVid docHErty ricHArd GrEEnHAlGH

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BoArd of dirEctorS

Professor Nigel ThriftUniversity of Warwick

Professor Ric ParkerRolls-Royce

Professor Dame Julia KingAston University

Marianne FallonKPMG UK

Sir Roger BoneBoeing

Sir Richard Lambert

Phil SmithCisco UK and Ireland

Professor Sir Eric ThomasUniversity of Bristol

Lady Susan RiceLloyds Banking Group Scotland

Professor Anton MuscatelliThe University of Glasgow

Professor Janet BeerOxford Brookes University

Examples of our work

From the recommendations of the Task Force reports, we build programmes of work which produce real, tangible change.

From the CDIT Task Forces emerged the Brighton Fuse, a £1m AHRC funded project bringing together over 2,000 SMEs with Wired Sussex and the Universities of Brighton and Sussex to understand clustering within the creative sector. This methodology is now being rolled out to other regions within the UK.

The London Fusion project, a £5m European Regional Development funded project has brought together a consortium of organisations to support and help grow creative SMEs within Greater London.

From the Engineering and Manufacturing Task Force emerged the Talent 2030 initiative to encourage more young girls to take up physics at school and engineering at university. Talent 2030 brings together social media, outreach into schools and a National Schools Competition, with the winners announced at the Big Bang Fair 2014.

From the Enhancing Value Task Force we are developing the Growing Value programme which includes a series of roundtable meetings on sector specific innovation, starting with Bio-Pharmaceutical, CDIT, Construction, and Energy. Working with our partners in Scotland we will also be looking at the Scottish research landscape and how different sectors innovate.

Actions

In partnership with business and academia, the Task Forces take up challenges for a variety of sectors.

The first was on the creative, digital and IT (CDIT) sector, the second on engineering and manufacturing, and we spent eighteen

months looking at how to get the best out of the public research base. We have recently launched a Task Force on food economy which is co-chaired by Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s and Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire.

task forces“The agri-food sector is one of the most important industries in the UK which is why it is important to plan for the future now.”

Justin KingChief Executive, Sainsbury’s

tHE BriGHton fuSE rEport

The research function is responsible for ensuring that the evidence and analysis that underpins NCUB advice and reporting activities is robust, based on facts and expert opinion and does not duplicate existing efforts. The research function validates the quantitative and qualitative evidence gathered for projects, task forces and published for the Talent 2030 dashboard. It is building a repository of periodical evidence that is relevant for the work of NCUB so that the position of the UK innovation ecosystem can be monitored on-demand. In addition, NCUB research is responsible for specific outputs committed to public funders. These include a review of the current state of demand of graduate and postgraduate skills, with a potential for issuing a periodical NCUB Skills Bulletin; revisiting in each issue specific topics or sectors that members find warrant a dedicated review. The second research

output committed to public funders is a report on the State of the Relationship between universities and business in the UK. With a positive tone, it seeks to bust established myths and offers a balanced view of the spread and quality of collaboration activity in the sector. Looking forward, the NCUB research plan is to expand beyond the above two outputs to include projects on; postgraduate provision, supply and demand, changes in funding, incentives for collaboration and partnership as well as how easy it is to access and exploit academic talent and inventiveness. Following the recommendations from the 2013 Review of Universities and Growth by Sir Andrew Witty, the NCUB is considering taking forward the recommendation of building a portal showcasing research assets across the national geography within the NCUB Brokerage Platform.

research

Working with partners across the sector including the funding councils, research councils (through RCUK), the Technology Strategy Board, universities and businesses to develop a national online brokerage system.

The brokerage network will bring together universities, academics and businesses wanting to benefit from world-class research carried out in higher education institutions across the UK. It will also aid businesses to acquire and retain talent providing a service that will identify and match student work experience opportunities.

Brokerage

“High quality research and analysis is central to our effective under-standing of university-business collaboration and the best tool to inform the choices of our members and wider stakeholders when deciding how to support these joint activities.”

Dr. Rosa Fernandez Head of Research, NCUB

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Sir AndrEW Witty

Who funds us?

Government Agency funding• Dept. for Business, Innovation and Skills (BiS)

• Dept. for Employment & Learning in Northern Ireland (dElni)

• Higher Education Funding Council England (HEfcE)

• Welsh Assembly Government via Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEfcW)

• Research Councils (rcuK)

• Scottish Funding Council (Sfc)

• Technology Strategy Board (tSB)

ncuB is funded through a combination of membership contributions and public funders. these funds help to ensure the core operations of the organisation are covered, as well as the delivery of projects and programmes, research, task force initiatives and events.

Membership

project fundingFrom government, NCUB members and other funding bodies to run specific projects and programmes.

We also plan to offer a member’s only area of the website (www.ncub.co.uk). These will include:

What are the membership benefits?

Membership to the Leadership Council for Chair or Chief Executive

Invites to UK-wide and regional roundtables, breakfast meetings and dinners

Opportunity to participate in relevant task forces and / or working groups

Use of our online brokerage facility

Full version of annual State of the Relationship report

Full version of annual reports on business demand for skills / graduates

Online profile on NCUB website which allows members to showcase business-university collaboration in an interactive web 2.0 environment

Research reports

Exclusive case studies

Webinars

Tools/ templates/ guides

Signposting to other organisations’ websites and resources

for more information about joining and membership, contact our Events and Membership Manager:

stephanie.scott-davies@ncub.co.uk

+44 (0)207 383 8193

* Discounts available for smaller companies

£5k foruniVErSitiES£10k for

BuSinESS*

the leadership council

the ncuB has a unique leadership council of senior business leaders and Vice-chancellors drawn from our member organisations.

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Time commitment is light, with two formal meetings a year. But there are many events available to Leadership Council members if they wish to take them up.

Membership of the leadership council is by invitation only

AdViSES the Executives and Board on the annual strategy

AttEndS high-level Chatham-house style events

EnSurES the Executives focus on their business needs and those of their sector

ApproVES the Board membership

A powerful networking body that has direct influence over government and policy-makers, the council:

ncuBAnnuAl lEcturE

2013Sir Andrew Witty(Chief Executive, GlakoSmithKline & Chancellor, University of Nottingham)

2012Sir Martin Sorrell(Chief Executive, WPP)

2011Rt. Hon. Danny Alexander MP(Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

2010Sir Richard Lambert (then Director-General, CBI)

2013Rona Fairhead

2012Prof. Sir Tim Wilson

2011Sir Rob Margetts

ncuBfElloWSHip

ncuB Websitewww.ncub.co.uk

SUCCESS STORIES

MEMBER’S PAGE

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Members are able to showcase their work on our dynamic and vibrant new website

BLOGS

NEWS

Business Members

olly BenzecrySenior Managing Director, UK & Ireland

robert BookerExecutive Vice President

Anne BulfordManaging Director

david EytonGroup Head of Technology

dr. Menelas pangalosEVP, Innovative Medicines

Sir John parkerChairman

prof. Simon BradleyVice President

Sir roger BonePresident

david AbrahamChief Executive Officer

Alberto de BenedictisChief Executive

Sam laidlawChief Executive

Gavin pattersonChief Executive

ron MobedChief Executive

phil SmithChief Executive

dennis HoganManaging Director

rob WoodwardChief Executive

Jeremy darrochChief Executive

Sir philip HamptonChairman

paul ManducaChairman

Steve patemanExecutive Director, Corporate & Commercial Banking and Head of UK Banking

ian powellChairman and Senior Partner

William MacphersonChief Executive Officer

prof. ric parkerDirector of Research and Technology

ruby McGregor-SmithChief Executive

Antonio SimoesCEO UK and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Europe

John StewartChairman

Vivian HuntDirector

John fallonChief Executive

Marianne fallonPartner, UK Head of Corporate Affairs, UK Head of Charities

Antonio lorenzoGroup Director, Wealth, Asset Finance, International and Group Corporate Development

tracy clarkeGroup Head of Human Resources and Communications

christopher SaulSenior Partner

Sir Martin SorrellGroup Chief Executive

Academic Members

prof. April McMahonVice-Chancellor

prof. Michael thorneVice-Chancellor

prof. nigel SeatonVice-Chancellorand Principal

prof. dame Julia KingVice-Chancellor

prof. Sir ian diamondVice-Chancellorand Principal

prof. John HughesVice-Chancellor

prof. david EastwoodVice-Chancellor

prof. cliff AllanVice-Chancellor

Will ArcherChief Executive Officer i-graduate

Martin davidsonChief Executive

prof. Sir Eric thomasVice-Chancellor

prof. Julian cramptonVice-Chancellor

prof. Julia BuckinghamVice-Chancellor

roly KeatingChief Executive

prof. Sir leszek BorysiewiczVice-Chancellor

prof. colin riordanVice-Chancellor and President

prof. Antony chapmanVice-Chancellorand Principal

prof. paul curranVice-Chancellor

prof. John lathamVice-Chancellor

Arnold longboyManaging Director, Exec. Education and External Relations, EMEA

nuala KerrDirector

prof. Sir peter GregsonChief Executive and Vice-Chancellor

prof. Mike ScottVice-Chancellor

prof. Anton MuscatelliVice-Chancellorand Principal

prof. peter downesVice-Chancellorand Principal

prof. Joy carterVice-Chancellor

nicola dandridgeChief Executive

prof. nigel thriftVice-Chancellor

prof. Medwin HughesVice-Chancellor

prof. Michael ArthurPresident and Provost

prof. Graham HendersonVice-Chancellor

prof. Andrew WatheyVice-Chancellor

prof. david GreenawayVice-Chancellor

prof. neil GormanVice-Chancellor

prof. Janet BeerVice-Chancellor

Sir rodney BrookeChairmanAnthony McclaranChief Executive

prof. Wendy purcellVice-Chancellor

prof. Andrew HamiltonVice-Chancellor

Martin BeanVice-Chancellor

Sir david BellVice-Chancellor

prof. philip JonesVice-Chancellor

iain GrayChief Executive

prof. rick ryanceChief Executive

prof. Julie lydonVice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

prof. don nutbeamVice-Chancellor

prof. Sir christopher SnowdenVice-Chancellor

prof. Keith BurnettVice-Chancellor

prof. John BrooksVice-Chancellor

Geoff MulganChief Executive

John WiddowsonPrincipal and CEO

prof. dame nancy rothwell Vice-Chancellor and President

prof. robert AllisonVice-Chancellor

prof. david phoenixVice-Chancellor

prof. Sir Adrian SmithVice-Chancellor

Sir Alan landlandsVice-Chancellor

prof. calie pistoriusVice-Chancellor

tim Melville-rossChairman

prof. Madeleine AtkinsChief Executive

prof. pat loughreyWarden

prof. Quintin McKellarVice-Chancellor

dr. david BlaneyChief Executive

prof. Sir rick trainorPrincipal

prof. Mark SmithVice-Chancellor

prof. Sir Keith o’nions Rector

prof. nick foskett Vice-Chancellor

phil SmithCisco

prof. Sir Eric thomasUniversity of Bristol

lady Susan riceLloyds Banking Group

prof. nigel thriftUniversity of Warwick

prof. ric parkerRolls Royce

richard GreenhalghNCUB Chairman

Sir roger BoneBoeing

Sir richard lambertDeutsche Bank

prof. Anton MuscatelliUniversity of Glasgow

Marianne fallonKPMG

prof. Janet BeerOxford Brookes University

prof. dame Julia KingAston University

Board of directors

ncuB public funders and partners

National Centre for Universities and BusinessStudio 11, Tiger House, Burton Street, London, WC1H 9BY

www.ncub.co.ukinfo@ncub.co.uk +44 (0)207 383 7667 @NCUBtweets