The University of Strathclyde was able to play host to a drop-in Hub as part of the Department for International Trade’s exporting roadshow which took place in May.
The venue for the Hub which proclaimed that ‘Exporting is Great’ was outside the University’s Technology and Innovation Centre and Inovo Building ahead of the Energy Exports Conference, which took place in Aberdeen on June 18th and 19th.
It was a fitting location given its position in the new Glasgow City Innovation District, launched in February to help collaboration between academia, business and industry in order to bring competitive advantage to Scotland.
The aim of the hub was to highlight exporting opportunities for companies in the energy sector and was visited by Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade. He spoke to representatives from local businesses about the importance and opportunities of the UK supply chain exporting its products and expertise to global markets.
The reason behind Glasgow City Innovation District being selected as the location for the Hub was that it is home to a wide range of organisations working in the energy sector including: the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Advanced Nuclear Research Centre, The Weir Group, Energy Technology Partnership, Renewables Consultancy Group, Smartest Energy, ARBNCO, Electricity Supply Board, Centre for Energy Policy, Institute for Energy and Environment, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Power Networks & Smart Grids, Centre for Ground Engineering & Energy Geosciences, Energy Systems Research Unit, Scottish Power Advanced Research Centre.
The University of Strathclyde is home to one of the largest energy research clusters in Europe and brings together research from across disciplines to address the many energy challenges of the 21st century.
Adrian Gillespie, Chief Commercial Officer for the University of Strathclyde, said: “Glasgow and Scotland boast huge strengths in the energy sector, particularly in offshore energy, with the University of Strathclyde playing a leading role in advancing the energy systems of the future.
The purpose of the Innovation District is to transform the way academia, business and industry collaborate to bring competitive advantage to Scotland by bringing together researchers and high-growth firms with technology and creative start-ups, to work side-by-side in a vibrant, walkable innovation community.
The District is the result of a successful partnership between Glasgow City Council, the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurial Scotland, and brings together ambitious, forward-thinking people focused on tackling societal and global challenges and driving inclusive economic growth.
The Energy Exports Conference was co-hosted by Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise alongside organising partners Energy Industries Council, Department for International Trade, Oil & Gas Authority, Oil & Gas UK, Opportunity North East and UK Export Finance. The event was also supported by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), Decom North Sea and Subsea UK.
