The period since our All-Partner Conference in November has been dominated by a rapid ramp up of project development, procurement and delivery.
Hear a message from Chair of the Board, Dipesh J Shah OBE. https://youtu.be/3ybO0j2pw64
Important projects currently in their delivery phase include:
1. the Investment Prospectus and Atlas. Our Board has endorsed the recommended projects that scored highest in the independent appraisal. Eight investable projects will now progress and be profiled in the first round of projects in the Atlas. Further announcements and engagement on the Prospectus will take place in the coming weeks.
We’ll be launching our Prospectus and putting a spotlight on some of the featured projects at this year’s Real Estate and Infrastructure Investment Forum at events hosted within our region’s Pavilion from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 May. We are working with many colleagues to create an exciting programme of panel sessions and showcases for that week. If you haven’t purchased your tickets and intend to go, do get in touch with Karen Clarke as we may be able to secure a sponsor rate.
2. an innovation network of networks. We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Cambridge Cleantech and Oxford Greentech who will jointly host quarterly events to bring together innovation network leads from across the region. This new initiative aims to boost the connectedness and strength of region’s cluster networks, promoting collaboration to explore the ‘Art of Possible’ together in a bid to catalyse new business opportunity. The first of these meetings will take place on 20thMarch 2024.
3. the regional data observatory. Colleagues will know from our last Bulletin that we have appointed Better Futures Consultancy to design and develop the web-based Data Observatory Portal. It is expected that the portal will be published by mid-April 2024. From April, we will also commence work to create a Regional Overview Report using data and analysis from the Observatory. This report will present clearer insights into the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the region’s economy and environment.
4. Oxford to Cambridge branding and identity. Following the branding scoping exercise we completed late last year, we’re pleased to be working with thinkingplace further to help us develop a compelling, distinctive and competitive place brand that covers the geography, its assets and opportunities and is targeted primarily at external audiences. thinkingplace will be engaging widely through a series of 121 sessions and focus groups over the course of the next few weeks. From this, they will work with us to develop a place brand narrative. This will shape the creation of a visual language and brand identity based on the narrative and will include new place-led photography presented in a brand toolkit.
5. In the autumn, we were pleased to have worked with the Satellite Applications Catapult and the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Natural Environment Partnership to convene a group of data, GIS and conservation experts to discuss ways in which emerging satellite and drone technologies could assist in assessing and monitoring habitat condition remotely. The session uncovered several project concepts. There’s a further session taking place on Monday 26 February to talk through the outcomes of the initial workshop and to explore the project ideas.
6. A notable highlight has been the Partnership joining Water Resources East as a principal Board member. Given the importance of water-related issues to the growth of our region, it is important for the Partnership to support this work and inform and convene partners on these issues.
7. We are well on the way to commissioning an exciting “landscape scale nature recovery” project which we’ll announce soon.
8. If you weren’t able to join the latest Arc Universities Group webinar on Monday 19 February, grab a coffee and watch the replay. This session delved into the potential of digital twins and what role they can play to revolutionise urban planning, transportation, and infrastructure development.
We are pleased to be supporting and championing two substantial research bids from a consortium of our region’s universities (Cranfield University, the Open University, University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford) related to the development of a Digital Twin for the region.
We have published the Board papers for our 29th February Board meeting. These provide more detailed updates about our work programme.
At this meeting, Board members will be reviewing and discussing the proposed work programme and budget for 2024/25. Our two principle sub-groups, Environment & Sustainability and Innovation & Economy will continue to help us shape these as the year progresses.
On behalf of the whole team, we very much look forward to working with you to secure the success of our region.
Dr Richard Hutchins
Managing Director
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