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NTU partners with new Midlands Engine Economic Observatory

Nottingham Trent University has become a partner in a powerful new economic observatory which will provide data and insight to support the growth of the Midlands.

Power station and road
The Observatory will provide economic analysis of current opportunities and weaknesses for the region

The Observatory has been commissioned by the Midlands Engine, a partnership of local and combined authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and businesses working together in new and transformative ways to invigorate the £207 billion Midlands economy.

The Observatory will provide economic analysis of current opportunities and weaknesses for the region. It will also develop a comprehensive view of what the Midlands, which is home to more than 10 million people and 440,000 businesses, could look like in 2030 and how this could be achieved.

Nottingham Business School at Nottingham Trent University will work with Observatory partners to initially deliver two flagship pieces of analysis:

  • An Independent Economic Review
  • An assessment of the potential impact of Brexit on the different sectors

The Observatory will also contribute to the work of Midlands Engine strategic programme groups which cover trade and investment, skills, innovation and enterprise, and shaping places.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, who is also the Government’s Midlands Engine Champion, said: “Collaboration is at the heart of delivering our modern Industrial Strategy and an economy which works for everyone, so I’m proud to see two of the region’s great universities come together with the Midlands Engine Partnership and other local experts to develop a rich picture of the Midlands economy.

“I look forward to seeing the analysis produced by the Observatory and continuing to work with our partners across the region to deliver our vision for a strong and prosperous Midlands Engine as we leave the European Union.”

Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, said: “The Observatory will help us develop a crucial piece of the evidence base when we make decisions or present our case to Government.

“We need to develop a greater granular knowledge of our economy if we are to exploit our strengths in the Midlands and increase our productivity. Also it is important that we are ready for what lies ahead – the Observatory will provide us with this vital information at a sub-regional level.”

The Government published its Midlands Engine Strategy in March 2017, followed later in the year by the Partnership’s response – the Midlands Engine Vision for Growth. In this, the partnership committed to creating a Midlands Economic Observatory.

The Observatory is being led by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and, along with the NBS, includes Black Country Consortium, SQW, and Cambridge Econometrics.

Researchers from the AACSB and EQUIS accredited Nottingham Business School have extensive experience of undertaking economic research, evaluation and related strategy development to public, private and third sector clients in the Midlands.

Will Rossiter, Associate Professor and Head of the Economic Strategy Research Bureau at Nottingham Business School, said: “The role of the Observatory is to present robust, intelligent and insightful evidence in a clear, concise, accessible and engaging way. There is already an extensive evidence base available, which we do not want to duplicate, so we will complement, build on and add real value to this by filling in gaps and offering fresh perspectives.”

Professor Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are pleased to be coming together with the University of Birmingham to work as part of an important alliance to support the region. This University-led partnership offers a breadth of expertise to the Midlands Engine which will influence and support strategic decision-making within the Midlands.”

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    About Nottingham Trent University

    Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2017 at the Times Higher Education Awards, and Modern University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

    NTU has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

    NTU is one of the largest UK universities. With 30,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. It is one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings. 96% of its graduates go on to employment or further education within six months of leaving.

    Our student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 88% satisfaction score in the 2018 National Student Satisfaction Survey.

    The University is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable Nottingham Trent to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.

    With an international student population of over 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.

Published on 21 November 2018
  • Category: Business; Press office; Nottingham Business School