The 5th annual Business of Science Conference will be coming to Birmingham on Thursday 20th May 2021 at Millennium Point to engage with the City’s leadership in science and innovation.
The event, which gathers businesses and individuals passionate about the commercialisation of science, will take place on Thursday 20th May 2021 at Millennium Point, welcoming keynote speakers such as the Chair of InnovateUK, Ian Campbell, Director of Innovation at the CBI, Felicity Burch, and Harry Swan, CEO of Thomas Swan Ltd who will reveal the many benefits that a passion for Sustainability has given his business.
Described in 1791 as “the first manufacturing town in the world”, Birmingham continues to be at the centre of Industrial Manufacturing, the commercialisation of Advanced Materials and an increasing home for the medical sciences. Digital and Creative businesses are predicted to be a major source of growth providing valuable, well-paid employment for c. 100,000 people by 2030 and Innovation Birmingham will be at the centre of this.
Paul Faulkner, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, a key partner of the Conference, comments: “Birmingham has seen huge investment over the last few years, driven by the plans for HS2 and the Government’s confirmation of this major infrastructure investment will cement the City’s position as a place to invest in science, innovation and the practical commercialisation of science and engineering for many years. Our strong manufacturing and industrial heart have undergone considerable development over recent years, but as anyone who visits the Conference will see, the City is primed to attract significant growth through investment in science, innovation and the skills which underpin this.”
“We are delighted that the Business of Science Conference has chosen to come to Birmingham in 2020 and look forward to long-term collaboration, partnership and ongoing celebration of what this great City can offer. The Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has fully embraced the Conference ethos of ‘Learning about Great Science and Connecting with Great People to Develop Great Business’ and we are delighted to get our members involved.”
Steve Bennett, founder and Managing Director of Business of Science Ltd, said: “Following four successful years in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, it is absolutely fitting to bring the 2020 Business of Science Conference to Birmingham. The Commercialisation of Science is not just a Northern issue, but a national one and where better to demonstrate this than the industrial heartland of the UK within the West Midlands engine. I am delighted at the welcome we have had and look forward to discussing the Commercialisation of Science in the City.”
Delegates can expect a combination of keynotes, panel discussions, breakout and interactive sessions at this year’s Conference. With the overarching theme of the commercialisation of science, speakers will cover topics such as The UK landscape for Innovation, Sustainability, STEM Skills and the academic, apprentice and re-training routes into STEM, along with Science and Wellbeing, the value of creativity in Innovation, a dedicated careers session for students and the rise of the “Phygital” era prior to the Tokyo Olympics.
“Last year, over 190 people attended the event, continuing our year-on-year growth, and we’re expecting 2020 to be bigger and better than ever,” Steve added. “Organisations that are passionate about driving innovation forward are joining us, as well some of the world’s leading influencers in the industry, who’ll be on hand and available to explore the real economic impact of science in the UK today.”
The 2021 Business of Science Conference will again feature The Innovation Awards, open to individuals of all ages – from primary through to secondary school and into later careers. Entries are encouraged from innovators of tomorrow to submit their “science dreams”, with the winning entries being showcased in front of industry-leaders at the Conference where they will receive recognition through PR, marketing, social media and time investment from the Business of Science community of experts.
Elsewhere, the Business of Science Leadership and Special Recognition Awards will return for 2020, acknowledging individuals demonstrating outstanding business contributions in science and innovation. The awards will be presented at the pre-Conference dinner at Malmaison in Birmingham City centre on Wednesday 20th May.
Conference sponsors and partners include BASF, PZ Cussons, Domino UK, William Blythe, The University of Salford, Thomas Swan, We Are IVE, Nexus, Graphene@Manchester and 2M Holdings.
Other supporters include TransitionPlus, Road3, Incaloop, Lookout!, Wakelet, YABA, the British Coatings Federation, West Midlands Innovation Alliance, WISE, STEM Learning and Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the Conference agenda, partners, awards, or to buy tickets for the event, visit: www.businessofscience.co.uk
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