25.06.07
Cornish companies meet to innovate

An inspiring forum for innovative business people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was launched by Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) at the Tremough Campus near Penryn on Thursday. The forum, entitled 'KnowHow', provides a new arena for like-minded professionals to share their ideas and experiences, focus on innovation and build collaborations.

Around forty entrepreneurs from a broad range of sectors including engineering, manufacturing, IT, catering and aerospace attended the inaugural forum.

Speakers at the evening's event - Mike Addison, who is responsible for corporate R&D at Procter and Gamble and Rob Kinna, Innovation Mentor from Business Link Devon and Cornwall - provided valuable insights into the benefits and opportunities of innovation.

Mike's talk covered the meaning of innovation, emphasizing how it is just as relevant to the success of SMEs as to multinationals, and revealed some examples of how SMEs had worked with Procter and Gamble to develop new products and ideas.

Rob Kinna also inspired delegates with advice regarding developing products and efficient processes. Rob's expertise was highlighted when he successfully pitched on the BBC television programme Dragons' Den and won investment for the Bak-Jak, a product which supports people, such as car mechanics, when carrying out tasks when leaning over their work.

Leading local businesses such as the Eden Project, Gecko Headgear and sustainable composites company, Movevirgo, also displayed some of their innovative ideas and successes to their fellow delegates.

CUC Business Development Manager, Peter Castell, explained the background to the event: "Working closely with Cornwall's businesses on a daily basis, it is clear to see the vital importance of innovation, particularly if companies can be encouraged to network and explore new possibilities across sectors which wouldn't ordinarily meet. The 'KnowHow' innovators' forum aims to provide an opportunity for these things to happen."

After the speeches the delegates had an in-depth discussion about the forum and how it could be developed further. A unanimous verdict was reached that the meeting had been of great value and delegates encouraged CUC to arrange forums on a regular basis and to reach out to an even wider audience in the future.

The CUC Business Development Team can be contacted on 0800 7313870 for more details on future dates.

For further information contact Emma Stallard, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer on 01326 370446 or email emma.stallard@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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