08.07.08
Anniversary for CUC Innovators

July 2008 marks the first anniversary of the 'KnowHow' Innovators' Forums – a quarterly series of events hosted by Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) which have brought together some of the brightest minds and most innovative businesses in the region to share ideas and stimulate new associations.

The first 'KnowHow' meeting was held in the summer of 2007, at the Tremough Campus in Penryn, to provide a creative arena in which local entrepreneurs might benefit from each other's expertise and experience and, through seminars and visiting business leaders, enhance their leadership capabilities. The success of that inaugural forum led to participating businesses requesting an ongoing series of events. Subsequent themes have included 'Innovative Thinking for Change' and 'Dealing with Distance' where guest speakers and delegates infused the meetings with new ideas and possibilities for working together.

The fourth event being held at Knowledge Spa, Treliske on 16 July will address how successful businesses can progress to a new level of profitability and will feature an expert panel of guests giving insights and valuable advice on the subject. The panel will include Garvis Snook, Chief Executive of Rok Group, Rob Seymour of Finance Cornwall and successful local entrepreneur Trevor Howard.

Phil Ugalde of Proper Cornish, one of the well known faces of Cornish business who has been a part of the KnowHow success story, describes how it has benefited him: "Being part of the KnowHow Innovators' Forum helps to keep my mind fresh and inspirational when developing ideas with our team at Proper Cornish. Opportunity for conceptual thinking should be built in to every organisation's strategy and, in my view, this forum is proving to be an invaluable tool in Cornwall's quest to be seen to be at the forefront of innovation."

The CUC Business Team facilitates the forums and has been delighted that the meetings provide a beneficial opportunity for the business community. Peter Castell, Head of the CUC Business Team explains: "To think that we launched the first forum a year ago and it's still going strong, building its own momentum, is incredibly exciting for us. We knew there was a vast array of talent and inspiration in Cornwall, but because of the locality and the natural size of businesses here, much of it was isolated and tucked away in very diverse organisations. Our hope was to bring together all this energy – the ideas, the skills, talent and knowledge and allow it to multiply and create a flow of innovation that will benefit and strengthen the economy and attract investment."

Partner organisations Business Link and Cornwall Enterprise have encouraged and supported the KnowHow forums from their inception, asJohn Tregaskes, Specialist Innovation Adviser at Business Link explains: "This forum is an essential resource for entrepreneurs in Cornwall and a means of sharing the wealth of knowledge that is being nurtured and encouraged in the county. It is a fantastic way for SMEs to interact, allowing them to take time out of the day to day business to investigate new possibilities and to think about how they might innovate through doing something better, doing something different."

For further information please contact Emma Stallard, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer on 01326 259908 / 07896 042524 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).

Editor's notes:

Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. The principal partners are the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, 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 Partnership 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
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top