Pioneering ways of meeting the West of England’s economic challenges while building on its strengths are to be explored by a new data and research project.
The Brunel Centre, which will officially launch next year, will bring together businesses and universities with policymakers to support regional growth and industrial strategy. 
It has been created by the University of Bath, UWE Bristol and Futures West, the initiative launched recently by regional business group Business West’s to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and will be funded by UKRI Research England.
Located in Bath and Bristol, alongside a virtual data observatory, its main aim will be on tackling the region’s long-term economic challenges, including raising productivity, growth and innovation, and supporting key regional sectors and firms such as clean energy, digital and data, and business services.
Through its activities and outputs, the Brunel Centre will support decision-makers at different levels of government to co-create private and public strategies that enable local growth planning and further devolution of power to the region. 
It will also work with the West of England Combined Authority, local authorities and businesses across a region that stretches from Bristol and Bath to Swindon and Gloucester.
The centre, which will receive Research England Development funding of £4.5m over the next five years, was officially announced by Research England executive chair Prof Dame Jessica Corner at an event in London on Tuesday.
University of Bath vice-chancellor and president Prof Phil Taylor, pictured above, said: “The Brunel Centre presents a unique opportunity for us to combine the research and analytical strengths from our regional universities with the power of regional businesses to help inform and enhance policy and investment decisions for and about the West of England.
“I am delighted that the centre has been funded and extend my thanks to Research England and to the team behind the bid, led by Prof Nick Pearce of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research with colleagues at UWE Bristol and Futures West. 
“I am excited to see how the outputs can help shape the region and benefit all of us living and working here in the years ahead.”
UWE Bristol vice-chancellor Prof Sir Steve West, pictured, said the Brunel Centre would embed research in the heart of the West of England, delivering insights that were practical and transformative.
“By uniting regional universities, businesses and policymakers, Brunel will produce real-world data and analysis that drives local economic growth, equips people with critical skills, and ensures that research is directly beneficial to our communities,” he added.
“The Brunel Centre’s pioneering approach means our research will be able to make real-world impact. We’re breaking down barriers between sectors to build a collaborative research ecosystem.
“This initiative will help our regional communities grow sustainably, creating new opportunities and insights that respond directly to the needs of the West of England.” 
Futures West chair Sir Iain Gray, pictured, added: “We are grateful that Research England has recognised the Brunel Centre’s potential.
“The centre’s research will help to drive investment and initiatives that will benefit not just our region, but the wider economy too.
“Futures West looks forward to working closely with the centre to ensure the economic drivers of our region’s prosperity are properly understood. This includes promoting the findings to businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders.
“We will also build on the strengths of our relationships across the private sector to ensure the centre’s research programmes are relevant and impactful.”
The Brunel Centre will officially launch next April. Before that, the team behind it will play a key role in Futures West’s Festival of Flourishing Regions next January.
This innovative and forward-thinking event will be dedicated to the advancement and growth of regions across the UK, bringing together policymakers, businesses, economic development experts and community leaders to explore and promote strategies for regional prosperity.
