Innovation expert Professor Roy Sandbach considers the significance of a major conference on satellite technonolgy being held in the region

I AM old enough to remember James Burke and his ground-breaking Connections television series, so here’s a test - what is the connection between Sedgefield and Comet 67P/C-G ? asks innovation expert, Professor Roy Sandbach.

Well, this week a major conference on satellite technology applications will take place in the region, led by NetPark’s new Satellite Applications Centre. It will bring together people from a host of business sectors to discuss innovation needs and possibilities in this critical future business area. And it’s great news.

Why am I excited ?

It’s easy to fall into an innovation memory trap, recalling how this special region of ours has been the cradle of creative innovation, with railways and lightbulbs; turbines & perspex. But this is a trap for the sentimental and, for me, has little relevance.

The great international corporates won’t bring their innovation demands here because of history and regional entrepreneurs will spend milliseconds looking backwards. We won’t get more and better jobs by looking backwards.

The great innovation regions of the world look ahead, supporting the businesses of 2025 and beyond, developing high-value knowledge-based jobs like those in the satellite sector and enthusing children in these career destinations.

The North-East is looking to create this forward-engaged innovation eco-system.

First, our own businesses need support to grow through innovation. They need super-networks to allow them to partner for innovation opportunity, they need de-risking finance, they need access to facility and equipment that they can’t afford, and more. That’s why it’s so important that NetPark is expanding, including facilities for Polyphotonix, the CPI-supported poster-company of UK start-ups. And why the newly-announced connected digital Catapult centre in Sunderland is a big deal. And why we need a successful Science Central in Newcastle, the new Neptune sub-sea facility, as well as the National Biologics Centre in Darlington. I could go on forever.

Of course, we need simpler & easier access to innovation funding as well. The new Business Growth Hubs will provide a single point of reference for entrepreneurs & businesses seeking support & innovation finance. Also, during 2015 we will have access to considerable European funding. This will be directed to collaborative innovation projects with business-building and community benefit at heart.

Beyond this, we need a credible global innovation profile, showcasing our capability to solve big innovation problems, matching needs with solutions from our region. Collaboration between our Universities and major corporates like P&G, AZ, Unilever, Siemens etc,etc….. shows how we can be strategically competitive for their commitment. That Hitachi is bringing some design work to Newton Aycliffe is a super example. We must engage corporates more.

Finally, businesses need to put their money & effort where their mouth is and get into schools effectively. No dabbling, less whinging, better skills. Money & people in there, bringing to life exciting career opportunities in innovation.

The Hitachi/Gestamp/Sunderland University Technical College is just one way we can do this….really, there is nothing to stop businesses driving this ahead. I’ll speak to this opportunity more next time.

So, we’re reaching for the skies in Sedgefield this week and there is much more to do. Let’s hope it all brings the better jobs that we’re looking for.

Professor Sandbach is chair of the Innovation Board, North East England Local Enterprise Partnership and 2013/14 David Goldman visiting Professor of Innovation & Enterprise at Newcastle University Business School