'I'm proud of university's impact on the economy'

As I approach my final weeks as vice-chancellor at Keele University, I have been reflecting on how big an impact the university has on the communities and businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, in particular as to how that will help the area respond to the Modern Industrial Strategy released by Government last week.

- Trevor McMillan OBE - Vice-Chancellor of Keele University

When I arrived, like many universities, Keele had the reputation of being somewhat distant from its local communities.

That was never really the case, but it was clear that the university could do more to contribute to the area's economic future.

We were able to work with local authorities, NHS Trusts and the Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a transformative programme of work called the Keele Deal, which enabled more than 1,000 businesses to benefit from the university's expertise in areas such as health innovation, business leadership, sustainable energy and the digital economy.

The programmes led to the creation of 800 jobs, boosted the local economy by £80m, and saved 5,780 tonnes of CO2.

Much of that activity took place in the Denise Coates Foundation Building, a purpose-built business hub on Keele's Science and Innovation Park.

The facility is home to the Keele Business School, and operates as an open building for local businesses to meet informally to collaborate with each other and the university.

We have also doubled the footprint of Keele's Science & Innovation Park over the last 10 years.