Mayor Andy Burnham’s visit signals strengthening innovation partnership to drive economic growth

Mayor Andy Burnham’s visit signals strengthening innovation partnership to drive economic growth

Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham was met by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson and other local representatives during a visit to Cambridge on Tuesday (Nov 5) to celebrate and further cement a groundbreaking partnership between the two cities’ innovation ecosystems.

The collaboration, which was officially launched in 2023, is aimed at leveraging the combined strengths of Manchester and Cambridge to fuel the growth of start-ups, attract investment, and foster inclusive economic development across the UK.

The visit marked an important step forward in this trailblazing collaboration, which is the first of its kind in the UK. Leading academic, business and civil figures from both cities were in attendance including Leader of Cambridge City Council Cllr Mike Davey; Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and Dr Kathryn Chapman, Executive Director, Innovate Cambridge.

The delegation also included representatives from the business community, including AstraZeneca, which is deepening its support for entrepreneurial ventures through mentorship and collaboration.

The day began with a tour of Cambridge’s West Innovation District, an area known for its cutting-edge facilities and academic institutions, a visit to AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre, and also featured the opening of The Glasshouse, a new facility from Innovate Cambridge.

Mayor Burnham said: “Our two places have distinct identities and unique strengths, but we also have a lot in common – world-leading universities and dynamic, fast-growing economies. By working together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts.”

Mayor Dr Johnson said: “It was fantastic to welcome Mayor Burnham back to our region. This visit highlights our pioneering partnership with Greater Manchester, where our ambitions for innovation-led growth and our strengths in academia and R&D, offer great opportunities for collaboration.”

Read more about the visit on the University of Cambridge website: https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/greater-manchester-and-cambridge-strengthen-innovation-partnership-to-drive-economic-growth?utm_campaign=news&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social