Top senior servants have visited the University on a fact-finding mission to explore future opportunities for innovation and growth in Yorkshire.
The visit, which was hosted by The York Policy Engine and Darlington Economic Campus, involved a tour of the BioYorkshire lab and the Institute for Safe Autonomy.
Both are world class facilities at the forefront of scientific research and innovation.
The delegation involved senior civil servants Beth Russell and Jo Crelin and six government departments attended.
Beth Russell is Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury and has worked in the Treasury since 2000 in a range of tax and public spending policy roles.
Jo Crellin became Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports at the Department for Business and Trade in March 2024. Crellin has worked for the UK government since 2001 and was previously Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery attended the delegation alongside newly-elected Mayor for York and North Yorkshire David Skaith.
The delegates focused on the future of innovation and the role of Universities in driving regional economic growth.
Jeffery said: “As a sector we have long argued that universities are anchors of economic development for our cities and regions; we provide the expertise and resources to allow innovative ideas to make the lead from concept to reality.
“BioYorkshire is tackling biodiversity loss and climate change by translating research discoveries into full-scale biotechnology applications, leading to investment and job creation in the region.
“Research into novel technologies has long been a focus for York experts, and the Institute for Safe Autonomy demonstrates that in order for the UK to become world leaders in AI, we must focus on all elements, from technical development and safety assurances to ethics and regulation.”
The Institute for Safe Autonomy is a research institute dedicated to safe autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
Skaith said: “As Mayor, I want to ensure that the government know how York and North Yorkshire can contribute to nationally significant issues, such as food security, clean energy and reaching Net Zero targets.
“Working together as partners, we are ambitious and ready to drive growth regionally that will see our economy and our communities thrive.”