The Mayor of the East Midlands has praised a newly announced science summit as an “excellent opportunity” to showcase the region’s “outstanding” record in innovation.
The inaugural UK Global R&D and Science Investment Summit will provide a platform for the UK’s nations and regions – including the East Midlands – to showcase their wealth of science, innovation and investment opportunities to a global audience of investors, industry and research partners.
Taking place alongside London Tech Week, the research and development and science summit will see The Royal Society host UK Science and Innovation House on 8-9 June. The summit has been convened by the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign and is co-chaired by Prof Dame Angela McLean, the UK Government’s chief scientific adviser. It is being supported by the UK Government and agencies such as UK Research and Innovation, as well as Mayors, industry partners and Universities UK.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The East Midlands is at the heart of the UK’s future as an innovation nation, hosting initiatives such as STEP Fusion, the UK’s flagship £2.5 billion-plus programme to design and build a prototype fusion power plant. We are also proud to be the region that hosts companies such Rolls-Royce and its ground-breaking aviation, defence and small modular reactor programmes – as well as three world-class universities.
“The summit is an excellent opportunity to showcase our region’s outstanding innovation investment opportunities to the global audience of investors and companies attending London Tech Week and we are delighted to be involved in this pioneering initiative.”
Dame Angela said: “Science impacts all aspects of life and society. It plays an important role in the UK economy and the job market. British science and technology are at the forefront of the UK’s reputation as a nation to collaborate with, where businesses can invest and entrepreneurs can turn their ideas into innovation.
“The summit is an opportunity to showcase the UK’s many outstanding R&D investment opportunities and help accelerate the positive impact that science has on our lives.”
Taking inspiration from global innovation gatherings such as SxSW and Slush, the summit will feature thematic “Zones” across The Royal Society:
The programme will include panels, curated investment showcases, pitch sessions, physical demonstrations of breakthrough science and two high-profile VIP evening receptions celebrating UK R&D and innovation.
The science summit will also take advantage of a moment when the UK plays host to more than 30,000 members of the global technology and investment community who are in town for London Tech Week and other major events such as Founders Forum. By convening research leaders, policymakers, investors and industry under one roof, the Summit will strengthen the UK’s global position as a partner of choice for science, innovation and long-term investment.
Attendance at the science summit will be free, but strictly by invitation and registration of interest. Click here for more information.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, which will host its inaugural Future Innovators reception at the science summit said: “The UK’s world-leading universities are vital to the country’s future economic growth. They make the discoveries of tomorrow and help people to turn those innovations into successful businesses that go on to employ thousands of people in well paid jobs.
“The Global R&D and Science Investment Summit will be a unique opportunity to showcase the immense talent and opportunity that exists within UK universities to investors from around the world, connecting the founders of spinouts and startups with the capital they need to flourish.”
UK research and innovation international champion Prof Christopher Smith, executive chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, said: “The UK is a global leader in science and innovation, with outstanding universities and a creative workforce. In a competitive world, that leadership needs to be strengthened, sustained and showcased. This summit is an opportunity to build from the successful Invest in the UK R&D Campaign to map a path to a strategy for science, innovation and investment for the UK’s growth in the 21st century.”
Dr Helen Turner, director of Midlands Innovation said: “Midlands Innovation is delighted to be convening the inaugural summit as part of our pioneering Invest in UK University R&D Campaign. The campaign has shown that, in the Midlands, universities play a major role in attracting investment, driving growth and creating jobs. Leveraging our global connections to industry, research and alumni, we have helped fly the flag for opportunities to invest in our region – working in partnership with our Mayors, industry and national government.
From the outset, the campaign’s remit has been to provide a national ‘proof-of-concept’ pilot for Government and universities right across the UK. We think the partnership model developed in the Midlands can be scaled right across the UK in support of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and the local growth plans of our nations and regions. The summit is an excellent way to bring this all to life and to end the pilot phase of the Campaign.”
Published on: 11 March 2026
Categories: News, Economic Development, Skills and Employment