Leading innovation in Leicester and Leicestershire
LLEP Innovation Board members come together from across sectors to create and deliver long-term innovation strategy for the region.
These leaders are using innovation to as a means of building local collaboration, growth, and opportunity, while simultaneously safeguarding future prosperity and productivity.
Origins of the Innovation Board
Working with Government
The LLEP was one of six local enterprise partnerships selected by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to take part in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP).
MIT REAP
The MIT REAP framework is used for growing innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world.
The LLEP completed the programme in 2020.
The LLEP’s work with MIT REAP is now being used as the basis of our Innovation Strategy.
Growing our economy
Our MIT REAP report envisaged Leicester and Leicestershire’s economy growing by 5-10% above the national average.
This will be achieved by creating a high-performing economy developed around existing and emerging clusters.
Supporting growth
Such a vision requires investment, upskilling, and improved collaboration between small entrepreneurial organisations and larger ‘beacons'.
Developing our Innovation Strategy will help to achieve this by increasing regional productivity and supporting growth.
"Through their MIT REAP work, the LLEP sought to foster the innovation-driven entrepreneurial culture and community especially in their key regional strengths. We are thrilled to see the launch of the Innovation Board and Innovation Strategy and look forward to celebrating its progress.”
Professor Fiona Murray CBE
William Porter Professor of Entrepreneurship and Associate Dean for Innovation & Inclusion
MIT Sloan School of Management
Our purpose
The LLEP Innovation Board provides strategic focus and thought leadership on innovation in Leicester and Leicestershire.
It reports to the LLEP Board and supports delivery of innovation activity outlined in the MIT REAP vision document and the LLEP's Economic Growth Strategy.
Responsibility and powers
The LLEP Innovation Board leads on delivery of the Innovation pillar of the LLEP's Economic Growth Strategy.
This is achieved through powers which include:
Providing strategic advice on innovation to the LLEP Board
Driving and coordinating necessary activity and interventions
Increasing collaboration between universities, businesses, and other stakeholders
Assessing policies, proposals and investment linked to innovation
Building collaborations across sectors, with Innovate UK, UKRI, Government, trade associations, and industry bodies
Board members
The LLEP Innovation Board is chaired by LLEP Board director Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL and meets quarterly. Its members are drawn from leading businesses and organisations actively involved in innovation strategy and delivery.
LLEP Board members include:
Up to three LLEP directors
At least one representative from each LLEP priority sector
Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
Space
Health and Life Sciences
Sport
At least one SME representative
Senior executive officer from Innovate UK
Senior executive officer from British Business Bank
Senior representatives of
De Montfort University
Loughborough University
University of Leicester
Our Partners
Our Associates and Stakeholders
Get involved with Innovative Leicestershire
Collaboration is fundamental to achieving our goals. If you are interested in becoming part of what we are doing then there are a host of ways to get involved, from attending an event to relocating your organisation.
