Greg Clark officially opened the facility today which is a joint initiative between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and aims to help create 1,000 jobs. TonyMcDonough reports
Liverpool’s £15m Sensor City project has been hailed as “brilliant example” of the UK’s industrial strategy.
Officially opening the facility, a joint initiative between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, Business Secretary Greg Clark, added that it “will bring together the best academic minds and entrepreneurs with businesses”.
Sensor City opened earlier this year and its aims is to become a global hub for the development of sensor technology.
Sensors are integral to what has been called the “internet of things” or the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”. They are increasingly being used in industrial processes to record, store send real-time information via the web.
A number of fledgling tech firms have already signed up to occupy space at the EU-funded facility and its target is to help create 300 start-up businesses and 1,000 jobs over the coming years.
Mr Clark, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: “Our modern Industrial Strategy has an ambitious long-term vision for the UK.
“We are committed to building on our strengths as a country and delivering a high-skilled economy for the years ahead. Sensor City will help us deliver on this ambition and make a valuable contribution to this work, driving forward innovation.”
Others attending the official opening today included Mersey Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Professor Nigel Weatherill, vice chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, Professor Janet Beer, vice chancellor of the University of Liverpool and Alison Mitchell, executive director of Sensor City.
Ms Mitchell added: “Since we moved into this iconic facility earlier this year, we’ve made great strides towards building a community of tech companies that are pushing the boundaries of IoT and sensor innovation.
“Our partnerships – both with academia and big business – are opening up access to world-leading knowledge, support and services.
“Together, we’re creating the skills base for emerging technologies in the North West, boosting jobs for the future and supporting our local community.”