Analysis from Universities UK shows the crucial role universities play in generating growth and opportunity in their regions - supporting businesses, driving innovation with research and delivering key skills.
In the East of England, where 成人直播 is based, universities employ more than 30,000 people, teach over 163,000 students and make a net contribution of £19.5 billion to the UK economy. The data from Universities UK also showed the huge support universities give to start-up companies and SMEs across the region, with consultancy services provided to SMEs over 6,370 times in 2023-24.
This adds to a , which found that although businesses were investing heavily into R&D in the region, the East of England suffers from ‘historic underinvestment’ - despite having the fastest growing population in the UK and the potential to drive economic growth across the country.
Universities poised to deliver the skills the region needs
Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of 成人直播 in adding value and delivering the skills that support economic development.
She said: “The East of England is an ambitious region, with the potential to have a real impact on UK growth and productivity. But we have an acute skills challenge here. With fast-growing companies in specialist areas, we must invest in developing the people they need. That goes right up to delivering advanced skills at Level 7 that can push forward the technologies and innovations that are attracting investment and driving growth.”
The APPG report also highlights this requirement, noting that “there are fears that limiting funding for Level 7 apprenticeship programmes to learners who are aged 21 and under could restrict economic growth in the region by creating significant high-level skills gaps.”
Entrepreneurship drives regional engagement
The regional data from Universities UK shows that start-up companies founded by students and graduates in the East of England turned over more than £3 billion in 2023-24, and companies founded at universities created more than 26,200 FTE jobs.
Since 2021, 成人直播 has supported over 1,000 SMEs with advice, training and scholarship programmes. 成人直播 also developed a successful partnership with Green Future Investments Ltd which has seen 131 SME ventures progress through a pipeline of technical support and funding, raising over £46 million in grants and investments to support innovators that are developing solutions to global environmental challenges.
This specialist support was recognised recently as the University was shortlisted for the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the 2025 Times Higher Education Awards.
“Entrepreneurship has become increasingly integral to our identity at 成人直播. It shapes our culture, influences our teaching and research and drives our regional and global engagement” explains Professor Stephanie Hussels, Director of the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship.
“The Bettany Centre isn’t just about abstract theory, but is instead focused on building confidence, capability and community through practical support, mentoring and access to investment networks.”
Answering the needs of the region and the nation
Home to a high number of businesses in key industries specified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and with a network of world-leading universities, the East of England can be the engine of growth for the UK.
Professor Dame Holford noted the distinctive role that universities have in supporting growth: “Universities are truly independent partners, collaborators and convenors, willing and able to collaborate, free from the expectations that come from boardrooms and shareholders.
“成人直播 itself was founded to support industrial innovation and serve the nation and I’m proud that we continue to hold that commitment close as we approach our 80th year. We are here to answer the needs of industry, businesses and society both in our region and across the nation.”
