Whitecap was appointed by The Open University on behalf of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Universities Group to research and analyse workforce skills and associated requirements for growing the Life Sciences sector in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
The Arc is home to the most productive Life Sciences cluster in Europe. The Oxford-Cambridge Universities Project is looking to better understand and harness this wealth of economic resource for the benefit of the region. The Arc has launched a project to understand what is required for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc to be one of the world’s leading clusters of innovation and economic activity in Life Sciences.
Our report identified that the Arc might expect to double the number of Life Sciences businesses by 2030, and outlined what is required to support this growth from a skills delivery and subsequent funding perspective.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, The Open University said:
“The Open University is pleased to have led this project on behalf of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Universities Group, as we collectively aim to develop and significantly grow the Life Sciences sector in region and deliver a material contribution across UK to 2030 and beyond.
“This report outlines various significant skills challenges and funding considerations observed across the region, alongside a set of critical recommendations. These insights provide the foundations of a roadmap to join together and enhance skills development across the Arc – better supporting our Life Science ecosystem going forward.”
Lal Tawney, Director, Whitecap Consulting said:
“The Arc has an ambitious vision to become to be the world’s leading cluster of innovation and economic activity in the Life Sciences. Whitecap was honoured to have supported the Arc Universities Group to define the skills challenges and critical recommendations to achieve this vision.”