WMG hosted a visit by Sir Adrian Smith, Director General, Knowledge and Innovation and John Dodds, Director, Innovation from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Meeting with Professor Lord Bhattacharyya today they were interested to understand the diverse research undertaken by the Group. They had the opportunity to discuss the quality and impact of our research and our approach to collaboration with industry.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said “We have developed a world-wide reputation of working collaboratively with global companies to help them develop innovative products and processes. We are delighted to show our colleagues from BIS the excellent applied research that we are involved in and the impact this has had for our collaborating partners”, a number of which joined a lunchtime roundtable discussion.

Visits to R&D teams in the International Digital Laboratory, International Automotive Research Centre and International Manufacturing Centre gave them the opportunity to meet with staff, to discover the breadth of our multi-disciplinary capabilities and the wide range of sectors we work with.

At The Institute of Digital Healthcare Professor Vinesh Raja and Professor Jeremy Wyatt highlighted the multi-disciplinary approach to improving people’s health and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies. They were able to see for themselves the world’s first high dynamic range camera and hear about the High Dynamic Range research led by Professor Alan Chalmers.

Dr Mark Williams highlighted our new £5m research and development Customer Interface Technologies Centre of Excellence, which gives companies direct access to the latest product evaluation technologies and processes.

Dr Steve Maggs showed some of the new materials research that is being undertaken with global companies and the highly innovative work being taken in support of green motor sports, including a number of student projects.

Professor Paul Jennings described his research in hybrid and electric vehicles focused around the unique Vehicle Energy Facility.