That was the message delivered by the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster at the launch of the first report of ‘MATRIX: The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel’.
Speaking to an audience of stakeholders from business, Higher and Further Education and Government, the Minister said: “If planning for stability and growth is important at times of economic success it is vital at times of economic slowdown. Right now we need forward thinking and innovative future planning which this MATRIX report represents.”
MATRIX is a business led expert panel, formed in February 2007. It was set up to provide advice to the Minister on how best to maximise commercial and economic gains from the exploitation of Northern Ireland’s R&D and science and technology strengths over the next decade and beyond. In the intervening 18 months, MATRIX – and its future focused Horizon sub-panels – have developed an eight volume report which sets out a series of complementary sectoral and macroeconomic recommendations for the Minister’s consideration.
MATRIX consulted widely across the Northern Ireland high-technology business community - especially in the key areas of ICT, Life & Health Sciences, Agrifood, Advanced Engineering (Transport) and Advanced Materials.
Receiving the report from the Chairman of MATRIX, Professor Damien McDonnell, the Minister said: “This is not a case of Government speaking to Government, nor is the report an academic study. MATRIX was deliberately created to represent the voice of high-technology industry in Northern Ireland. It is of the utmost importance that we in Government listen to and act upon what our leading business people have to say.”
The Minister undertook to give the report detailed consideration and to bring forward an appropriate plan for implementing its findings. Thanking the MATRIX and Horizon Panel members for their efforts she added: “What I hope and expect to get from the outworking of this MATRIX report is a blueprint for accelerating our economic growth, to give us a genuine step-change in the effectiveness and competitiveness of our economy over the medium to long term.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Matrix brings together experts with a proven track record in the commercial exploitation of science, technology and R&D. MATRIX’s members are:
Chair: Professor Damien McDonnell OBE, former CEO, Defence Diversification Agency (DDA).
Colin Elliott, Vice-President Bombardier Aerospace; Albert Sherrard, OBE, Management Consultant and Chair of BioBusiness NI; Professor Jim McLaughlin, Director Sensor Technology &Devices Ltd & Professor Advanced Functional Materials, University of Ulster; Dr Clare Passmore, freelance Research Advisor; Dr Brian Keating, Non-executive Chair of Andor Technology and Invest NI board member; Ed Vernon, Chief Executive of Synetics Ltd and Invest NI board member; Professor Bernie Hannigan, pro-Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation, University of Ulster; Professor Gerry McCormac, pro-Vice Chancellor Research & Development, Queen's University Belfast; Alan Blair, representative of the Association of NI Colleges (ANIC); Frank Bryan, Chairman of the Economic Development Forum (EDF) Innovation Group
2. MATRIX commissioned a unique Technologies Capabilities and Market Opportunities mapping exercise for Northern Ireland. This wide-ranging study underpins the work of MATRIX’ separate Horizon Programme, through which five expert technology and market foresight panels were established. These panels have analysed future commercialisation opportunities in the key sectors of Agrifood, Transport, Information Communication Technology, Life & Health Sciences and Advanced Materials.
3. The MATRIX concept was identified as the most suitable model for Northern Ireland following consultation with a range of key stakeholders including the business sector, the Higher and Further Education sector, other Northern Ireland Government Departments, and Invest NI. DETI also drew on the views and experiences of other UK regions regarding the establishment and running of Regional Science Industry Councils or equivalents.
4. Membership of MATRIX does not amount to a formal public appointment. Panel members are not salaried for their involvement, although – in line with practice established by other expert advisory panels in NI - fees and expenses incurred are reimbursed and a small stipend made available for members to claim in recompense for business time given over to MATRIX commitments.
5. MATRIX is supported by a secretariat based within DETI and it has been financed under the Skills and Science Fund and the Fund for Innovation.
6. Companies involved in MATRIX' flagship Horizon programme include Bombardier Aerospace, Wright bus, Asidua, Meridio, Seagate, Schrader Electronics, DuPont, Moy Park, Dale Farm, Northbrook, Citigroup, Randox Laboratories, Almac and Singularity.
7. For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 90529297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
