A new data and research centre will bring together businesses and universities with policymakers to support regional growth and industrial strategy.
The Brunel Centre, created by the University of Bath with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Futures West, will pioneer new approaches to economic research and data analysis, with and for the West of England. The Centre will span the region, from Bristol and Gloucestershire through to Bath and Swindon, supporting key regional sectors and firms.
Located in Bath and Bristol, alongside a virtual data observatory, its main aim when it formally launches in April 2025 will be on tackling long-term economic challenges for the region. This includes raising productivity, growth and innovation, and supporting key regional sectors and firms, including in clean energy, digital and data, and business services.
Through its activities and outputs, the Brunel Centre will support decision-makers at different levels of government to co-create private and public strategies that enable local growth planning and further devolution of power to the West of England. It will work with the combined authority, local authorities and businesses from Bristol and Bath, to Swindon and Gloucester.
The Brunel Centre was officially announced by Research England Executive Chair Professor Dame Jessica Corner at an event in London on Tuesday 19 November 2024. It will receive Research England Development funding of £4.5 million over the next five years, to March 2030.