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The Chemistry-using sector is one of the largest wealth creators in the United Kingdom, providing many of the raw materials and products needed for all aspects of every day life. Innovation is the life blood to the industry, both to keep pace with the ever-increasing sophistication and demands of the market, and to provide defensive capability against the growing competitive pressure from lower cost economies. The Barcelona Accord of 2003, and the Government’s recent 10 Year Investment Framework for Science and Industry, both call for a substantial improvement in our innovation performance.
The Centre for Process Innovation Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee that exists to provide innovation services to the Chemistry-using Industries in the United Kingdom. We work in collaboration with a number of companies, and leading research universities in three technology areas – new processes, new products and new energy.
We are supported by public sector grants, in the first instance from One NorthEast, the regional development agency for the north-east of England, and have applications being considered with the Department of Trade and Industry, and by Europe under Framework Programmes 6 & 7.
We are also beginning to build commercial revenue from various activities as the company grows knowledge, skills and asset base. We operate on an open-access basis, with access to our assets and capabilities being on an arm’s length commercial basis.
The company was established in December 2003, and began trading on 1st April 2004. It has two members, Mr Robert Coxon, and Mr Nigel Perry. There is a Board of non-executive directors, chaired by Mr Robert Coxon, working with the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nigel Perry. The Board is supported by a Remuneration & Appointments Committee, and Audit Committee and a Technology Advisory Committee. One NorthEast provides two Board Observers, and the Government Office for the North-East provides one. Details of Board Members, and Advisors are given below.
The company works within the “Strategy for Success”, a regeneration initiative founded and funded by ONE NorthEast. ONE NorthEast has established the Science and Industry Council to provide advice and guidance on science and technology, and which also provides an over-arching supervisory role to the company.
The company aspires to becoming an internationally renowned research institution providing world-class expertise, facilities and knowledge to the industry. |
