Leaders from business, research, education and finance are being sought to join a new board being created to drive innovation in Leicestershire.
The board was announced at the launch of Leicestershire Innovation Festival, which featured a packed day of events covering industrial strategy, AI for SMEs and routes to finance.
The first day of the seventh annual festival included a review of the region’s innovation opportunity from Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, founder of RandalSun Capital and a former LLEP Innovation Chair.
Delegates started the day at the National Space Centre, where they were welcomed by Andy Reed OBE, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board.
He said: “This festival started in 2018 with three events and has become an annual part of the regional business calendar. It brings together partners with a shared interest in encouraging small business productivity and growth in Leicester and Leicestershire.”
Mr Reed told guests at the National Space Centre that work had recently commenced to populate an Innovation Board. It will sit under the Business Board of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership (LLBSP).
The Innovation Board’s purpose will be to bring together leaders from business, research, education and finance, seizing on opportunities as they emerge.
Previously, an Innovation Board was part of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). LLEP functions were taken under the control of upper tier local authorities last year.
Dr Kotecha followed Mr Reed’s welcome with a look at Leicester and Leicestershire’s innovation landscape and the origins of the regional R&D agenda.
He then assessed the emerging opportunity around the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Dr Kotecha said: “The Government’s Invest 2035 programme suggests that innovation is again returning to the forefront of strategic thinking.
“This is to be welcomed and we must make sure we are poised to advocate for our economy and our business community and seize - for Leicester and Leicestershire - the opportunities that the Government is trailing.”
Steve Barradell and Guy Boyle, directors of Loughborough-based Institute, gave a 45-minute critical discussion of AI and its strategic opportunity for local small businesses.
Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025 runs until Friday. It is led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. Events take place online and at venues across the city and county. Subjects covered include finance, life sciences, innovative manufacturing, and digital skills.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) DMU, Loughborough and Leicester universities are travelling to Market Harborough for a roadshow focusing on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Government-funded programmes which support businesses to innovate.
You can register for all events through the Business Gateway Growth Hub website at
Posted on Tuesday 1 April 2025