The Government has commissioned an independent Review of how the Government’s network of elite Catapult technology and innovation centres can be fully exploited to benefit the economy in the long-term.

Commissioned by Business Secretary Vince Cable, and Science and Universities Minister David Willetts, leading technology entrepreneur Hermann Hauser has been asked to look at how to build on the progress already made and maximise the benefits from any possible expansion of the Catapult network. The Catapult centres have been established by the Technology Strategy Board with £1.4 billion of public and private sector investment expected over the next 5 years.

The Business Secretary made the announcement during the official opening of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s offices in Glasgow. This brings the number of Catapult centres to seven. A report published this week by the ORE Catapult, which was established by the Technology Strategy Board, estimates this could be worth up to £6.7 billion per year to the UK economy by 2020.

 Hermann Hauser, who will deliver his recommendations to ministers this summer said:

“Following on from my 2010 report on technology and innovation centres, I am delighted to have been asked by Vince Cable and David Willetts to oversee the review of the future shape, scope and ambition of the Catapult centres in the medium to long term. I look forward to engaging with all interested parties on this important policy area.”

There are currently seven Catapults covering a range of sectors, with public and private sector investment of over £1.4 billion over their first 5 years of operation. Two additional Catapults – Energy Systems and Precision Medicine – are scheduled to open next year. The Catapults are focussed on complementing existing research and innovation efforts by providing a business led, capital intensive infrastructure.

Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive Iain Gray said:

“This is the right time to take stock of the significant progress already made by the Catapults as we think about the future scope and scale of the network in the future. There is no one better than Hermann Hauser to do this review and we are absolutely committed to working with him to ensure a productive consultation period.”

"UK has sometimes failed to commercialise new technology"

Hermann Hauser will be asked to consider the future scope and scale of the network – including looking at the different Catapult models, recommendations on future funding models, international strategy and how a future Catapult network links with other Government organisations such as the British Business Bank and Green Investment Bank. His recommendations will be delivered to ministers by the summer 2014 to feed into the Science and Innovation Strategy for the Autumn Statement 2014.

Commenting on the review, Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Britain has an enviable track record in innovation but in the past we have sometimes failed to commercialise new technology. That is why the Catapult centres are so important for securing future economic growth, and ensuring that not only can we seize new global opportunities, but more importantly that we can leave the competition trailing in our wake."