Creative Industries Minister meets with Chamber members
January 27th, 2010
Item submitted by: The University of Northampton
The University of Northampton welcomed Siôn Simon MP, Minister for Creative Industries, to the Portfolio Innovation Centre at Avenue Campus at the end of last week for an event held in collaboration with Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce.
The Minister, invited to Northampton by the Chamber, visited the University's Avenue Campus to meet creative businesses in the county and to find out more about the Portfolio Innovation Centre, which is home to 41 design, digital and creative companies.
Arriving with Sally Keeble, MP for Northampton North, the Ministerial party was greeted by University Vice Chancellor Ann Tate, Portfolio Innovation Centre Manager Wendy Nikolaidis and University Governor and Northamptonshire Chamber President Milan Shah.
Siôn took part in a tour of the Innovation Centre where he met business tenants. His visit concluded with a Q&A session with creative businesses in the region, who were invited by the Chamber. This was chaired by Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Chamber. Questions included could creative industries across different counties receive the same amount of funding and how could UK creative businesses break into the China market.
During his visit, Siôn praised the entrepreneurship and motivation of creative businesses in the UK. He said: “I genuinely believe there is a British ‘genius’ through the quality of the people involved in businesses such as yours and your innovation. We are that kind of a country and this is what we will compete on in a global marketplace.”
Wendy Nikolaidis, Portfolio Innovation Centre Manager, commented: “Siôn’s visit to the Centre was highly welcomed and he took a genuine interest in the work of our tenants. Visitors are always surprised by the amazing talent and creativity found in the tenant businesses. They are working with major clients across the world and it is something Northampton should be really proud of.”
For more information on the Portfolio Innovation Centre, call 01604 779000, email portfolio@northampton.ac.uk or visit www.northampton.ac.uk
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