AERL Field Trip to the West Midlands
The AERL is delighted to invite its members to participate in a visit to Birmingham and Coventry, kindly hosted by the West Midlands Growth Company and Mayor Richard Parker. The visit will include presentations and tours of the Knowledge Quarter and the Gigapark in Coventry & Warwick.
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region's investment promotion and destination management organization. WMGC aims to create new jobs, build and expand businesses, attract regional investment, and encourage tourism. WMGC is owned by the West Midlands Combined Authority and its Constituent Members, with governance that heavily involves the private sector.
Programme
07:38 to 08:56 - Train from London Euston to Birmingham New Street
09:00 - Arrival at Birmingham New Street (walk to first site visit)
09:30 to 10:15 - Networking Breakfast
(Challenge Lab, STEAMhouse, Birmingham, B4 7RQ)
Informal breakfast for visitors and regional representatives to meet and connect prior to the day's scheduled sessions.
10:15 to 10:30 - Welcome to the West Midlands
Chris Lau, International Markets Lead at West Midlands Growth company, will welcome visitors and provide an introduction to the West Midlands and its key offerings.
10:30 to 11:00 - Tour of STEAMhouse
The STEAMhouse is an innovation centre operated by Birmingham City University. The tour will showcase its facilities and highlights its collaboration with the Global Growth Programme, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with programme alumni and explore innovation in action.
11:00 to 11:30 – Presentations:
Birmingham Knowledge Quarter: A world-leading city-centre innovation ecosystem designated as a state-of-the-art R&D cluster for cutting-edge companies specialising in advanced digital technologies, engineering and HealthTech research. (Birmingham HS2 station is here)
Precision Health Technologies Accelerator: The University of Birmingham’s flagship life sciences innovation facility, which brings entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups together with the next generation of academic and clinical leaders, creating unique opportunities to commercialise ideas and accelerate the rapid development of cutting-edge therapies and medical technologies.
11:30 to 12:30 - Coach travel to afternoon venue
Showcase Suite, Advanced Propulsion Centre, Coventry, CV4 7AL
12:30 to 12:45 - Photo Opportunity with Mayor Richard Parker
12:45 to 13:15 - Mayor’s Address and Q+A Session
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, will welcome guests and spotlight the West Midlands’ strengths, showcasing the region’s innovation, investment potential, and collaborative spirit. Visitors will have the opportunity to put any questions to the Mayor of the West Midlands.
13:15 to 14:00 - Lunch
A hosted lunch will offer attendees a relaxed opportunity to continue conversations, network, and reflect on the morning’s sessions.
14:00 to 15:50 – Presentations:
Welcome to University of Warwick: Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is the youngest member of the Russell Group and renowned for seeking out and addressing complex global challenges with era-defining innovative thinking. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships.
Arden Cross Innovation District: An advanced medical technology cluster, anchored by a unique HealthTech Campus led by the University of Warwick as its principal academic partner. The Campus will bring together the University, the NHS, anchor industrial partners, and innovative SMEs in a bespoke public-private-academic partnership.
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG): A world-leading research and innovation centre and a High Value Manufacturing Catapult, driving breakthroughs in automotive, manufacturing, and digital technologies through industry-academic collaboration
Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC): The APC are there to help accelerate the transition to a net-zero automotive industry through funding, support and insights. If you are an organisation with innovative low carbon technology that can make a difference, the APC can help you achieve this. They help support innovation at a range of stages to bring to life the most innovative and impactful projects that can help on the road to net zero.
UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC): The UKBIC is the UK's national battery development facility. They help companies grow their battery manufacturing at scale, and provide the skills and support needed to move into industrial production. Their open-access facility bridges the gap between battery research and successful mass production, reducing commercial risk for high volume manufacturing investments.
Coventry and Warwickshire Investment Zone (CWIZ): Located at the heart of the UK’s electric vehicle and battery ecosystem, CWIZ is the only Gigapark site in the UK with planning permission. The 241.4-hectare site—182.7 hectares of which qualify for tax incentives—offers the infrastructure, scale, and strategic location to support full supply chain development, skills growth, and logistics.
15:50 to 16:20 - Coach Tour of Coventry and Warwickshire Investment Zone (CWIZ)
16:20 to 16:50 - Coach to Coventry station
17:10 to 18:06 - Train from Coventry to London Euston
*Itinerary subject to change
Please note that Members have to pre-purchase their own train tickets in advance, covering both outbound and return journeys.