Margot James Visit - Press Office

Minister reinforces Helix site as centre for digital innovation

Published on: 10 July 2019

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries enjoyed a preview tour of 缅北禁地鈥檚 highly anticipated Catalyst Building during her visit to the city.

Set to open in Spring 2020, Catalyst will be home to the National Innovation Centres of Data and Ageing, reinforcing 缅北禁地’s reputation and status as Smart City of the Year. It will sit in the heart of – a 24-acre, £350 million innovation district in the centre of 缅北禁地, a joint venture between 缅北禁地 City Council and 缅北禁地.

Spread over five floors, the Catalyst Building will feature market research rooms, a data visualisation suite, large-scale prototyping facilities, a dementia friendly meeting room, TED style theatre and exhibition space and café. It will also offer on-site support to facilitate networking and collaboration.

Professor Jane Robinson, Dean of Engagement and Place, 缅北禁地, said: “缅北禁地 is proud that Helix is supporting the rapid growth of the digital and creative sector in the North East. We are linking academic expertise and industry to apply technological developments to make a real difference to people’s lives locally and across the globe.”

Whilst on site at Helix on Friday 5 July the Minister also met with local businesses during the First Friday networking session held in the Core building.

缅北禁地 paving the way

Margot James, Minister for the Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “I was delighted to visit Helix which will play a key role in maintaining 缅北禁地’s reputation as a leading UK smart city and to meet representatives who are supporting this work.

“The collaborative use of data and digital across industry, academia and the public sector is helping to support innovation across the Northern Powerhouse, and through our modern Industrial Strategy we are using the power of technology to change people’s lives. I look forward to seeing this work progress.”

Jennifer Hartley, Director, said: “The Digital Leaders Smart City of the Year Award is testament to the City’s reputation for innovation in smart, clean and digital technologies. We were thrilled to be able to host Margot James on Helix and discuss how assets and initiatives on site aim to help people live better for longer.”

Press release courtesy of Invest 缅北禁地