Ian Wilding is increasingly anxious

The recent publication of the DTI Innovation review, along with the ten year science and innovation investment framework, demonstrate the commitment of government to see a quantum change in the role of science and innovation as a driver of economic prosperity.

In fact, it might even be argued that we are the envy of Europe for our early adoption of the knowledge based economy.  The establishment of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) in 2004 to identify the technology priorities critical to the growth of the UK economy has to also be warmly applauded.  A high level forum, such as the TSB, to provide for interaction between business, government and other relevant organisations on technology issues has to be in the national interest.

Therefore, as a stakeholder, committed to the importance of science and innovation for business growth, why I am becoming increasingly anxious about policy direction?

What business wants

There are 5 Cs that business stakeholders require from government policy in building our knowledge based economy:  Clarity, Consistency, Connectivity, Customer Focus and Critical Mass.  It is perhaps useful to consider progress to date against these loose objectives.

First of all the good news.  We have real Clarity in government intent to make science and innovation the cornerstone of future economic growth for UK plc.  In addition, at face value we score good marks on Customer Focus; there is engagement with the business community on several levels via the TSB, regional Science and Industry Councils, governance committees for the six Science Cities and perhaps even via the embryonic Core Cities.

However, you can have too much of a good thing!  There is a marked lack of Consistency in terms of direction and funding within these individual science and innovation initiatives.  We have a bewildering array of projects, schemes and programmes but due to the lack of cross departmental government Connectivity, we run the risk of failing to achieve Critical Mass in any one initiative.

What are the current challenges?

More connectivity

A growing percentage of science and innovation funding is distributed by the regional development agencies with regional priorities being established by business led Science and Industry Councils.  However, not surprisingly, each region tends to believe it is world class in the majority of technology areas!  As a consequence, the substantial national funding in science will be distributed relatively homogenously across the regions to be spent sub critically in each of the regions perceived world class clusters.

Establishing national and regional (and now Science City) priorities are a significant unmet need.  Greater integration of cross-department science and innovation government initiatives is essential if Critical Mass in our investment is to be achieved.  Management and leadership of such Connectivity has to come from a strong business led body; should this not become an urgent short term priority for the TSB?

Dr Ian Wilding is Founder and now Scientific Advisor, Pharmaceutical Profiles