• Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • Accessibility options
University of Brighton
  • About us
  • Business and
    employers
  • Alumni and
    supporters
  • For
    students
  • For
    staff
  • Accessibility
    options
Open menu
Home
Home
  • Close
  • Study here
    • Meet us
    • Open days
    • Virtual tours
    • Upcoming events
    • Applicant days
    • Meet us in your country
    • Chat to our students
    • Ask us a question
    • Order a prospectus
    • Our campuses
    • Our four campuses
    • Accommodation options
    • Our halls
    • Helping you find a home
    • What you can study
    • Find a course
    • Full A-Z course list
    • Explore our subjects
    • Our academic departments
    • How to study with us
    • Undergraduate application process
    • Postgraduate application process
    • International student application process
    • Apprenticeships
    • Applying through Clearing
    • Transfer from another university
    • Fees and financial support
    • Undergraduate finance
    • Postgraduate finance
    • Our funding and support options
    • Supporting you
    • Your wellbeing
    • Student support and guidance tutors
    • Study skills support
    • Careers and employability
  • Research
    • Research and knowledge exchange
    • Research and knowledge exchange organisation
    • The Global Challenges
    • Centres of Research Excellence (COREs)
    • Research Excellence Groups (REGs)
    • Our research database
    • Information for business
    • Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)
    • Postgraduate research degrees
    • PhD research disciplines and programmes
    • PhD funding opportunities and studentships
    • How to apply for your PhD
    • Research environment
    • Investing in research careers
    • Strategic plan
    • Research concordat
    • News, events, publications and films
    • Featured research and knowledge exchange projects
    • Research and knowledge exchange news
    • Inaugural lectures
    • Research and knowledge exchange publications and films
    • Academic staff search
  • About us
  • Business and employers
  • Alumni, supporters and giving
  • Current students
  • Staff
  • Accessibility
Search our site
Image of checkland building falmer campus
About us
  • Your university
  • Governance and structure
  • Working with us
  • Statistics and legal
  • News and events
  • Contact us
  • News and events
    • News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Coronavirus
    • Livestream
    • Open lectures
    • Term dates
  • News
    • News
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
  • 2019
    • 2019
    • 2019 news archive
  • City backs University of Brighton health innovation and business network

City backs University of Brighton health innovation and business network

Pioneering plans to turn Brighton and Hove into a focal point for health enterprise and innovation have received support from the Brighton & Hove City Council, local organisations and businesses.

1 February 2019

University of Brighton researchers are joining forces with entrepreneurs and community groups to build a social and commercial network tasked with improving health, accelerating innovation and enhancing competitiveness in the city area.

The university’s Healthy Futures will be the platform for new partnerships which will bring new technological solutions in disease preventions, diagnoses and advanced clinical treatments while developing new models for children mental health and adult health care. The collaboration of businesses and organisations with the university will also foster high-skill training, students’ placements and jobs.

The first Healthy Futures Entrepreneurs Café in the city was attended by representatives from companies producing biomedical, pharmaceutical and digital health products and innovation as well as leaders of social enterprises on the front line of family therapy, youth mental health and adult primary care.

Professor Santin addressing the first entrepreneur cafe

Professor Santin addressing the first entrepreneur cafe

Afterwards, a spokesperson for the city council said: “This is a great example of how making strong links between research and business will be used to benefit communities and the city.

“The city’s economic strategy aims to bring together pioneering research with entrepreneurial talent to grow the city’s economic potential, include communities in new developments, and improve the lives of all our residents.”

Councillor Garry Wall, Chairman of Greater Brighton, said: "Collaboration between public authorities, private businesses and academia is crucial if we as a City Region, stretching from Brighton north to Gatwick, are able to continue to grow and fulfil our potential.

"For that reason I'm delighted to see this initiative around the very important area of health innovation and research start so promisingly. We already have a number of world leaders in this field and, thanks to initiatives like the entrepreneur cafe, I'm sure that number will keep on growing in the future."

Organisations and companies also backed the initiative.

Matthew Jellings of Engie, a leading energy and services group across three main activities: Energy, Services and Regeneration, said: “It’s exciting to be part of an initiative that will benefit the citizens of Brighton and Hove and deliver excellence.”

Geraldine Desmoulins, Chief Officer, Possability People which offers advice and support on disabilities: “Activity is not integrated – it’s fragmented and siloed. This will bring organisations together with a common purpose.”

Dr Arash Moavenian, Head of Research and Innovation, Welland Medical which designs and manufactures ostomy accessories: “This a great initiative that presents a new window of opportunity for connection and collaboration.”

Nigel Richardson, CEO, Custom Pharma Services, a medical products development company: “By sharing knowledge and expertise, this initiative has the potential to improve regional business and research.”

Susannah Davidson and Liz Johnson

Susannah Davidson, University Knowledge Exchange Manager (left), and Liz Johnson, University Knowledge Transfer Partnership Officer

Professor Matteo Santin, Academic Lead for Healthy Futures, said: “The first meeting with businesses and organisations proved a great success and I am grateful for all those who attended. I am impressed by the wide range and number of social enterprises, charities, biomedical and digital start-ups and SMEs and large pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies located in our city and surrounding areas.

“We believe that in the long term the city has the potential to emerge as a model for health enterprise where societal needs are addressed through pioneering approaches and where organisations thrive through public and private investment.

Two further entrepreneur cafes will be held on 17 April and in June 2019.

Back to top
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn icon

Contact us

University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4AT

Main switchboard 01273 600900

Course enquiries

Sign up for updates

University contacts

Report a problem with this page

Quick links Quick links

  • Courses
  • Open days
  • Order a prospectus
  • Academic departments
  • Academic staff
  • Professional services departments
  • Jobs
  • Privacy and cookie policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Libraries
  • Term dates
  • Maps
  • Graduation
  • Site information
  • Online shop
  • COVID-19
  • The Student Contract

Information for Information for

  • Current students
  • International students
  • Media/press
  • Careers advisers/teachers
  • Parents/carers
  • Business/employers
  • Alumni/supporters
  • Suppliers
  • Local residents