Observatory of Innovation

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Observatory of Innovation
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Wales

• The National Assembly for Wales, sitting in
  Cardiff, first elected in 1999, is elected by the
  Welsh people and has its powers defined by the
  Government of Wales Act 1998

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Economy of Wales

• Parts of Wales have been heavily industrialised
  since the eighteenth century. Coal, copper, iron,
  lead, and gold have been mined in Wales, and
  slate has been quarried
• Light engineering is still an important activity
  in the main population areas of the South and
  extreme North-East, but the economy, as elsewhere
  in the UK, is now focused on the service sector

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Some Facts

• Population 2,903,085
• GDP per head as a percentage of the EU15
  average 82.4
• Over a fifth (21 per cent) speaks Welsh, nearly
  a quarter (24 per cent) can understand Welsh
• 4 in 5 of working age have a qualification
  (including A levels GCSEs)
• 78 per cent of men and 68 of women economically
  active
• 6 unemployment rate
• Up to 1/4 in low-income households

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Observatory of Innovation

• The Observatory of Innovation at Cardiff
  University is located in the Cardiff Business
  School one of the largest and most successful
  Business Schools in Britain

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The Observatory of Innovation was established in
1996 with the objective To observe, analyse
and advise on innovation and regional development
policy and practice in Wales, the UK, Europe and
beyond.The Observatory carries out research,
consultancy and project management on innovation
and economic/sustainable development across
Europe
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The Team

• Meirion Thomas Director
• Martin Rhisiart Deputy Director
• Yannis Pierrakis Research Associate
• Andrew Osborne Communications Executive
• Suzanne Jones Administrator

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The Observatory has an excellent track record in
forming strong alliances and working
partnerships. At the EU level, many of the
Observatorys programmes require close
partnerships with institutions and bodies of all
types and from different backgrounds
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Key Projects

• Current
• Metaforesight
• NPD Network
• Sustainable Development Executive Leadership
  (SDEL)
• Culture, Language and Economic Development
• Futurreg

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Key Projects

• Completed
• Innovative Actions (TASK)
• ERSDN
• Autochain
• Mobilising Regional Foresight Potential
• VERITE
• FOREN
• Innoregio
• Observatory income generation 2002 2004
  779,228

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Forthcoming Developments

• Futurreg Programme
• Appointment of a new staff
• Redesign of website
• Relocation

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Cardiff, a rapidly changing city