Despite having only launched in January 2024, Salford Business School’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) is already having a strong impact on driving innovation and fostering an entrepreneurial culture, not only within the University but across the region. The Centre is a multidisciplinary hub that aims to address the global challenges of sustainability and innovation through education, research and action. With a clear statement of its intention to be a lead player and to collaborate across the other three faculties within the University and the wider Greater Manchester ecosystem, the CSI is already excelling and has contributed to the advancement of sustainability and innovation across the region. The CSI harnesses and supports the innovative potential of businesses in Greater Manchester, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among academic and professional service colleagues, as well as other members of the academic community at the University of Salford. Through its three core workstreams of change management, digital transformation and sustainability, the CSI is a catalyst for collaboration, connecting students, faculty, colleagues and alumni with industry and policymakers to drive innovation in an ever-changing business landscape. Offering a range of programmes, services and events, the Centre provides innovative solutions that address productivity barriers including, but not limited to, helping to adopt new emerging technologies to drive innovation/efficiency, research, idea testing, developing entrepreneurial skillsets and support launching new initiatives/products/services to market.
Finalist
Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
Centre for Sustainable Innovation
Finalist of the Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
Salford University - United Kingdom
"Where embracing change and collaboration leads to positive transformation."
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/centre-for-sustainable-innovation (Centre for Sustainable Innovation LinkedIn account)
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/salford-business-school (Salford Business School’s LinkedIn account)
https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-salford (University of Salford LinkedIn account)
https://www.instagram.com/salfordbizsch/(Salford Business School’s Instagram account)
https://www.instagram.com/salforduni/(University of Salford Instagram account)
https://www.facebook.com/salfordbusinessschool/(Salford Business School’s Facebook account)
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Summary
Key People
Dr Francine Morris
Associate Dean - Enterprise & Engagement
Salford Business School, The Centre for Sustainable Innovation,
University of Salford
Sara Boswell
Director
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Salford Business School,
Salford University
Dr Ann Mulhaney
Associate Professor for Change Management
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Salford Business School,
University of Salford
Dr Angel Jimenez-Aranda
Associate Professor for Digital Transformation
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Salford Business School,
University of Salford
Dr. Silvia Tedesco
Associate Professor for Sustainability
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Salford Business School,
University of Salford
Liz Larner
PVC (Pro Vice-Chancellor) Interim Dean
Salford Business School,
University of Salford
Professor Mandy Parkinson
Chair of Business Innovation
Salford Business School,
University of Salford
Acknowledgements
Salford Business School’s Industry Advisory Board & The CSI Industry advisory board is crucial to CSI’s industry engagement and entrepreneurial culture. These independent bodies comprise experienced professionals who provide support and advice based on their expertise. Board members contribute business acumen, expertise, and industry reach, enhancing the CSI’s and the wider University’s activities and development.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Salford City Council have a longstanding relationship with the University and Business School. As key civic partners, they support research, co-creation, skills development, employment, regeneration, and more.
In collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI), The Growth Company has provided innovation and commercialisation support to 60 businesses, resulting in the launch of 30 new products and services.
The Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) supports the CSI in delivering high standards of teaching, research, and enterprise engagement. They are current funders of the Help to Grow Programme, delivered by CSI, which has supported over 150 SMEs.
By leveraging these partnerships and the expertise of the Industry Advisory Board, CSI continues to drive innovation and growth, benefiting both the academic community and the broader business landscape.
Images
CSI Innovation labs delivery
CSI & NERIC Innovation workshop
CSI Affiliate Workshop - Interdisciplinary working
CSI Growth Workshop
CSI Festival of enterprise
CSI Affiliate workshop
CSI Team away day
CSI SME workshop
CSI Affiliate workshop
CSI Launch
CSI Launch 2
CSI Innovation Labs - Robotics
CSI Launch Panel - Digital Transfromation
CSI Networking event
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Building resilience is crucial for businesses to thrive during economic uncertainty, especially for SMEs. These enterprises must innovate to boost growth while keeping employees engaged.
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) is dedicated to supporting the North West SME community with scaling strategies. By making simple changes and leveraging the Centre’s Help to Grow: Management programme, SMEs can accelerate growth.
Catherine Whelan, Founder and CEO of Wellness and Beauty for All, credits the programme for enhancing her marketing strategy and driving sales. It also enabled her to diversify her business by establishing a new training academy, expanding into a new area and revenue stream. With the tools provided by Help to Grow, Catherine has filled knowledge gaps, developed leadership skills, and continued to build her business.
The CSI’s commitment to supporting SMEs involves understanding their unique challenges and providing tailored solutions. This approach ensures that SMEs can navigate economic uncertainties effectively. By fostering innovation and offering targeted support, the Centre helps SMEs build resilience and achieve sustainable growth.
In summary, building resilience is essential for SMEs to thrive during challenging times. The CSI’s support, through programmes like Help to Grow, empowers businesses to innovate, grow, and succeed. Catherine Whelan’s success story exemplifies how targeted support can lead to significant business growth and diversification.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Embracing change and fostering collaboration have been crucial to the Centre’s success. By leveraging expertise from both the University and industry, the Centre has driven innovation and tackled various challenges, leading to significant achievements.
To promote interdisciplinary work, the team established an affiliate membership across all four University schools. This initiative supports and upskills academic colleagues, offering mentorship to facilitate knowledge exchange, enterprise, and research activities. However, gaining internal buy-in for such membership requires time and a deep understanding of audience needs and challenges, which are essential for successful outcomes.
Building a strong multidisciplinary team with diverse skillsets and capabilities, including both academic and professional service colleagues, is vital for success. Agility is also crucial, especially in today’s dynamic business landscape, and forming strong partnerships is equally important. Above all, it’s essential to challenge the norm and embrace different approaches to achieve positive transformation.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Our mission for the Centre is to be the leading hub for sustainable business practices and digital transformation to drive innovation.
Our commitment extends beyond profit, aiming to create significant socio-economic and environmental impact at regional and national levels. Our eight strategic priorities, which also support the School and wider University strategy, will continue to underpin our future plans. These are:
• Industry partnerships/collaborations with regional businesses, academics, policymakers and key stakeholders to drive innovation in sustainable practices and digital transformation
• Innovation/research: staying ahead of the curve in digital transformation and sustainability, ensuring businesses we work with remain thought-leaders and influencers
• Digital transformation: enhance/showcase the teams’ expertise in digital transformation, offering cutting-edge solutions and services that empower businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
• Sustainability: become a go-to resource, providing businesses with strategic guidance on integrating sustainability into their operations and decision-making processes
• Change management: supporting businesses in navigating the complexities of organisational change associated with sustainable practices/digital transformation
• Innovation in the curriculum: collaborating with industry through a wide portfolio of work to help promote the integration of real-world examples and projects into the curriculum
• Community impact: focusing on creating tangible socio-economic and environmental impact on both regional/national levels. Developing initiatives and projects that contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of the community, supporting diversity and inclusion both internally and externally
• Global impact: building eco systems that expand our reach and influence beyond the UK, aiming for a global impact by sharing best practices and collaborating with international partners
