Together with the British Consul General Nick Russell and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, BMR Managing Director Jörg Kemna launched the new international cooperation project this week. The British Consulate General in Düsseldorf and Greater Manchester, the UK's second largest metropolitan county, are supporting the Innovation Bridge.
“The Ruhr and Greater Manchester share a common industrial heritage as well as a determination to reinvent our regions for the future. There are strong industrial connections - particularly in hydrogen, cybersecurity and digital health. These are the big issues in a changing world that we need to tackle together.”
Mayor of Greater ManchesterThe geopolitical situation strengthens the importance of British-German relations, according to a shared consensus. A common understanding of democracy, business relationships and international collaboration is becoming increasingly important, Jörg Kemna stated: “We must see how we can leverage global change as an opportunity for our regions.”
The core of the Innovation Bridge is business. Companies should be able to discover market opportunities in the other region more easily, ultimately leading to partnerships and the establishment of businesses.
“We see the Ruhr region as a leading base for British companies that want to expand into the European market. That's why our aim is to simplify access to the German market for British companies and connect them with the right partners in the Ruhr.”
Managing Director, Business Metropole Ruhr GmbHKick-off for joint projects
There was already significant interest in the Innovation Bridge UK from the local authorities in the Ruhr, for which the Innovation Bridge also represents an opportunity to make the most of existing town partnerships and bilateral projects.
Many strong companies, an established university landscape and strengths in the digital industries of the future characterise the British view of the Ruhr region, emphasised Russell and Burnham. "If companies from the Ruhr want to grow internationally, they should ideally start in the UK. And vice versa, British companies should choose the Ruhr first," said Russell. ‘The UK and Germany are both focused on growth, but growth doesn't just come from the capital cities,’ said Russell, who was well informed about leading companies from the region such as cybersecurity pioneer G DATA, start-up VM Ray and pump manufacturer Wilo.
In 2024, the United Kingdom ranked third behind China and the Netherlands when it came to investment in the Ruhr region.
"We are not starting from scratch and have deliberately worked towards this partnership. Over recent years, we have built up trust and networks, especially through the close partnership with Greater Manchester," emphasized Jörg Kemna. The metropolis in the north-west of England also has a great international reputation in the future topics of hydrogen, cybersecurity and digital health. Greater Manchester is considered the fastest-growing city region in the United Kingdom.
International cooperation
The highlights of this year will be reciprocal visits and conferences.
At the end of May, Manchester will have its own stand at the RuhrSummit. Six companies will be travelling from the island on 27th May to represent Manchester's strengths in cybersecurity, digital identity, translation services and greentech at the Ruhr's leading start-up event.
In September, Manchester will be returning the invitation. "We are delighted to welcome representatives from business, academia and government from the Ruhr to Manchester for to the Greater Manchester-Germany Innovation Summit on 24th and 25th September. This two-day event will bring together business, science and local government in the spirit of the Triple Helix model that underpins our partnership," said Mr Burnham, referring to the shared understanding of knowledge-based urban development. On the first day, energy will be the central topic, with a particular focus on hydrogen, while the second day of the congress focuses on digital health and cybersecurity.
With the Innovation Bridge UK, the BMR opens its second Innovation Bridge with a neighbouring European country. There has been a lively exchange via the Innovation Bridge Netherlands over the last three years. Other Innovation Bridges exist with Israel and North America. By building mutually beneficial networks, BMR aims to attract companies from these markets to invest in the Ruhr region and encouraging innovation partnerships between leading institutions in the field of development and research.