News

The National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield is to be the new home for Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber.  

The move comes as the organisation marks the 13th year since it was created by NHS England – one of 15 health innovation networks set up to accelerate innovation in health and care.  

The network has moved into the newly opened Health Business Innovation Centre within the Emily Siddon Building, one of seven developments on the Huddersfield University campus, after previously being based in Wakefield. 

Chief Executive Richard Stubbs said:

“It is a perfect fit for us to be part of the National Health Innovation Campus, where we can work closely with researchers, innovators, the NHS and industry to develop cutting edge new technologies and other solutions.  

“The population of Yorkshire and the Humber experiences some of the biggest health challenges in the country, with the third lowest life expectancy for both men and women.  

“Aligning so many brilliant assets and people in one place gives us a fantastic opportunity to be a leader in developing innovations which transform and extend lives, for our own communities and worldwide. 

“This is a great venue for our successful Propel Healthtech programme and businesses who see the benefits of being co-located with leaders in innovation, may choose to move in and grow here,” 

The building will provide facilities for workshops and other events for businesses being supported through Propel HealthTech West Yorkshire, delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Prof Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Huddersfield, said:

“Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber joining us as our anchor tenant sets a really positive foundation for the new centre. Their move signals the start of a growing community here, with more office and lab space ready for others ahead of our official opening in July.

“The new Health Business Innovation Centre will play an important role in strengthening Huddersfield’s and West Yorkshire’s reputation as a place where health innovation thrives – helping local businesses grow, creating new opportunities and supporting our regional economy.”

The Health Business Innovation Centre is for local entrepreneurs, start-ups and organisations looking to benefit from locating on the campus. The Centre is supported by the West Yorkshire Mayor and Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

On the ground floor is a Community Diagnostic Centre, operated in partnership with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This was recently opened by Under Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety Dr Zubir Ahmed MP.  

Our picture shows, from left: Helen Hirst, Chair, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust; Chris Outram, Chair, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber; Richard Paxman, CEO, Paxman Coolers; Prof Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Huddersfield; Richard Stubbs, CEO, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber; Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, Regional and Business Lead for the National Health Innovation Campus; Chris Duffill, Head of Business and Skills, Kirklees Council; Jane Green, Health Tech Cluster Lead, West Yorkshire Combined Authority; and Henry Rigg, CEO 3M Business Innovation Campus.