UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Company Profile

Background

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body of the UK government, established on 1 April 2018. It was formed to consolidate the UK's research and innovation funding landscape by bringing together nine previously separate organizations. UKRI's mission is to foster research and development within the United Kingdom, aiming to:

Push the frontiers of human knowledge and understanding

Deliver economic impact

Create social and cultural impact

By working in partnership with universities, research organizations, businesses, charities, and government, UKRI seeks to position the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement.

Key Strategic Focus

UKRI's strategic objectives include:

Promoting Research and Innovation: Encouraging and funding high-quality research across various disciplines to drive innovation.

Economic Growth: Translating research into tangible economic benefits by supporting commercialization and collaboration between academia and industry.

Societal Impact: Addressing societal challenges through research initiatives that improve public services and quality of life.

UKRI operates across multiple sectors, including:

Life Sciences: Advancing medical research and healthcare innovations.

Clean Energy: Supporting the development of sustainable energy solutions.

Space: Fostering growth in the UK's space industry.

Quantum Computing: Investing in emerging technologies with transformative potential.

Financials and Funding

UKRI is funded through the science budget of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. While specific financial details are not publicly disclosed, UKRI's funding supports a wide range of research and innovation activities across the UK.

Pipeline Development

UKRI oversees and funds numerous research projects and initiatives. Notable programs include:

Catapult Centres: A network of nine organizations established to promote research and development in sectors such as cell and gene therapy, digital technologies, and energy systems.

Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA): A research funding agency established to fund "high-risk, high-reward" research projects, operating with a high degree of autonomy.

Technological Platform and Innovation

UKRI supports and invests in various technological platforms and innovations, including:

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus: A 700-acre campus housing over 240 organizations working across sectors such as space, clean energy, life sciences, and quantum computing.

Catapult Centres: Organizations set up to exploit research and development in areas like cell and gene therapy, digital technologies, and energy systems.

Leadership Team

Andrew Mackenzie: Chair of UKRI.

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser: Chief Executive Officer of UKRI since June 2020.

Leadership Changes

Professor Sir Mark Walport: Served as the first Chief Executive Officer of UKRI until June 2020.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The UK is recognized as one of the most innovative countries globally, ranked 4th in the 2023 Global Innovation Index. However, it lags behind competitors in R&D intensity relative to the size of its economy. Countries like Israel, South Korea, and the US outspend the UK in R&D as a percentage of GDP.

Competitor Analysis

France and Germany: These countries have made progress in venture capital investment, with France increasing its VC share from 31% to 39% of the UK's total, and Germany rising from 38% to 43% between 2017 and 2023.

United States: US companies have increased their R&D spending, with the number of top global R&D spenders rising from 668 to 681 between 2013 and 2023.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

UKRI collaborates with various organizations to strengthen its market position and innovation capacity:

Midlands Innovation: A consortium of eight universities in the Midlands of England, formed to boost equipment sharing and lead projects like the £60 million Energy Research Accelerator.

Catapult Centres: A network of nine organizations set up to promote research and development in various sectors.

Operational Insights

UKRI faces challenges in maintaining its competitive edge, including:

Funding Gaps: UK university spinouts often encounter a "valley of death," a funding gap that hinders the transition of academic research to market-ready technologies.

Global Competition: The UK lags behind competitors in R&D intensity relative to the size of its economy, with countries like Israel, South Korea, and the US outspending the UK in R&D as a percentage of GDP.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

To address these challenges, UKRI is focusing on:

Enhancing Proof-of-Concept Funding: Proposing an addition of 4.3% to public core research funds, translating to approximately £108 million annually, to de-risk innovations and attract private capital.

Fostering International Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships with global research organizations to enhance the UK's research capabilities.

Investing in Emerging Technologies: Supporting the development and commercialization of technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to maintain a competitive edge.