By Jon Priestley

A new online community was launched today which promises to promote and support innovation across the Yorkshire region and beyond. Yorkshire Innovation, the regional Science and Industry Council, has unveiled www.yorkshire-innovation.org.uk where thought leaders in the fields of innovation, science and technology can meet virtually to exchange ideas and share best practice in an interactive environment.

The online community is based around a social networking platform where users create profiles and link to blogs, share tweets and ideas and use open and closed forums – it is the first time any of the UK’s science and industry councils have adopted such a platform.

Those signing up to Yorkshire Innovation will benefit from direct input from some of the greatest minds in the region and the opportunity to build relationships with like-minded business professionals.

Using social media to enhance community cohesion, Yorkshire Innovation members will be able to share blogs, find help with an innovation problem or join groups focussed on their areas of interest, all through the main site portal. The new community is a first for the UK, with the region placed yet again at the forefront of business and innovation across the country.

Yorkshire Innovation advises Yorkshire Forward on strategic opportunities for industry and innovation and boasts a Council comprised of some of the most renowned names in business and academia from across the region.

Council members also act as champions for Yorkshire and Humber, promoting the science, technology and innovation assets of the region and helping to attract investment and encourage collaboration.

Richard Gregory OBE, Chairman of Yorkshire Innovation, said: “The launch of the Yorkshire Innovation website promises to be a significant event for many across the region, offering members unparalleled support and networking opportunities.

“We believe that there are many innovative minds working across Yorkshire and to bring such creativity and talent together in one place is a powerful thing. Through Yorkshire Innovation we aim to strengthen and support innovation across the region and help businesses to gain competitive advantage.

“Our Yorkshire Innovation Council Members are committed to promoting the region as a great place to do business, underpinned by the pioneering work that goes on across the region in terms of science and technology.

“We are thrilled to launch this new online community today and are sure it will have a tremendously positive impact on the productivity and progressiveness of many companies across Yorkshire.”

Professor Colin Whitehouse, Chair of Yorkshire Innovation’s Communications Sub-Group and Deputy Chief Executive of the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: “In order to promote regional innovation, it is very important that Yorkshire Innovation also operates innovatively.

“I am delighted to report that the new Yorkshire Innovation community website is a UK first for all of the UK’s science and industry councils. We were absolutely determined to create a site that, for the first time, catalyses a very high level of information and ideas exchange with the region’s innovation community.

“We have now successfully produced a site that embraces the very best of social networking, a place where existing and aspiring new regional innovators can meet virtually, interact easily and share best practice in order to continue to drive the region’s economy forward.”

To join the community, or for more information, visit www.yorkshire-innovation.org.uk.

About the author

Jon Priestley works for Umpf, the PR and social media agency for Yorkshire Innovation.

About Yorkshire Innovation

Yorkshire Innovation is the regional Science and Industry Council, an independent body of business and academic leaders funded by Yorkshire Forward, passionate about promoting a culture of innovation and excellence across the region. Yorkshire Innovation oversees the implementation of the Regional Innovation Strategy and advises Yorkshire Forward on strategic opportunities for industry and innovation within the region, particularly focused on key priority sectors.

Yorkshire Innovation encourages and supports innovation across Yorkshire, enabling companies in the region to gain a real competitive advantage that will underpin their long-term growth. The Yorkshire Innovation Council is renowned amongst business communities and in academic circles and our Council Members are committed to championing the science, technology and innovation assets of the region, attracting investment and encouraging collaboration.