Universities must be at core of industrial strategy, says CBI

The UK government will have to rely on universities’ strength to boost innovation, productivity and skills after Brexit, according to Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the employers’ organisation the CBI.

To build its industrial strategy, the government must recognise the importance innovation at universities, Fairbairn is due to tell the Universities UK annual conference on 6 September.

“We need to say yes to innovation by saying yes to our research departments,” she is expected to say. “Digital transformation means research and innovation is more important than ever.”