Business and academia join forces to support the sustainability of the energy and marine sectors
16/12/2010
Business and academia join forces to support the sustainability of the energy and marine sectors
Business and academia join forces to support the sustainability of the energy and marine sectors
Lloyd’s Register and the University of Southampton today agreed to move forward with the £116-million first phase of the university's state-of-the-art technology and training campus, designed to provide industry with the technical solutions and human expertise it requires to support an increasingly complex world.
At the heart of the agreement is a shared vision to create a long-term centre of excellence for technology, innovation, research and development and training based in Southampton, home to one of the world's leading academic research institutions.
"Today is an exciting and historic day for Lloyd's Register and our colleagues at the University of Southampton. We have been brought together by the mutual belief that sustainable industries will be increasingly driven by the need for new technology and expertise to meet the demands of society and emerging regulation," said Richard Sadler, Chief Executive, Lloyd's Register. "The agreement combines the best of academia and business to simultaneously support industry and society by promoting vital research into subjects such as cleaner fuels, safer work environments and more dependable infrastructure."
The decision comes as improved economic conditions made available the appropriate levels of funding and after planning approval was granted by the Southampton City Council.
Among the new facilities to be built on the university's old Boldrewood campus will be the Lloyd's Register Group Technology Centre, a purpose-built building which will be the cornerstone of the organisation's global research and development network.
Research activities at the centre, which has been secured by Lloyd's Register EMEA through a 20-year lease with an option for another 30 years, will be co-ordinated with other projects undertaken by the Group at academic institutions in cities such as Singapore, Seoul, London and Beijing, many sponsored by the Lloyd's Register Educational Trust. The Group currently sponsors research and development and scholarships at 17 universities worldwide.
Technical staff from across the Group's marine division will be among the first to transfer to Southampton from Lloyd's Register's offices in the City of London, followed over time by experts from the organisation's other business streams.
The University of Southampton, which has worked closely on the planning for this project with local government and other agencies, will build a new home at the Boldrewood site for its internationally renowned School of Engineering Sciences. Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in mid-2014.
"This marks the beginning of a groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Southampton and one of the world's leading knowledge-based organisations," said Prof Don Nutbeam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. "By locating the cornerstone of Lloyd's Register global research and development network alongside the university's internationally renowned engineering scientists, we will create a research and innovation hub that is unique in scale and ambition for the UK. Building on our history of collaboration in marine and energy-related projects, we will extend our cooperation to create new technologies."
"It’s good news for the University and for Lloyd’s Register. It’s also excellent news for the city, the region and for UK plc. Research and innovation are key drivers for building a strong knowledge economy, and we know that governments around the world are looking to collaborations such as ours to help secure a strong economic future," Prof Nutbeam said. "This new campus will provide unique opportunities for our students to interact with 'live' development projects and to connect more directly with potential future employers."
Initial research activities at the group technology centre are expected to centre on marine and energy-related projects, initially those which could improve environmental and safety performances and operational efficiency. The scope will be expanded later to include rail-related projects, particularly in areas where technologies overlap.
Aside from being a centre of maritime excellence, the university's School of Engineering Sciences also conducts elite research in aeronautics and astronautics, engineering materials and mechanical engineering.
The university itself is home to a number of world-leading research centres including the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Web Science Research Initiative, the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute and it is a partner of the National Oceanography Centre at the Southampton waterfront campus.
Sadler said bringing together business and academia on the campus will combine Southampton's diverse theoretical knowledge with the extensive practical experience of Lloyd's Register employees.
"We plan to expand into one or two more commercial sectors and we know that Southampton will be able to support us with any technology we require," he said. "This is a long-term collaboration and we look forward to developing this unique concept into a programme that others in the marine and energy industries will want to join, and one which other countries will be tempted to copy."
Ends
Notes to editors
Lloyd's Register EMEA is a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group of entities, which provide independent assurance to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets in the energy and transportation sectors. We enhance the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure. The Group comprises charities and non-charitable entities, with the latter supporting the charities in their main goal.
The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship across a wide range of subjects in engineering, science, social sciences, health and humanities. With over 22,000 students, around 5,000 staff, and an annual turnover well in excess of £400 million, the University is acknowledged as one of the country's top institutions for engineering, computer science and medicine. We combine academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research, supporting a culture that engages and challenges students and staff in their pursuit of learning.
For media enquiries contact:
Mark Stokes
Group Communications Director
Lloyd’s Register
T +44 207 423 1725
F +44 207 423 1573
E mark.stokes@lr.org
Russell Barling
Group Media Manager
Lloyd’s Register
T +44 (0) 207-423-2217
F +44 (0) 207-423-1823
E russell.barling@lr.org
An artist's impression of the project: http://www.lr.org/Images/3610%20UofSLR_tcm155-205796.jpg
Celebrating 250 years of service
In 1760, 11 men met in Edward Lloyd’s coffee house to talk about publishing a list of ships, a register to define their quality and safeguard life and property carried on them. In the years since then we have applied our expertise across the energy and transportation sectors, helping to make the world a safer place. In 2010 we are celebrating 250 years of service and quality and we are looking forward to the new challenges the future brings.
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