"GRAPHENE is the new cotton," according to Eddie Smith, Head of Strategic Development at Manchester City Council and the man behind the regeneration of East Manchester.
“An announcement before Christmas will be testament to Abu Dhabi's belief in Manchester.”
Talking at a business breakfast event in Castlefield - organised by law firm Slater Heelis - Smith discussed how the potential of the world's new wonder material (first isolated at Manchester University) 'could not be exaggerated' and could lead to a 'technical revolution'.
Eddie Smith“Its impact will be huge and the challenge now is to capitalise on that discovery and exploit the potential," said Smith. "It is a challenge not just for Manchester but for the UK, and the Government has recognised this.”
The first Graphene Institute is set to open at Manchester University next spring followed by the recently announced Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), and he hinted that a new National Institute for Materials Research could be confirmed by the Government in the autumn statement next week.
Smith went on to stress the importance of the University’s role in the city’s future and its ambition to become one of the top 25 universities in the world.
He said: “Being in the top 25 is really important, because when you are in that sphere you attract a certain type of investor who wants to be associated with the very best.”
Graphene Institute
It is hoped that the GEIC facility will stimulate commercial redevelopment of the University's North Campus, which is three times the size of Manchester's Spinningfields district and inextricably linked to HS2 developments. Smith said the campus could become “a truly globally recognised science-led business park that could capitalise on the spin off investment from the University being in that elite band.”
During the business breakfast, Smith also went on to discuss the impact of Abu Dhabi's acquisition of Manchester City FC and the knock-on effects for East Manchester.
Smith said it was 'a pivotal moment' in the history of Manchester.
"We have found an owner who is totally committed to the regeneration of East Manchester," said Smith. “They have got a value base that is so in sync with the city council, they are committed to the community and ensuring they are a fantastic neighbour and they recognise that challenges are still there in respect of education, health and employment and things that they have a responsibility to help change.
“They bought the club in September 2008 and we made an approach to them in the October to build their training centre in East Manchester and they went with it. The relationship has gone from strength to strength and it has led them to investing £1bn to transform the residential market in that area of the city.
“An announcement before Christmas will be testament to Abu Dhabi's belief in Manchester.”
The full conversation with Eddie Smith can be viewed at www.slaterheelis.co.uk along with details of the next 'In Conversation...' with Sir Howard Bernstein in February.
