Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol6-1 > The world's number one choice for R&D

The UK?s continuing reputation for innovation and the strength of its knowledge-based economy is clearly demonstrated by its standing as Europe?s leading recipient of  related inward investment. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in international markets and assists overseas companies in bringing high-quality investment to the UK.

Quite simply, the UK is the place in Europe that the world?s companies choose for their Research and Development activities. With world-class universities and research institutes involved in undertaking leading-edge Research and Development in all business sectors, many leading companies have already made considerable investments in Research and Development activities across the UK.

Indeed, the UK has the fourth-highest concentration of the world?s top 1,400 international companies for Research and Development expenditure, including companies such as Ford, Pfizer, Airbus, Eli Lilly, Eisai, Nokia, Syngenta, Merck and Motorola. The UK has a business climate that attracts individuals and companies at the leading edge of their sectors, and from which they can go on to achieve a wider global impact. It has facilities, services and infrastructure, and a business and regulatory environment that let innovators carry out their research and development and then bring new technologies to market.

The strength of the UK Research and Development sector is highlighted in the fact that the UK is ranked as having the second-strongest research base in the world behind only the US. The UK also produces 8% of the world?s scientific papers and has a citation share of 12%, ranking second in the world. One key sector for the UK?s Research and Development is life sciences. 23 Nobel prizes have been awarded to UK-based scientists in the last 40 years in the field of biomedical research alone. In 2008/09 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies remained the biggest sources of Research and Development investment.

Two of the world?s six largest pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, are based in the UK, with many others having research and development activities or European headquarters here. The UK has a substantial drug development pipeline based on a positive approach to clinical trials, a robust regulatory regime, a performance-managed infrastructure, and world-class expertise in experimental medicine. Around 20% of the world?s top medicines underwent research and development in Britain.

The UK energy sector is thriving. Globally the UK is the most attractive destination for offshore wind investments and is in joint second position as an investment location for renewables. The UK is also a technology leader for wave and tidal power through the country?s universities and facilities such as the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) which is at the forefront of the research and development of marine-based renewables. Information and communications technologies (ICT) is another sector where UK innovation has been historically outstanding and still continues to make an enormous impact as the rate of technological change accelerates. There are over 8,000 industrial electronics companies in the UK and the UK is at the forefront of electronics design.

UKTI has a worldwide operation supported from the UK by teams of experts in specific technologies and industry areas who work to provide tailored business solutions and practical support to international companies considering Research and Development in the UK. UKTI provides potential investors with information on the expertise and leading-edge technologies available in the UK?s universities, the UK?s private and public-sector research organisations, the Research Councils, Knowledge Transfer Networks and Innovation Relay Centres, Research and Development collaboration opportunities across the UK, and policy initiatives and opportunities introduced by national and regional government organisations across the UK.

UKTI also helps businesses by providing customised information on key UK commercial considerations, such as company formation, the labour market and skills, real estate, transport, utilities and regulatory issues, advice on financial assistance (including Research and Development tax credits and grants support), and comprehensive national, regional and local location analysis to help companies choose the right place to do business.

Our worldwide teams work closely with investment agencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help our client companies maximise their business and Research and Development objectives.

For more information,
contact UKTI on:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7215 8000
Website: www.ukti.gov.uk

The European Business and Innovation Centres Network

The European Business and Innovation Centres (BIC) Network provides business support for innovative small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and entrepreneurs across the European Community and is well represented in the UK. UK BICs work with local development agencies and in partnership with regional, national and international organisations, including UKTI, to undertake collaborative working, exchange of best practice, technology transfer and SME internationalisation.

They offer strategic guidance for innovative projects including incubator and business resource centres dedicated to innovation. In the UK, there are 12 accredited full members of the European BIC Network (EBN) along with several associate members, located from Northern Ireland to Kent, where world-class business support and facilities are available to give clients the best advantage. More information on the EBN?s aims and objectives and on membership can be viewed at: www.ebn.be