Report calls for more RTO centres in UK
Hauser © MsSaraKelly

Report calls for more RTO centres in UK

A new report has called on the UK Government to establish 30 more RTO Catapult Centres by 2030.

The report by technology entrepreneur Dr Hermann Hauser identifies the RTO model as a successful model to foster innovation. Commissioned by UK Business Secretary, Vince Cable, the 2014 Hauser Report reviews the Catapults’ network and sets out nine recommendations for UK ministers on the future scope, shape and ambition of the network, currently composed of seven centres. Hauser said it was clear that there was a positive impact of UK’s newly established RTOs on the country’s economy and innovation performance and calls for further investments and support to UK RTOs. Hauser also calls on the UK Government to create one to two new Catapult Centres a year, leading to 20 RTOs centres by 2020 and 30 by 2030.

The European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO) said it welcomed the report as a key and positive review of the RTO model, providing a strong endorsement on the current progress of the UK’s Catapult Centres. Commenting on the report, EARTO President Maria Khorsand, said: “The Catapult network is an ambitious tool to foster innovation in the UK and this report should serve as warning for all EU member states: your economy needs your national RTOs, use and support them well.

“RTOs have a mission to help companies overcome key barriers to innovation and the catapults are no exception. They have helped the UK to catch up and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystems. As highlighted in EARTO’s latest policy paper, the very nature of RTOs allows them to work as ‘connectors’ between academia and industry, being the perfect partners for governments to support existing or build new effective innovation ecosystems.”