The University of Salford’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) has published its first Impact Report, celebrating two years of supporting businesses, entrepreneurs and partners to innovate, grow and contribute to a more sustainable economy.
Since launching in 2024, the Centre has supported more than 410 organisations, delivered over 30 innovation programme cohorts, helped secure £4.26 million in external funding, and contributed to more than 30 research and knowledge exchange projects.
The report highlights how CSI is helping organisations across Greater Manchester and beyond turn ambitious ideas into practical outcomes. Through programmes focused on digital transformation, leadership and change, sustainability, and innovation, the Centre has supported businesses to improve productivity, develop new products and services, access specialist expertise and build long term resilience.
As the UK looks to strengthen productivity, accelerate innovation and support growth across priority sectors, the Centre is playing an increasingly important role in connecting businesses with the knowledge, partnerships and resources needed to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Unlocking innovation through partnership
A key theme throughout the report is the power of collaboration.
CSI works closely with businesses, local authorities, industry bodies, funders and academic partners to translate research and expertise into real world impact. Partners include Salford City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Microsoft, NatWest, Siemens, the Northern Automotive Alliance, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and The Growth Company.
The report showcases a number of examples where organisations have progressed from ideas and early-stage concepts to prototypes, commercial opportunities and long-term growth through a combination of leadership development, innovation support and specialist expertise.
Building capability across Greater Manchester
Sara Boswell, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Innovation, said:
“These figures demonstrate the real difference the CSI is making to businesses, entrepreneurs and communities across Greater Manchester and beyond. In just two years, we’ve supported hundreds of organisations to develop new ideas, improve productivity and access the funding needed to bring innovation to life.
“The Centre has the infrastructure and ability to bring together world class research, industry expertise and real business challenges to drive meaningful change. We do not just help organisations respond to sustainability challenges. We help them unlock new opportunities for innovation, productivity and growth.”
“The Centre for Sustainable Innovation has become an important partner in supporting the region’s automotive, advanced engineering and manufacturing businesses. By combining academic expertise with a practical understanding of industry challenges, CSI is helping businesses improve their sustainability performance, increase competitiveness and contribute to Greater Manchester’s ambitions for innovation-led growth.” – Paul Jones, Chief Executive, Northern Automotive Alliance
The impact of the Centre is also reflected in the experiences of the organisations it supports.
Anita Frost, Founder of Green Bean Studios, said:
“The Centre for Sustainable Innovation is a place where businesses come to get heard. The leadership here make you feel seen and thought about in a way that you know they are thinking about what’s the best position, what’s the best thing for your business to access next.
“This has allowed us to grow, learn and cultivate opportunities for future growth; locally, regionally and nationally through consultations, advisories and accessing programmes.”
Looking ahead
While the report reflects on the Centre’s first two years, it also outlines ambitions for the future, including expanding support for businesses, growing collaborative research activity and strengthening partnerships that contribute to regional and national growth priorities.
Sara added:
“We’re proud of the impact we’ve made so far, but this is just the beginning. Our ambition is to support even more organisations to innovate, collaborate and thrive, helping to position Greater Manchester at the forefront of sustainable innovation in the UK.”