INAUGURAL HUNTER INNOVATION SCORECARD LAUNCHED

Mr Paul Jeans, Chancellor, University of Newcastle launched the inaugural Hunter Innovation Scorecard to 150 Hunter business representatives at Newcastle Museum on Thursday 18th.

An initiative of RDA Hunter, the Hunter Innovation Scorecard measures the Hunter’s innovative capability. Based on time series data collected by the Hunter Valley Research Foundation, the Scorecard tracks Hunter companies’ capacity to innovate, as well as highlighting four of the Hunter’s peak enabling organisations and nine of the region’s innovative companies.

“This is the first time that a measure for innovation has been undertaken in regional Australia. The Scorecard demonstrates that businesses in the Hunter are increasingly innovative,” said RDA Hunter CEO, Mr Todd Williams.

Speakers at the launch include Renew Newcastle’s Marcus Westbury, the 2013 Hunter Innovation Champion who will deliver a keynote address relating his experience of implementing innovative solutions for the Hunter.

Ms Sharon Grierson, Federal Member for Newcastle will attend and discuss the importance of innovation for the region and government’s commitment to it while Dr Brent Jenkins, Chair of the Hunter Innovation Scorecard committee will explain the importance of measuring innovation and how the Hunter will continue to benchmark itself into the future.

“The future of the Hunter’s economy will be underpinned by our ability to innovate.  With a $37billion economy – the largest regional economy in Australia – the Hunter is well positioned to take opportunities nationally and internationally.” continued Mr Williams.

The Hunter Innovation Scorecard has been co-ordinated by a Committee Chaired by Newcastle Innovation CEO, Dr Brent Jenkins that includes PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hunter Valley Research Foundation, AusIndustry and RDA Hunter.

View the NBN Story

http://www.nbnnews.com.au/index.php/2013/07/19/hunter-scorecard/