Category: Innovation

GDLX25 indie games expo comes to Surrey

Published 7 April 2025

Events and awards, Innovation

GDLX25, a leading games expo showcasing the best indie talent in the UK, is coming to Surrey for the first time.

More than 600 people attend the annual event run by Game Dev Local. It’s normally held in east London but was at risk of being cancelled after the venue fell through.

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) came to the rescue, hosting the fourth edition of GDLX at its Farnham campus this weekend (April 12, 2025)

Stuart De Ville, CEO of GDL, contacted UCA to ask if anything could be done to help. The team at the university then stepped in.

Andy Bossom, UCAโ€™s Industry Engagement Lead for the School of Games and Creative Technology said:

โ€œUCA prides itself on its can-do attitude โ€“ we are agile and were able to step in at the last minute, to become the host partner institution.

โ€œItโ€™s important for us to support the indie developer community, as many of UCAโ€™s games graduates aspire to work on unique indie games after graduation. The last couple of years has been tough for the games industry, in terms of studio closures and the pausing of other key UK games events.โ€

Stuart De Ville, CEO of GDL, said:

“The support from UCA has been nothing short of amazing. When we faced the unexpected challenge of losing our venue, it stepped up to ensure GDLX25 could still happen.

โ€œEvents like this are vital to the indie games industry, providing a space for developers to showcase their work, connect with industry professionals, and build a stronger community. Thanks to UCA, we can continue that mission and bring together some of the brightest talent in indie games this year.โ€

What is GDLX25?

GDLX25 is an indie games expo for indie game developers and enthusiasts.

GDLX25 is taking place Saturday 12 April, from 12pm to 7pm at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey.

With more than 50 independent games companies and around 600 attendees, it will showcase the brightest talent in the industry.

There will be industry talks, networking opportunities, and a careers stage led by experts on a wide range of topics, including game design, programming, art, and sound.

UCA can also announce, GAIN โ€“ Games and Innovation Nexus โ€“ will be the main sponsor of the event. GAIN is a partnership between UCA, the University of Surrey, and the University of Warwick supporting the wider gaming industry.

For more information, directions, and tickets visit www.uca.ac.uk/gdlx25.

Games and Surrey

Surreyโ€™s video game industry is one of the largest and most vibrant in the UK. It has over 85 studios and is often called the โ€˜Hollywood of Gamingโ€™.

Surrey has seen many world-first innovations in this growing sector. In total it generates more than ยฃ3 billion a year for the UK GDP and employs almost 50,000 people.

The region is home to a diverse array of studios, from small independent teams to large companies.

We’ve worked closely with UCA and the University of Surrey on the GAIN programme. This aims to strengthen links and develop infrastructure between gaming businesses in Surrey.

If you’re looking for additional support to grow, get in touch via our business support form.

Games development software is on a desktop screen, being looked at by two people.
Three people holding microphones are sat on stage at a conference, with a green background behind them

Digital changes coming for Surrey businesses

Published 13 March 2025

Advice and support, Innovation

Digital changes are coming for Surrey businesses of all sizes, which may impact how customers and suppliers contact, pay and invoice you.

In less than two years, all analogue landlines in the UK will be switched off. This could impact how customers contact your Surrey business and how they pay for your services.

Government is also considering the roll out of e-invoicing, which could improve productivity and automate business processes.

Below we set out how and when these changes are coming into force. And why your Surrey business should start thinking about futureproofing your business today.

Digital changes: phone lines

Landlines in the UK are going digital – but is your business ready?

The existing analogue technology – the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off. This is because the network is old, and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.

So by early 2027, all landline calls will be delivered over digital technology, called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). You might also see this referred to as โ€˜digital phoneโ€™ or โ€˜digital voiceโ€™.

This is not happening only in the UK. These changes are taking place all over the world.

Business benefits of digital phone lines

Trade magazine ISPreview estimates one in five (22%) of all UK businesses are still using analogue systems.

New digital phone lines will allow communications providers (such as BT, Virgin Media O2, Sky and Vodafone) to offer consumers and businesses clearer and better quality phone calls. There could also be new features such as anonymous caller rejection or three-way calling. 

VoIP is also more resistant to severe weather. The cables used are waterproof and less prone to damage during a storm or other severe weather events.

Landlines may also be used for alternative devices such as lift alarms, fax machines, burglar alarms and card payment systems.

BT has taken the decision to retire its PSTN by January 2027. This means other providers that use BTโ€™s network must follow the same timescale – so, at most, Surrey businesses have 18 months to move over to a new digital network.

Communications providers will not know which devices are connected to their network. So it is important for you to review which devices you’re using and decide if they need replacing or upgrading.

Then contact your current communications provider to discuss alternatives.

To help, Ofcom has published a list of FAQs and prompts. Openreach has also published factsheets for businesses who use phone lines to deliver services. This will help you understand how the move to VoIP services may affect you.

Digital changes: Electronic invoicing

Would electronic invoicing help your Surrey business? Government is seeking views on standardising and increasing its adoption across UK businesses.

E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyersโ€™ and suppliersโ€™ financial systems, even if these systems are different. The invoice is then automatically written into the buyerโ€™s financial system without manual processing.

Increased e-invoicing uptake may support economic growth, business productivity, improve business cashflow and reduce errors in tax returns. It has the potential to both support businesses and tax administration.

HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are currently running a joint consultation to understand how e-invoicing may align with you or your customersโ€™ businesses.

Businesses of all sizes โ€“ whether they use e-invoicing or not โ€“ are encouraged to take part, along with interest groups, representative bodies, industry bodies and individuals.

Responses will take a few minutes to complete via this online form.

Looking for further support?

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, to receive the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses, direct to your inbox every month.

A man sat a desk with a laptop in front of him smiles while looking at a phone. He is in a business environment. There is a pot plant on the table too.

Two exciting new opportunities for creative businesses with CoSTAR network

Published 4 March 2025

Advice and support, Funding and grants, Innovation

CoSTAR network, the national R&D network serving the UKโ€™s world-leading gaming, TV, film and performance sectors, has put out the call for creative businesses to apply to two new exciting opportunities: CoSTAR Ideate: Growth Lab and Residency, and CoSTAR Live Lab.

CoSTAR Ideate – creative technology

The CoSTAR Ideate call is open to 24 early growth companies in the creative technology sector. The programme will deliver enterprise and funding finance support from four of the new CoSTAR Network Labs.

The 24 successful companies will each benefit from a 5-month residency at one of the four CoSTAR Labs, (including desk and lab space). They will also receive business development guidance, lab time to enable product development, access to expert technical support and resources, and access to a community of like-minded start-ups and entrepreneurs from the creative technology sector.โ€ฏย And there are no fees to pay for any of this support.

Join an information session to find out more about Ideate and how to apply.

CoSTAR Live Lab – live performance

CoSTAR Live Lab, is inviting companies, technologists, and creatives to apply for their call to help shape the future of live performance.

While based at the world-renowned Production Park in Yorkshire โ€“ where icons like Beyoncรฉ, Metallica and The Rolling Stones prepare for their world tours โ€“ this call is open to applications from across the UK.

This call invites applications from teams with creative R&D projects focussed on the live performance sector, looking for the opportunity to accelerate and advance their innovation activity.

The following support packages are available for the successful applicants:

  • up to two intensive one-week development sprints at the CoSTAR Live Lab. This includes on-boarding and orientation by the technical team.
  • research staff will guide and collaborate with you during the tenancy, with further ad-hoc support possible outside of the sprint windows.
  • cash funding of up to ยฃ13,000 to contribute towards costs in undertaking the project, such as contracting performers, interaction design, editing, consumables etc.
  • if a project requires a period of residency (two or more days) and if travel distance is more than two hours from that lab, a company stipend of up to ยฃ4,000 is available to support travel and accommodation.ย 

To find out more about the CoSTAR Live Lab call, watch the recording of the information webinar here.

Application timings

Both calls are open to applicants across the UK.

Applications for CoSTAR Live Lab close on Thursday 20 March, 2025, and the CoSTAR Ideate call closes on Monday 24 March 2025, so click the links to find out more information and apply today.

Further support for Surrey businesses

Business Surrey isย Surrey County Councilโ€™s service providing free and accessible support for all businesses across Surrey. Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on exploring opportunities and how to tackle various challenges.

Whatever your business, our experts are here to help you succeed by providing access to quality resources, expert local knowledge and professional insight.

Our offer incudes:

You can also register to receive our regular newsletter, packed with the latest news on funding, events, free training and support for all Surrey businesses.

Celebrating 50 years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Published 17 February 2025

Innovation, Skills and workforce

For 50 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have been at the forefront of innovation, forging dynamic collaborations between forward-thinking businesses and leading academics. These partnerships extend beyond theory, to provide tangible results, driving growth and transforming business.

Each KTP project is bespoke to address the specific innovation challenges and needs of the business. A highly qualified graduate or postgraduate (the Associate) is embedded within the company supported by a dedicated academic team. Imagine a business struggling to implement new technology or develop a ground-breaking product or service. This unique three-way partnership leverages cutting-edge research and expertise to implement innovative solutions that deliver real-world commercial impact.

Jointly funded by Innovate UK and the business partner, KTPs offer a transformative opportunity for businesses of all sizes. They empower companies to:

  • Develop innovative products, services, and processes that disrupt markets, capture new customers, and boost competitiveness
  • Streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, leading to improved profitability and sustainable growth
  • Access cutting-edge expertise and facilities that would otherwise be out of reach, providing a crucial competitive edge
  • Develop the skills of a highly qualified graduate or postgraduate, providing them with invaluable practical experience while contributing to the UK economy.

A Proven Track Record of Success

For 50 years, KTPs have been a catalyst for business success, driving productivity, profitability, and job creation across the UK. The numbers speak for themselves: between 2010-2020, KTPs โ€‹generated over ยฃ2 billion for the UK economy. Today, they continue to fuel innovation, supporting around 800 businesses and nurturing the careers of over 850 talented graduates. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real businesses thriving, new technologies emerging, and a brighter future for the UK economy. KTPs are more than partnerships; they are investments in innovation, driving growth and shaping the future.

Surrey Enterprise Hub KTP team: delivering excellence

The University of Surrey boasts a track record in supporting KTPs. With a 12-year, 100% success rate in KTP applications, the Surrey Enterprise Hubโ€™s KTP team is committed to excellence in delivering collaborative research and innovation. They provide comprehensive support to businesses, ensuring a smooth journey from project inception to successful completion.ย 

Proven success stories through diverse KTPs:

The Butternut Box Knowledge Transfer Partnerships team (left to right): Ciara Clarke (Butternut Box, In-house Vet and Research Lead), Dan Bance (Surrey Innovation Manager), Charlotte McCormack (Butternut Box, Director of Product Development), David Nolan (Butternut Box, Co-Founder) Jasmeen Kaur (KTP Associate), Susan Armstrong (Surrey Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Research), Teresa Hollands (Surrey Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nutrition), Shona Campbell (IUK Business Connect, KT Advisor) ยฉ University of Surrey
Butternut Box KTP team, ยฉ University of Surrey

The Surrey Enterprise Hub’s latest KTP project is with Butternut Box, a certified B Corp company specialising in producing Fresh, human-quality dog food. In collaboration with experts from the Universityโ€™s School of Veterinary Medicine, the team will seek to scientifically prove the nutritional benefits of Fresh dog food, driving category growth and market share. David Nolan, co-founder of Butternut Box and Surrey alumnus, said

โ€œAt Butternut, we’re proud to invest in and support non-invasive research. In recent years, we’ve focused on demonstrating the health benefits of feeding Fresh, as well as broader issues like weight management and fussy eating behaviour. All our findings are made public on our Research Hub at ButternutBox.com. Weโ€™re excited to collaborate with the KTP and the University of Surrey in this ground-breaking study, which we hope will illustrate the transformative power of Fresh over traditional diets.”

Knowledge Transfer partnerships
William Medcalf and James Aitken (c) University of Surrey

In a previous successful partnership with William Medcalf Ltd, a renowned Vintage Bentley automotive engineering business, researchers from the Surrey Business School and the School of Engineering, collaborated with the company to redesign their supply chain and incorporate new technologies into its automative processes. This transformation led to business expansion, restructuring, and creating new roles.

Prof James Aitken, lead academic on the project, brought 30 yearsโ€™ worth of experience in research and industry to the project:

โ€œItโ€™s not just my academic credentials, itโ€™s my business knowledge, โ€ฆ that is helping the business explore different avenues and different market opportunities.โ€

Another success story involved partnering with scientific and medical instrument manufacturer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. The team leveraged the expertise of the Universityโ€™s Advanced Technology Institute and Department of Mechanical Engineering, to develop a novel application of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling.

Richard White, Director of Application Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said a KTP is invaluable for,

โ€œtransferring some understanding, or innovation, or an idea thatโ€™s currently in an academic environment โ€ฆ into industry,โ€ and using that to โ€œdevelop a new product or change an existing product to give new benefits.โ€

The KTP project resulted in a new patented instrument and a lasting partnership between Thermo Fisher Scientific and the University.

To find out more about the benefits of a KTP, visit: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/innovation/funding/knowledge-transfer-partnerships or contact the University of Surreyโ€™s Surrey Enterprise Hub KTP Manager, Dan Bance, at collaborate@surrey.ac.uk

More support for Surrey businesses

At Business Surrey, our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more viaย our business support form.

You can alsoย register to receive our newsletter, to receive the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses, direct to your inbox every month.

Magical Mushroom Company – a Surrey Success Story

Published 20 January 2025

Innovation, Surrey Success Stories

Magical Mushroom Company is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ€“ large and small โ€“ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover how Surrey is harnessing nature to help it grow.

Magical Mushroom Company: growing from nature

Meet the Surrey company harnessing the power of nature to tackle plastic pollution.

Magical Mushroom Company launched in Esher in 2019. Since then has grown from startup to a scaling business producing millions of pieces of packaging for a huge range of companies across Europe.

The company harnesses the natural flexibility and strength of mycelium, the material structure of fungi, to grow protective packaging by combining it with agricultural waste such as hemp, cork and sawdust.

This offers a safe, sustainable and totally home-compostable alternative to plastic foams. Clients include Selfridges, Lush and drinks company Seedlip.

As well as packaging it has grown chairs, beehives, hampers, and even funerary urns!

Growing in Surrey

Magical Mushroom Company continues to grow from its Surrey roots.

Its base in Esher has provided a strong foothold for business in the capital while able it to recruit top local talent. It also provides employees a great quality of life.

Magical Mushroom Company continues to evolve- and now the only firm in the world mass producing mycelium products.

Since 2020, the company has produced millions and millions of pieces of Mushroomยฎ Packaging, effectively removing thousands of tonnes of plastic packaging from landfill.

Thanks to a ยฃ1.1 million loan from Innovate UK, it has opened a UK-based raw materials plant so it can ramp up production.

With factories in Nottingham and Sofia, its capacity has grown to 200,000 units per week.

All this means it has about 50 full-time employees and on track to turnover ยฃ6 million in 2024.

Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?

Thanks to our desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.

As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council can assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey via the Invest in Surrey service.

Whether youโ€™re a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.

Get in touch with the team today via our business support form.

Two men looking at products in a Building Materials merchants
Man wearing gloves sprinkling sawdust into a container
An image of inside the Magical Mushroom Company factory in Esher, Surrey

Tech start-up Finchetto wins three awards for driving innovation

Published 9 January 2025

Innovation

Tech start-up Finchetto rounded off 2024 in style after scooping three awards for innovation.

The company based at Surrey Research Park in Guildford is developing the worldโ€™s first fully-optical passive Ethernet switch for data centres.

This could transform the energy efficiency of data centres across the globe – making them more sustainable and freeing up energy to advance the roll out of artificial intelligence (AI).

The work is being recognised globally with various awards. One of which singles the Guildford-based company out as potential new Spotify or Deliveroo.

Who are tech start-up Finchetto?

Finchetto is run by CEOย Mark Rushworthย and CTOย Michael Pearcey. The focus is developing alternatives to traditional electronic switches, which are energy-intensive and generate excessive heat, requiring costly cooling systems.

Currently data centres consume 2% of all global electricity. And traditional electric network switches are the workhorses of every data centre, accounting for 20% of a centre’s total energy use.

Finchetto’s design could reduce this power requirement by up to 26 times. This means it has the potential to transform the efficiency and sustainability of data centres worldwide.

And, with powering sufficient compute is the single greatest challenge for AI today, its work could be key in the roll out of new technologies.

Since being incorporated in July 2020 Finchetto has steadily grown. And 2024 was an important year in its development as it secured high-profile funding and a new home.

Finchetto’s success in 2024

The Surrey-based start-up put together a successful ยฃ1 million bid for the SBRI Future Telecommunications Challenge in March 2024. It was one of just 16 businesses to secure a slice of the ยฃ70m funding pot

In October 2024, Finchetto moved into Surrey Research Park, one of the UKโ€™s leading hubs for innovation and home to over 170 companies at the forefront of technological and scientific advancement.

Since then it has made waves in the tech industry, winning three major awards for its revolutionary work.

In November, Finchetto earned top honours at the Deep Tech Demo Day 2024, a competition involving 170 companies across Europe. Judges praised the companyโ€™s photonic computing innovation for its transformative potential in networking and AI performance.

The startup also scooped โ€œHottest Pre-seed Startupโ€ at The Europas Tech Startup Awards. They are joining the ranks of previous winners include Spotify and Deliveroo.

Most recently, Finchetto received a TechWorks Award for Technology Breakthrough, which recognises the best in UK tech.

Mark Rushworth, CEO of Finchetto Ltd said: โ€œBy using light to send and switch data, we aim to revolutionise datacentre efficiency. Joining Surrey Technology Centre has been instrumental in our progress, and we are proud to have our work recognised with these awards. We look forward to advancing this transformative technology.โ€

Caroline Fleming, Director, Surrey Innovation District ecosystem, University of Surrey said: “Congratulationsย to the Finchetto team! Their cutting-edge research positions them as leaders in photonic computing, tackling the challenge of growing AI processing demands while reducing environmental impact. By supporting companies like Finchetto, Surrey Research Park continues its 40-year tradition of fostering innovation and supporting award-winning businesses.”

Start up support in Surrey

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey, including startups.

Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on range of issues. Contact the team for free via ourย Business Support Form.

Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

Not sure what you need help with? Get in touch by completing ourย Contact Us form.

A man in formal black tie holds an award in front of a promotional banner. The award is to Finchetto from TechWorks.

3ti: a Surrey Success Story

Published 5 December 2024

Innovation, Surrey Success Stories

3ti is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ€“ large and small โ€“ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover how this Leatherhead company has become a leading light in renewable energy and EV charging.

3ti: fueling cars with sunshine

Have you heard about the company that creates solar-powered pop-up car parks?

Our latest Surrey Success Story features 3ti, a Leatherhead company which is a leader in the renewable energy, battery storage and EV charging sectors.

Since being founded in 2019, the company has grown from 3 to 33 employees. And it’s forecast to turnover ยฃ10 million in 2024.

3ti’s products have generated eight gigawatt-hours of solar power โ€“ saving customers ยฃ2 million in energy costs and avoiding carbon emissions equivalent to planting over 32,000 trees.

The impact is also clear in the bottom line. The company is growing year on year and almost doubled its headcount in the last 12 months.

Innovation and sustainability

3ti stands for three technology infrastructure – meaning solar, batteries and EV charging.

The company combines these technologies in pop-up car park infrastructure.

3ti’s core product is Papilio3, a pop-up mini solar car park and EV charging hub made out of a converted shipping container.

As founder Tim Evans said: “When I drive home this evening, it will be powered by this afternoon’s sunshine.”

Being based in Leatherhead brings many benefits to the company.

It provides a fantastic quality of life for its employees. There are good schools, thriving communities and accessible countryside in easy reach. Plus there are fast connections to London, Gatwick, the M25 and beyond.

Being based in Surrey allows 3ti to access a highly-skilled talent pool powered by three leading universities.

Ryan Sherratt is a living example. He landed a job with 3ti straight out of university and is now putting his renewables learning into real-life practice with a growing business.

Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?

Thanks to Surrey’s desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.

As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council offers theย Invest in Surrey service. We assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey.

So whether youโ€™re a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.

Get in touch with the team today via our business support form.

A white electric car with 3ti on its side is charging at a pop up solar car park made out of a shipping container.
Man sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen and smiling
Man using an electric charging plug to charge up his car. On the back of the white vehicle is a 3ti logo.

Creative Corridor initiative could boost and grow Surrey’s creative industries

Published 2 December 2024

Innovation

Creative Corridor – an initiative to grow and recognise Surrey’s creative industries – has launched. And businesses of all sizes are encouraged to get involved.

Surrey County Council has commissioned the University for the Creative Arts to look at ways to bring together creative producers, education partners and production facilities in and around the region.

The aim is to accelerate development of a Surrey+ Creative Corridor. This would recognise the region as a nationally and globally significant hub for creative technology innovation and economic growth.

The first step is the developing a Surrey+ Strategy, looking at the challenges and opportunities of the creative industries in Surrey.

A series of workshops with businesses and partners are taking place this month. View the details below. Or you can sign up via the Fifth Sector website.

Creative industries – a growing sector

Surrey is a hotbed for the creative industries, with its businesses generating billions to the regional economy and employing thousands of people. This has supported growth across the UK.

The success of the creative sector has generated further growth – leading to a “cluster” of creative industries setting up in the county.

This allows them to collaborate and compete, supporting knowledge exchange and accessing physical spaces such as film studios and cultural infrastructure

In time it attracts more skilled workers, specialist suppliers and investors, fostering a wider environment of collaboration and competition.

Surrey’s Creative Corridor is identified as part of the London and M25 Creative Supercluster hotspot, extending across London, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex. This region accounted for 68% of the UKโ€™s creative industries GVA (ยฃ71 billion) in 2019.

Figures from UKRI show from 2010 to 2019 the creative industries grew more than 1.5 times faster than the wider UK economy. In 2021 they generated ยฃ108 billion in economic value, employing 2.3 million people – a 49% increase since 2011.

What is Creative Corridor?

Theย Creative Corridor Initiative aims to support Surrey’s creative industries by identifying opportunities, addressing challenges, and attracting investment.

Over the next six months, an Advisory Board will shape a report that outlines actionable steps to grow the creative economy in Surrey and South Central. This will be led by commissioned experts the Fifth Sector.

Skills and strengthening the talent pipeline will be a focus. It will also explore the potential for establishing a ‘creative corridor’ with other regional neighbours.

The report launches at UCA Farnham in March 2025.

Get involved with Creative Corridor

Workshops with a diverse group of stakeholders are taking place this month (December 2024)

They will bring together industry, education and the public sector to talk about the future skills needs of the creative cluster, as well as opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Bookings are now open. Sign up below.

  • Surrey+ Cultural, Creative & Media Workshopย – Tuesday 3 December 2024, 10am to 11.30am (online โ€“ register here)
  • Surrey+ Games, Interactive and Convergent Screen Technologies Workshop โ€“ Monday 9 December, 2pm to 3.30pm (online โ€“ register here)
  • Surrey+ Tech Sector Workshop โ€“ Wednesday 11 December, 3pm to 4.30pm (online โ€“ register here)
  • Surrey+ Exploration & Exchange event โ€“ Thursday 12 December, 10.30am to 12pm (The Wells at UCA Epsom โ€“ register here)

These workshops build on the 2023 Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), driving a coordinated approach to boost the growth and resilience of the local creative economy while increasing opportunities for the creative workforce across the region.

Support for your business

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey. Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your business.

The inside of a cutting-edge virtual production studio, ready for use by the creative industries

CIFAL Surrey brings UN-backed sustainability institute to the region

Published 27 November 2024

Innovation

CIFAL Surrey – a United Nations-backed study centre for sustainability – has launched, aiming to tackle major global challenges by empowering local leaders and communities.  

Drastically improving the UKโ€™s ability to address climate change is the grand challenge that the new United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-affiliated CIFAL centre will tackle.  

It launched this week (Monday, 25 November) at the University of Surrey in Guildford with a ceremonial UN flag raising, a Signing Ceremony and a panel event.

In attendance was a senior delegation from UNITAR, Zรถe Franklin, MP for Guildford, and a range of the universityโ€™s collaborative partners in business and government.

What is CIFAL Surrey?  

Situated within the Universityโ€™s Institute for Sustainability, CIFAL Surrey will deliver both training and capacity building on a wide range of sustainability challenges.

This includes helping facilitate knowledge exchange among leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society โ€“ locally, nationally and internationally, as well as UK-based international organisations. 

The CIFAL Centre will draw on the University of Surreyโ€™s strong research heritage and active engagement in sustainability.

It will work with UNITAR (the UNโ€™s training branch) and the CIFAL Global Network among other stakeholders to lead both training and capacity-building initiatives in sustainability.

This will ensure CIFAL Surrey makes a unique and much-needed contribution to empowering climate leadership through enhanced climate literacy within and beyond Surrey. 

CIFAL Surrey will also work in partnership with national and local government, industry, civil society, and beyond. This includes developing sustainable economic practices, and helping to advance action towards the UNโ€™s Sustainable Development Goals.

CIFAL Surrey is the second UN-affiliated centre on campus, following the 2023 launch of the Centre of Excellence for Ageing, which appointed its first cohort of Fellows in June 2024. 

CIFAL Surrey – what they say

Professor Amelia Hadfield, Associate Vice President for External Engagement, and the new Director of CIFAL Surrey, said: Sustainability is far more than just a philosophy limited to net zero here at the University of Surrey. For us, and our community, sustainability reflects our deep, shared commitment to rebuilding a thriving planet for future generations. From the fundamentals of climate change to advanced policy implementation, CIFAL Surrey will provide hands-on training and resources to national and local government, businesses, and community groups, helping them deliver on the demands for a more sustainable future.

Alex Mejia, Division Director at United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), said: “We are honoured to inaugurate CIFAL Surrey, hosted by the University of Surrey, a renowned global institution at the forefront of innovation and learning. This new centre will mark an important step in our mission to advance sustainable development and capacity-building worldwide. It will serve as a vital hub for fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange across the United Kingdom and beyond.”

Councillor Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth at Surrey County Council, said: It’s a pleasure to be able to welcome the team from the United Nations to launch this new international centre in the heart of Surrey.

The CIFAL centre will play a key role in promoting sustainable development at home and abroad while also opening up opportunities for our communities. It also reinforces the region’s global reputation for innovation, research and knowledge exchange.

Sustainability support for your business

Surrey is committed to a net zero future โ€“ and as businesses in our vibrant regional economy, you are vital to achieving this goal by 2050.

There is lots of practical support, courses and funding out there to help your business along the way.

Looking for help to get started? Get in touch via our business support form and we can provide bespoke support for your business.

Surrey County Council is also providing a series of free “decarbonise your business” sessions throughout 2024 and 2025.

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Surrey County Council helps fund unique virtual production studio to support local creative technology businesses

Published 25 November 2024

Business news, Innovation

An exciting new virtual production facility, Futures Studio, has now opened at Royal Holloway, University of London, to provide creative technology businesses a space to innovate, showcase their work and collaborate with industry experts and world-class researchers.

The launch was celebrated with an interactive showcase event attended by leading partners in the creative technology industry including Sky, BT and Limax Studios. The event featured a series of inspiring demonstrations in the studio led by Disguise and CoSTAR National Lab specialist teams, while also providing businesses attending the opportunity to network with their fellow industry experts and researchers from acadaemia.

World-leading creative technology

Jointly funded by Royal Holloway and Surrey County Council, the studio is based at the Universityโ€™s Egham campus and packed with cutting-edge equipment. This includes a unique combination of a virtual production environment and a next generation audio system. The Futures Studio is powered by Royal Hollowayโ€™s partnership with Disguise, the platform behind world-leading (and record-breaking) visual experiences including live events for Taylor Swift, Adele, Beyonce and Massive Attack.

The Futures Studio offers businesses an advanced facility to innovate and generate new products and services, and will enable the flourishing local creative economy to thrive and grow. It is also the first facility to be opened as part of the CoSTAR National Lab, a ยฃ51.1 million project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to create a national infrastructure for creative innovation.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โ€œWe want to nurture and grow this world-class sector, which is why we have invested ยฃ3 million in supporting Royal Holloway and the CoSTAR National Lab.

โ€œThis exciting project has innovation and collaboration at its core, allowing local businesses to tap into the cutting-edge research and technologies at Royal Holloway, one of our leading universities in the county.

โ€œIn time, this initiative will deliver real benefits to our regional economy, creating up to 300 jobs and supporting 180 businesses while stimulating further investment into our creative sector.โ€

The Futures Studio launch comes just weeks after the governmentโ€™s budget confirmed its commitment to support the UKโ€™s growth-driving creative industries, worth ยฃ125 billion to the UK economy.

Professor James Bennett, Director, CoSTAR National Lab and Royal Hollowayโ€™s Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Creative Industries), said: โ€œFutures Studio is CoSTAR National Labโ€™s first step in building the UKโ€™s infrastructure for the next generation of creative innovation and entertainment and weโ€™re excited to see how local businesses can benefit from this unique space.

โ€œBy providing an accessible facility that combines research and the latest technology we’re lowering the barrier for local smaller businesses to not only compete, but to lead the wider evolving creative tech industry.โ€

Futures Studio project lead Professor Peter Richardson, Vice-Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange (School of Performing and Digital Arts) at Royal Holloway, and Head of Worldbuilding for the CoSTAR National Lab, said: โ€œTechnology often powers creativity; our approach is to have creativity power technology which allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible. The Futures Studio gives us a space where we can push the boundaries with creative companies in a way that will de-risk their research and development projects.โ€

How local creative business can get involved

Futures Studio has the potential to support local businesses by creating hundreds of jobs and deliver on the objectives set out in the recent Civic Agreement for Surrey. Small and medium-sized local businesses in Surrey will be offered access to creative technology showcases throughout the year and are encouraged to apply for access to the studio and expertise to develop their projects.

For more information about the upcoming opportunities within Futures Studio, please contact CoSTAR National Labโ€™s Enterprise and Commercialisation team: futuresstudio@rhul.ac.uk

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