KTN, the independent organisation that connects ideas, people and communities to create real world solutions to the biggest challenges faced by the UK Government and industry, and one of the delivery partners of the KTP Programme, has today launched a new strategy which will see it turn its innovation engine onto major environmental and societal issues.  It is unveiling its new strategy alongside new branding and a new website. 

A major partner of Innovate UK, KTN was founded to bring disparate sectors together to facilitate R&D and fast-track innovation, with the explicit goal to stimulate the UK economy.  

Today’s shift in focus, which is being driven by newly appointed CEO, Dr Alicia Greated, is the cornerstone of a five-year plan to “change the world”, using KTN’s deep expertise and powerful connections not only for economic good, but environmental and societal good too, starting with the goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Dr Alicia Greated says, “Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research, and we make that happen.  KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating the time it takes for ambitious ideas to become real-world solutions, and we’ve been incredibly successful over the years.

KTN is playing an important role in overcoming some of the most high-profile and complicated problems the UK economy is facing.  But beyond our shores, the world is up against some even bigger challenges: climate change, COVID-19, access to healthcare, trade and investment, the future of global finance and online security – to name a few.  If we broaden our scope, we can tackle more of these problems and change the world for the better”.

David Lawrence, chair of KTN’s Board commented “History tells us that innovation typically comes from new intersections between ideas, technologies and people. Innovation has never been more important to the UK than now. KTN and its network is committed to creating and fostering diverse connections to drive innovation for positive change to our economy, but also towards a more sustainable society. I am proud to be chairing this organisation which is dedicated to catalysing positive change across the entire spectrum of innovation.”

To find out more about opportunities to accelerate your innovative project or challenge, visit www.ktn-uk.org. 

Pictured: Dr Alicia Greated, CEO, KTN