Brunel University of London, in collaboration with its civic partner West London Business and Higher Education partner Harper Adams University, is delivering a programme funded by the EPSRC. This initiative focuses on addressing the innovation challenges within the food manufacturing and distribution sector in Park Royal.
EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. It invests more than £850 million annually in a broad range of subjects, from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering.
Universities and research institutions play a crucial role in driving innovative clusters of economic activity. Place Based Impact Acceleration Accounts (PBIAAs) are key to delivering EPSRC’s Place strategy, which aims to strengthen existing partnerships and clusters, and develop new co-created opportunities in engineering and physical sciences and beyond, based on national and local insights. PBIAAs provide up to 4 years of consortia funding to support a programme of impact activities within an emerging or established research and innovation cluster.
Brunel University of London is a leading UK research institution recognised for its innovation and societal impact. As the lead partner in the Park Royal Net Zero programme, Brunel is dedicated to advancing sustainable urban development through research, collaboration, and industry engagement. At the heart of this initiative is the belief that a sustainable food system must be environmentally responsible from farm to fork - a vision shared with Harper Adams University, its academic partner.
Renowned for its academic expertise in engineering and design, materials science, digital technologies, business, social sciences, and food supply chains, Brunel fosters interdisciplinary research that delivers practical, scalable solutions. The university continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable, more resilient future.
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Harper Adams University is the UK’s leading specialist university in the agri-food sector, providing essential expertise for the decarbonisation of food systems. As a key partner in the Park Royal Net Zero programme, the university contributes world-class knowledge in low-carbon food production, vertical farming, precision agriculture, food science and safety, and sustainable business practices. Harper Adams promotes an integrated approach to food systems, harmonising ecological and social principles to create resilient, equitable, and sustainable food supply chains.
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West London Business (WLB) is a UK non-profit business leadership forum founded in 1994. It represents businesses and enterprises in the seven West London Alliance boroughs: Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Hounslow.
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Our research and innovation cluster is the Park Royal Industrial Estate in West London, the largest industrial estate in London, spanning 2.1 million square meters. It is home to 1,700 businesses employing over 40,000 people. Around 28% of the businesses (over 500) are in the food and drink sector, producing about 30% of London’s food and drink and contributing approximately £8 billion annually to the economy. Colloquially known as London’s Kitchen, Park Royal is a critical component of the supply chain for food and drink into central London and Heathrow. The estate spans three London Boroughs: Brent, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham, and forms part of the regeneration zone administered by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
We are keen to collaborate with food and drink businesses in Park Royal to develop solutions that help achieve your net-zero goals.
Please register your interest by submitting the form, and our team will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
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