Showcasing the region’s strengths in Boston Published on: 4 December 2018 A US trade mission built around the North East’s expertise in ageing, nutrition, digital, science and tech heads to Boston to build strategic partnerships and show the region as a place to invest. Â鶹´«Ã½’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) and Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council are jointly leading the delegation on the visit , alongside a Department for International Trade Northern Powerhouse Trade mission to Boston, now in its fifth year. Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council chief executive said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build on the relationships we have already established as well as being able to raise the profile of Â鶹´«Ã½, the North of Tyne area and the wider Northern Powerhouse as an attractive base for potential investors, promoting the region as an exemplar and centre of excellence around ageing and technology.” Boston Northern Powerhouse The Â鶹´«Ã½ delegation also includes Â鶹´«Ã½ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) and Invest Â鶹´«Ã½, while Northumbria University and The North East Chamber of Commerce is represented along with venture capitalist Northstar Ventures, companies and businesses from across the region as part of the wider Northern Powerhouse delegation. The Boston visit will include (MIT), ranked fourth in the Times Higher Education world university rankings 2019; The City of Boston, which is recognised for its work around Data and Ageing Innovation; The public office for the State of Massachusetts Age Friendly teams, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP who have offices across both cities and US businesses interested in expanding into the UK. Â鶹´«Ã½ is one of the leading research-intensive Russell Group Universities in the UK. It has major research strengths in Cities, Culture and Creative Arts, Energy, Ageing and Health, and Data Science. It is devising a new model for developing, testing and bringing to market products and services that will improve quality of life. With co-investment from the UK Government it launched NICA and NICD. Both will be based on Â鶹´«Ã½ Helix, a £350m flagship development being delivered as a partnership between Â鶹´«Ã½, Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council and Legal 7 General. Professor Brian Walker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Resources at Â鶹´«Ã½, said: “Like all universities, we know that it is only by bringing together all the available expertise in innovation that we will tackle today’s global challenges. “By combining our knowledge and experience in ageing, data science and urban partnerships with similar expertise in Boston, we aim to deliver innovations with greater impact for the economy and society across the globe.” VOICE is an organisation - based at NICA - that aims to capture the public’s vast insights, experience and ideas, and harness their expectations about research, innovation and policy developments that are needed to help healthy ageing. Dr Lynne Corner, Director of VOICE, said: “Whether you live in Â鶹´«Ã½ or Boston, the challenges we face as we grow older have striking similarities - to be able to capture the experience and insight of older people is a key asset, giving access to this growing market.” Sharing strengths Jen Hartley, Inward Investment Director,, who is also part of the delegation, said: “The US continues to be the primary source market for Foreign Direct Investment into the UK and this trip gives us an unmissable opportunity to build long-term strategic relationships. “Boston has strong sector synergies with our region - this visit will provide a platform to promote and share our strengths. We will also be showcasing Â鶹´«Ã½ Helix and its unique assets as the perfect location to locate and grow a science or technology driven business.” Dame Jackie Daniel, CEO of Â鶹´«Ã½ Hospitals, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the very best experts in Boston who are at the forefront of research and innovation in ageing.” has been supporting entrepreneurs since 2004, investing over £100m into start-ups, early stage businesses and high impact social enterprises in the region. Alasdair Greig, Director, Northstar Ventures, said: "We are always looking to develop and strengthen links to business communities across the globe.  We know this can lead to opportunities and collaboration in the future, both for ourselves and our portfolio companies. “We are particularly interested in the growing opportunities presented by our ageing society and longevity economy, so we are looking forward to exploring this field more with colleagues in Boston." 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