Minister reinforces Helix site as centre for digital innovation Published on: 10 July 2019 Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries enjoyed a preview tour of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s highly anticipated Catalyst Building during her visit to the city. Set to open in Spring 2020, Catalyst will be home to the National Innovation Centres of Data and Ageing, reinforcing Â鶹´«Ã½’s reputation and status as Smart City of the Year. It will sit in the heart of – a 24-acre, £350 million innovation district in the centre of Â鶹´«Ã½, a joint venture between Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council and Â鶹´«Ã½. Spread over five floors, the Catalyst Building will feature market research rooms, a data visualisation suite, large-scale prototyping facilities, a dementia friendly meeting room, TED style theatre and exhibition space and café. It will also offer on-site support to facilitate networking and collaboration. L:R - Nigel Sterritt,Jennifer Hartley, Margot James, Professor Lynne Corner, Professor Steve Caughey, Francesca Ward, Daniel Dickinson Professor Jane Robinson, Dean of Engagement and Place, Â鶹´«Ã½, said: “Â鶹´«Ã½ is proud that Helix is supporting the rapid growth of the digital and creative sector in the North East. We are linking academic expertise and industry to apply technological developments to make a real difference to people’s lives locally and across the globe.” Whilst on site at Helix on Friday 5 July the Minister also met with local businesses during the First Friday networking session held in the Core building. Â鶹´«Ã½ paving the way Margot James, Minister for the Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “I was delighted to visit Helix which will play a key role in maintaining Â鶹´«Ã½’s reputation as a leading UK smart city and to meet representatives who are supporting this work. “The collaborative use of data and digital across industry, academia and the public sector is helping to support innovation across the Northern Powerhouse, and through our modern Industrial Strategy we are using the power of technology to change people’s lives. I look forward to seeing this work progress.” Professor John Fitzgerald, Head of the School of Computing at Â鶹´«Ã½ introducing Margot James. Jennifer Hartley, Director, said: “The Digital Leaders Smart City of the Year Award is testament to the City’s reputation for innovation in smart, clean and digital technologies. We were thrilled to be able to host Margot James on Helix and discuss how assets and initiatives on site aim to help people live better for longer.” Press release courtesy of Invest Â鶹´«Ã½ Latest News Local knowledge can improve early warnings of glacial lake floods Local knowledge, improved evacuation preparedness and resilient mobile phone-based communication channels can enhance Early Warning Systems to reduce loss of life during glacial lake outburst floods. published on: 3 August 2026 Funding boost moves landmark cancer research centre a step closer A £1.25 million grant from the Wolfson Foundation to Â鶹´«Ã½ has brought the Sir Bobby Robson Institute a significant step closer, giving a major boost to its fundraising campaign. published on: 3 August 2026 Statement on potential unauthorised data access Information about a potential unauthorised data access. published on: 30 July 2026 Facts and figures
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