Investment Minister Visits University Of Liverpool
Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton OBE, Minister for Investment, visited the University of Liverpool to learn how its world-leading research and innovation in materials and life sciences are driving economic growth.
The visit showcased the University’s flagship centre for materials discovery, the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF). Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University and Dr Jon Hague of Unilever led a tour of the £81 million facility, which was developed in partnership with Unilever.
The Minister learned about MIF’s pioneering research in artificial intelligence and materials chemistry, its state-of-the-art facilities, and its unique partnership model that fosters academic-industrial collaboration. Discussions also covered MIF’s achievements and future development plans.
During the visit, the Minister outlined her department’s priorities and the government’s broader investment ambitions. She met with industrial partners and regional stakeholders to hear their perspectives and discuss city and regional investment plans.
A key focus of the discussions was the development of the city’s life sciences sector, which plays a crucial role in the Liverpool City Region’s Investment Zone strategy to boost health and life sciences.
This includes ambitious plans for a new Pandemic Preparedness and Response Facility in Liverpool, featuring cutting-edge research laboratories to enhance the UK’s infectious disease research and innovation capabilities. Additionally, plans were discussed for an Academic Health Sciences Campus on the former Royal Liverpool University Hospital site.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said: “The visit provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how our world-leading research and innovation supports the government’s core growth mission.
“As a global University, we take immense pride in our role within the ambitious investment plans for the city and wider region.
“It was a pleasure to showcase our research and innovation strengths in life sciences, materials chemistry and artificial intelligence and discuss the University’s pivotal role in regional investment and economic growth in the UK
“The Minister and her team left with a very positive impression of our research strengths, the depth of our partnership with industry and the Liverpool City Region, and a clear understanding of our future ambitions.”
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson OBE said: “Our Plan for Change is prioritising economic growth, so I was delighted to be in Liverpool to discuss the vital investment and infrastructure opportunities that will deliver new jobs and drive innovation into Merseyside.
“We are backing key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences in our upcoming Industrial Strategy in order to deliver the long-term, stable growth that supports jobs and raises living standards across the entire UK.”
Jon Hague, Head of Bright Future Science and Technology for Unilever Homecare, added:
“The creation of the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) and the unique partnership with the University of Liverpool, together with the support of UK Government, has been of immense value in creating innovative technology for many of Unilever’s famous home and personal care brands, in the UK and all parts of the world.
“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to our facility within the MIF and set out how such a unique partnership can create both world class science and large-scale commercial impact.
“The plans to take the capabilities at the MIF to a new level, through accelerating the use of AI to drive materials discovery, are inspiring, and we look forward to working in partnership to turn this into reality.”
https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/03/10/investment-minister-visits-university/