Herts transforms county’s academic and business landscape with £6.88m funding

The University of Hertfordshire has shared new data showing the significant impact of Hertfordshire Futures funding in advancing key academic and business initiatives at the institute.

Since 2017, Herts has used £6.88million of Local Growth funding from Hertfordshire Futures (formerly Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) across five major projects to foster innovation, expand learning opportunities and strengthen industry partnerships. These investments, used to enhance the institute’s Enterprise Hub, sports science facilities and Degree Apprenticeship provision, have ensured that students and businesses benefit from cutting-edge facilities and resources, alongside having a wider economic and social impact across the region.

Key funded projects include:

• Enterprise Hub: The construction of Herts’ state-of-the-art business centre – known as the ‘Enterprise Hub’ - on the De Havilland campus has fostered collaboration among entrepreneurs, students, and businesses.

• Health and social work nursing simulation equipment: New, ultra advanced simulation equipment for nursing and nursing associate apprenticeships has been installed, aligned with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s new regulations.

• New Institute of Sport: Refurbishment of the Club de Havilland building to create a world-class Sports Science Centre known as The Institute of Sports is used to support various sports-related academic courses, high quality sports and life sciences research and a new Sports Management Degree Apprenticeship.

• Cybersecurity degree apprenticeships: Enhancements to the Materials Engineering Resource Centre and the Engineering Analysis Suite, plus new tools for the Cybersecurity Digital Forensics area have been made, with facilities and equipment used to support the teaching of 134 cybersecurity apprenticeships.
• Engineering apprenticeships: Funding has been used to acquire new high-tech engineering equipment, including a multi-sensor coordinate measuring machine, water cutting machine, 3D printer, and electronics upgrade tools. These have supported 87 new engineering apprenticeships.

Data has then shown that over the eight years, as well as creating and safeguarding almost 200 jobs, the new facilities have supported more than 12,000 students, almost 1,300 apprenticeships and more than 1,100 businesses.

Kate Asante, Professor of Skills and Innovation and Director of Lifelong Learning and Student Success at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “The support from Hertfordshire Futures has been transformative, enabling us to develop crucial facilities and learning environments that directly benefit students, businesses, and the wider community, alongside being instrumental in bridging the gap between education and industry.

“These projects, and the huge impact they have had, underscore the University of Hertfordshire’s commitment to academic excellence, skills development, and economic growth. We are so grateful for this partnership and remain dedicated to innovation and skills development that contributes to economic growth, business productivity and societal equity.”

One local enterprise supported with the funding is Helloface – an innovative, transparent face mask developed during the Covid pandemic to help break inclusivity barriers. Created by Dean Ezekiel, and inspired by his wife who is partially deaf, and relies on lip reading to assist when she can’t hear a person, it was through Herts’ business support that he was able to make the product commercially compliant, successfully bring it to market, and capitalise on new market opportunities. The company has since completed a contract with the Welsh government, SBRI Centre of Excellence, and NHS Wales to also develop a clear P3 half-mask respirator, helping to eliminate everyday communication struggles with the highest level of reusable protection.

Hertfordshire Futures work with businesses, government, investors, education and not-for-profit organisations to accelerate employment, enterprise and innovation. Part of the Growth and Environment directorate of Hertfordshire County Council, it is committed to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Hertfordshire with initiatives that foster economic growth, protect the environment, and build resilient communities for generations to come.

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire Futures said: “We are immensely proud of the significant impact that Hertfordshire Futures funding has had on advancing key academic and business initiatives at the University of Hertfordshire. These investments have not only enhanced the University’s learning facilities and resources but have also had a wider economic and social impact across the region.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Hertfordshire’s residents and businesses by accelerating employment, enterprise, and innovation. We look forward to continuing this partnership and driving further growth and development to create further opportunities for future generations.”

Find out more about the University of Hertfordshire’s degree apprenticeships and business support.