18.03.26, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult has today announced a new collaboration with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

A memorandum of understanding outlining areas where the organisations will seek to work together was signed to coincide with the Connected Places Summit by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, and the Catapult’s CEO, Erika Lewis.

Teams from SYMCA and Connected Places Catapult will now work to develop detailed proposals for a number of initiatives at strategic locations. This will include work to support technology demonstrations, testbeds, and real-world technology trials, with a focus on the transport and construction industries.

Locations already identified include:

• Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, which is poised to become a hub for innovation in Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
• The M1/M18 strategic corridor, which is increasingly important for freight and logistics.
• A series of strategic development sites, where there is an opportunity to cluster businesses focussed on industrialised methods of construction and materials innovation.

Beyond this, the two teams are developing region-wide initiatives to support the net zero transition and improve transport system integration.

Speaking just ahead of the Connected Places Summit in London, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “We’re getting on with the job of building a bigger, better economy for South Yorkshire. But we can’t deliver the future we want without helping businesses to scale and grow.

“South Yorkshire is home to world leading companies across a range of industries, with huge opportunities ahead of us - not least around the world’s first and best Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District at the AMRC. Bringing exciting businesses together, while supporting them to develop their ideas, their services and their products, will make a real difference to our economy and to everyone here who wants to stay near and go far in South Yorkshire.

“By working with Connected Places Catapult, we are opening a new chapter for innovation in South Yorkshire - unlocking growth, driving new opportunities, and helping our region reach its full potential.”

Oliver Coppard, Mayor, South Yorkshire

“South Yorkshire has a huge opportunity to capitalise on a new wave of innovation-led growth. This collaboration strengthens the foundations to make that happen by leveraging strategic assets and building capacity for the region to enable innovative businesses to scale.

“Together, we are focussing on the high-growth sectors that keep the country moving and building. South Yorkshire is becoming a major hub for high potential businesses in transport and construction to raise investment and grow.”

Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult