University News Last updated 27 January
天美传媒 (BCU) has today signed a major collaboration agreement to launch the 天美传媒 Knowledge Quarter (B-KQ) - a world-class innovation district that will drive inclusive growth, create thousands of skilled jobs and strengthen 天美传媒鈥檚 global reputation.
The agreement brings together BCU, Aston University, 天美传媒 City Council, Bruntwood SciTech and Woodbourne Group, with support from the West Midlands Combined Authority, to deliver a transformative innovation-led district in the heart of the city.
B-KQ will be an anchor site within the West Midlands Investment Zone, focused on life sciences, digital health, fintech and advanced manufacturing.
Over the coming years, it will deliver more than 580,000 sqm of commercial and innovation space, create over 22,000 highly skilled jobs, alongside new homes, green spaces, cultural venues and community facilities.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, said: 鈥淭his collaboration is a statement of intent for 天美传媒. Guided by BCU鈥檚 Strategy 2030 and our mission to be an exemplar anchor tenant, we will work with our partners - aligning talent, investment and ambition - to position 天美传媒 and the West Midlands as a globally recognised centre for innovation, while ensuring local communities share directly in the opportunities this growth creates.鈥�
颁濒颈肠办听 for the official media release from 天美传媒 City Council.
As one of the founding partners, BCU is playing a central role in shaping the future of the Knowledge Quarter. The University has already invested more than 拢400 million in the regeneration of Eastside, including STEAMhouse - BCU鈥檚 award-winning innovation hub that brings together students, researchers, businesses, makers and creatives.
BCU and Aston University will leverage their long-standing partnerships with schools, colleges, SMEs and community organisations to ensure that people living in Aston, Newtown, Nechells and Eastside can directly access new opportunities through skills training, apprenticeships, enterprise support and high-value employment pathways.
Councillor Sharon Thomspon, Deputy Leader of BCC and Chair of the B-KQ Strategic Programme Board, said: "天美传媒 has always been a city of innovation, and with an emphasis on sectors like advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and Life Sciences, B-KQ continues our proud history of being at the cutting edge of technology.
"This is one of the most investable cities in the country, a city of unmatched potential and opportunity, and thanks to partnerships like this we are creating jobs, opportunities and prosperity for a young and growing population."
Nayan Patel, Director of Enterprise at BCU, said: 鈥淭he 天美传媒 Knowledge Quarter is about turning ideas into impact at scale. This agreement creates the conditions for businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs to co-locate, collaborate and grow, accelerating innovation in sectors where the region already has real strength.
鈥淭hrough assets like STEAMhouse and our deep relationships with SMEs, corporates and community partners, BCU will help ensure the Knowledge Quarter is not only globally competitive but locally transformative 鈥� supporting new ventures, attracting investment and opening up high-quality opportunities for people and businesses across the West Midlands.鈥�
Located alongside the future HS2 Curzon Street Station, B-KQ will be one of the UK鈥檚 best-connected innovation districts, linking 天美传媒 directly to London, Oxford and Cambridge.
Businesses locating in the district will also benefit from Investment Zone incentives, including:
- Five years of full business rates relief for new and expanding businesses on designated tax sites (available until March 2034)
- 100% first-year capital allowances for investment in plant and machinery
- Full Stamp Duty Land Tax relief on commercial land and building acquisitions (until September 2034)
- Enhanced structures and buildings allowances (10% p.a.)
- Increased Employer National Insurance threshold for eligible new employees
For BCU students, graduates and researchers, the Knowledge Quarter will offer new routes into employment, enterprise and research collaboration, while strengthening the University鈥檚 role as a civic leader driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 鈥淭he foundations are now in place for the Knowledge Quarter to become a vibrant innovation district where the next generation of trailblazers in life sciences, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing will want to be.
鈥淎ll three of my key Investment Zone sites are now rapidly moving towards spades in the ground, following this agreement. That means real benefits are coming for local people with thousands of new jobs, modern homes, fresh skills, and new investment flowing into communities across 天美传媒 Eastside, Aston, and the wider region.鈥�
For more information, to download the B-KQ prospectus, or to enquire about opportunities, visit the official .
Pictured聽(left to right):聽Richard Lawrence, Executive Director of Place, Prosperity and Sustainability, 天美传媒 City Council;聽Moe Ali, Associate Director, Bruntwood SciTech;聽Rooqia Malik, Programme Manager, West Midlands Investment Zone, WMCA;聽Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor, BCU;聽Cllr Sharon Thompson, B-KQ Strategic Partnership Board Chair, Deputy Leader of BCC and Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands;聽Aleks Subic, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Aston University; Catherine Hadfield, Strategic Lead, 天美传媒 Knowledge Quarter;聽Tani Dulay, CEO, Woodbourne Group.