Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder and Chairman of WMG was delighted to welcome Bernadette Kelly, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport, to WMG today (Thursday 22^nd February).

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya introduced the breadth and depth of WMG’s research, education and technology transfer activities and the long history and impact of its engagement with the automotive sector.

As part of this Lord Bhattacharyya shared his vision of the Smart Motor City, which is being built rapidly on the research strength of WMG, the can-do approach of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, major companies and innovative suppliers clustering around the new National Automotive Innovation Centre. This research strength was exemplified through visits to two unique facilities in WMG, the 3XD Simulator enabling the implementation of smart and connected vehicles, and the Energy Innovation Centre forming the foundation for the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (formerly National Battery Manufacturing Development Centre).

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said: “I was delighted to discuss with and show Bernadette the impact that WMG’s research has on industry, and society, so she could see first-hand the types of research that have made WMG world-renowned. Having strong relationships with the automotive sector we are continuing to develop relationships which will allow for the growth of the regional economy as well as research and education collaborations.”

Bernadette Kelly said ‘It was great to visit WMG and to hear directly from Lord Bhattacharyya about the huge range of its work across many sectors and technologies. The work WMG is doing on battery technology and smart and connected vehicles in particular is hugely important to the transport sector. My Department looks forward to working with the WMG and the region on the Future of Mobility, one of the Government’s Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges.’