Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG welcomed Richard Parker, the Labour Party candidate for the Mayor of the West Midlands, to see WMG’s work on skills and innovation and to meet students, technicians and researchers who are working with West Midlands businesses to support industrial innovation and sustainability.

Following his selection for the West Midlands Mayoralty, Richard Parker is looking to develop his understanding of the West Midlands’ industrial innovation field to shape his manifesto.

Professor Robin Clark took him on a tour of WMG’s research and education facilities including the Degree Apprenticeship Centre where he had the opportunity to meet and chat to WMG apprentices and hear more about the WMG Skills Centre.

Following this, he went on to visit the real-world demo site of the track system for the Coventry Very Light Rail flagship transport project, before receiving a tour of the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) to hear more about WMG’s transport electrification projects with companies including Tata, Norton and Lotus.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Richard Parker to WMG.  

“We were pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to developing new engineering and manufacturing skills to help bridge the gap between academia and industry; and the chance to showcase our projects supporting productivity and sustainability in the region.”