This activity aims to bring together triple helix partners (industry, academia, and government) to collaboratively establish the West Midlands Health Technologies Cluster (WMHTC) North Star and Action Plan – its Vision, Mission, and Action Lines.
This work will help build a new partnership-based strategy for the cluster, strengthen collaboration, and align stakeholders behind a shared purpose.
Workshop 1 of 3: Insight & Evidence Session
Rather than critiquing the current Vision/Mission (which may dilute engagement), this session will:
- Present an evidence base drawing on known exemplars, existing WMHTC materials, and mapped ecosystem insights.
- Enable participants to identify the implications of this evidence for WMHTC’s future direction.
- Surface strategic opportunities, challenges, and areas of shared importance.
Purpose: Build a common understanding and create momentum for genuine cocreation.
If you are a senior leader or decision maker working within industry, government or academia, and would like to attend this event, please email: [email protected].
*Please note: Places are limited.
For information around workshop 2 click here.
For information around workshop 3 click here.
Each Workshop to be facilitated by Alison Partridge – Head of Inclusive Economy at Newable
Alison leads the design and delivery of programmes that create meaningful opportunities for local communities and support the development of fair, resilient, and innovative local economies.
She is an experienced and adaptable economic development professional with deep expertise in inclusive enterprise, entrepreneurship, and place‑based growth across UK and European cities. Over her 35+ year career, she has worked at the intersection of policy, partnerships, and programme delivery, co‑creating and securing funding for initiatives that respond to complex and evolving socio‑economic contexts.
Alison has played a prominent role within Europe’s Cities Knowledge Exchange and Learning Programmes, leading multiple networks of EU cities committed to building inclusive, knowledge‑based economies. Her work has centred on enabling knowledge exchange, strengthening collaboration, and supporting stakeholders to co‑create local action plans.
In 2016, Alison co‑founded OneTech, a catalyst for inclusion in the startup ecosystem, which equips underserved communities with the networks, skills, and confidence to start and grow businesses. Between 2023 and 2025, she co‑led London’s Inclusive Health & Life Sciences Coalition, bringing together eight central London local authorities and MedCity to broaden access, investment, and opportunities across the sector. From 2024 to 2026, she also supported Tech SY stakeholders to co‑create an ambitious action plan to expand the region’s tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.
To find out more on the WMHTC click here
