Operational review: Enablers
Our enablers help us to deliver our strategy.
Our enablers comprise three key elements. The first is diversification of our revenues – a central part of our strategy to achieve financial sustainability. Secondly, we aim to provide professional support, consistent processes and appropriate technology for our staff and students. Thirdly, when pursuing new opportunities, we will engage in outside-the-box thinking, considering possibilities for innovation.
2021–22 in focus
Landmark biomedical engineering hub opens at White City
The Sir Michael Uren Hub, one of the world’s most significant centres for biomedical engineering was officially opened at our White City Campus in December 2021. The state-ofthe- art facility was made possible by a £40 million gift from alumnus Sir Michael Uren and his foundation – the most generous gift in the College’s history.
The Hub brings together over 500 engineers, clinicians and scientists to develop new and affordable medical technologies, and provides space for new partnerships and collaborations to tackle biomedical and healthcare problems. The building houses the School of Public Health’s Environmental Research Group, the world’s leading centre for the study of air pollution.
Led by Professor Frank Kelly, the Battock Chair in Community Health and Policy, the group’s research covers a wide variety of themes related to environmental pollution and its impact on human health. One of the group’s projects is the West London Healthy Home and Environment Study (WellHome), which follows 100 households in the local community to examine air quality inside and outside the home.
Driving transformative growth
Imperial and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham have launched an ambitious vision for growth in White City. The White City Innovation District is home to some of the world’s most innovative organisations, spanning life sciences, deep tech, media and the creative arts. Working together with the local community, global businesses like Novartis and Airbus are establishing the district as a major economic and cultural hotspot.
In March 2022, the District launched the next phase of its ambitious strategy of accelerated expansion with a new digital home, providing a focal point to connect a growing network of more than 100 co-located organisations, residents, businesses, education providers and community groups.
Supporting Deep Tech
Imperial’s Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship is leading an ambitious pilot project to support a vibrant deep tech ecosystem in the UK and beyond. Supported through investment from the College’s Academic Strategy Fund, the Institute aims to tackle the barriers to the successful commercialisation of fundamental science and engineering innovations.
The Institute is a collaboration between Imperial’s four academic faculties and the Enterprise division. Its pilot programme, which began in January 2022, offers targeted support and access to specialist facilities to nine commercial projects, ranging from low carbon concrete to antibiotic discovery.