Sir Iain Gray visits BSU
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Leading innovation figure, Sir Iain Gray visits Bath Spa University projects in Bath
Wednesday, 22 April, 2026One of the UK’s most senior figures in innovation and industrial strategy has visited some of Bath Spa University’s city centre creative innovation projects this week.
Sir Iain Gray, who has a career spanning over 40 years, is a key architect of the UK’s innovation system. The first and former Chief Executive of Innovate UK, Sir Iain has deep experience in aerospace, government, and academia. Now Chair of Aerospace Bristol and Futures West Foundation, Sir Iain is focused on how regions like the West of England turn innovation into real economic growth.
Sir Iain’s visit started at BSU-backed The Studio in Palace Yard Mews in Bath, which is BSU’s city centre home for innovation, research, and enterprise, providing a space for local microbusinesses, BSU students, academics, and graduates to work on projects and ideas focused on creativity and technology. The Studio has 68 resident SMEs and freelancers, 42% of whom grew their turnover in the past 12 months, while 65% earned their living from work based at The Studio.
He met Caroline Anstey, Studio Manager, who explained how The Studio is home to a range of residents from fledgling startups to global companies, using the space to develop their ideas into sustainable tech focussed businesses. One such example was Ben Skuse from FUMB Games who explained that being a resident of the studio "was phenomenal to be able to access student and graduate talent from Bath Spa University to work as part of their global games company." Sir Iain was also treated to live audio and VR demonstrations from pianist Charlie Hooper Williams and Creative Digital Learning Advisor, Amy Stone.
Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries Kate Pullinger is the academic lead on The Studio and has overseen its development from the start. Kate said:
“The Studio is key to developing the creative technology ecosystem in Bath, connecting us with each other as well as the rest of the world.”
Later, Sir Iain walked the short distance to BSU’s city centre concept retail hub SOMER. Future Fashion Works (FFW), BSU’s flagship initiative for sustainable fashion, enterprise, and community engagement, launched SOMER in June 2025 as a live, place-based innovation environment, where new approaches to circular fashion, retail, and SME development can be tested in real time. SOMER represents the region by showcasing creations from students, graduates, staff and local brands.
He met Executive Project Manager for Future Fashion Works, Tamara Parsons-Baker and BSU graduates who work in the store, Poppi Carter and Faith McLean. Poppi, a BA Fashion Marketing and Management alum talked about the ‘challenges and resolve’ required to manage the growth of the store, which has tripled its predicted turnover in its first year. BA Fashion Design graduate Faith talked about how essential SOMER is “to bridge the gap from education to business, and how the SOMER team is supporting new brands to evolve and develop with a constant feedback loop.” Tamara explained how FFW is designed to sit between research, industry and community, translating innovation into practical, commercial or skills-based outcomes.
As Bath Spa University has just launched its ‘Strategy 2035: The Professionally Creative University for the future’ Professor Georgina Andrews, BSU’s Vice Chancellor and CEO said that Sir Iain’s visit was timely and most welcome:
“BSU set out in its 2035 strategy a shift towards a focus on professionally creative, practice-based, innovation-led education with real regional and national impact. What you’re seeing here—in The Studio and SOMER—is what that looks like when it’s happening.
“The Studio and SOMER aren’t just part of our strategy—they’re where our strategy becomes real. Both spaces are rooted in the ‘core and everyday economy’ made up of SMEs, microbusinesses, creative practitioners, and local communities, aligning directly with Sir Iain’s current focus on regional growth in the West of England. Both spaces are delivering social and economic impact, and this is what a civic university looks like when it is operational, not just strategic. Our mission is to break down barriers, support diverse learners, develop skills and expand opportunities and find ways to make innovation and growth inclusive and accessible.”
Sir Iain Gray said:
“It was an incredibly informative visit to Bath Spa University’s Bath city centre ‘professionally creative’ projects. Sometimes we overlook just what innovation strengths we have in the region, and it was an absolute delight to meet the residents of The Studio and team at SOMER. We need to shout even more loudly about the entrepreneurship and innovation happening in Bath, particularly around the fashion and creative agendas.”