Work starts on UWTSD’s Innovation Matrix in Swansea – a new centre for digital innovation and enterprise

Work has commenced on the Innovation Matrix, the next phase in the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Innovation Quarter at SA1 Swansea Waterfront. 

The Innovation Matrix is central to the University’s ambition in Swansea and will provide a new platform for UWTSD’s research and knowledge exchange to connect with, and support cross-sector MNEs, SMEs, micro-enterprises, entrepreneurs, and investors to stimulate commercial growth for Wales’s expanding digitally empowered economy.

Funded through a strategic partnership between the University and the Swansea Bay City Deal, the Innovation Matrix will encourage and support the development of a sustainable, innovation led economy which is based upon knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of UWTSD’s Swansea and Cardiff campuses said: “The Innovation Matrix provide a vital link into the University’s wider Swansea campus, including the iQ and Y Fforwm, Technium 1 and 2, The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea Business Campus, and the Arts Quarter of Dynevor, ALEX and BBC Building.  It represents a major expansion of the University’s innovation ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to supporting economic growth and transformation in the Swansea Bay region.”

The building signals a significant step forward in the University’s net-zero carbon agenda providing 2,200 sq. m of high-quality floor space and will be situated alongside the University’s existing IQ and Y Fforwm buildings in the heart of Swansea’s Innovation Quarter. The University is working alongside architects Stride Treglown and construction company Kier to bring this exciting development to reality which will open in 2024.

Commencements events were held on the site on Wednesday and Thursday, 7 and 8th June attended by Mr Vaughan Gething MS, Welsh Government’s Minister for the Economy, the Rt. Hon. David T.C. Davies, Secretary of State for Wales, UK Government, Swansea Council leader Cll. Rob Stewart and senior officers representing the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea Bay City Deal on 7th June.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

“The Welsh Government has a clear focus on creating a stronger, fairer, greener economic future. We want Wales to be a country that’s at the forefront of innovating new technologies that will benefit people in their day-to-day lives. The Innovation Matrix has an important role to play in delivering that vision serving as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity.”

“The Innovation Matrix is an excellent example of academia and industry working closely to help drive innovation and excellence. It has the potential to unlock collective intelligence to tackle complex challenges more effectively, accelerate the pace of innovation and drive meaningful change in our society.”

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in this exciting new facility for Swansea. The UK Government is proud to invest in the Swansea Bay City Deal and help create places like this where researchers, innovators, businesses, entrepreneurs and investors can all come together and where ideas can flourish.

“Along with our partners we want to grow the digital economy in Wales and create well paid jobs for the future and spreading prosperity. And it’s places such as the Innovation Matrix that will help bring this about.”

Professor Medwin Hughes, DL, Vice-Chancellor of UWTSD added:

“The Innovation Matrix is the next phase in the University’s ambition to transform Swansea’s waterfront into a neighbourhood where people will work, study and live and where the University and its partners will collocate and collaborate. Together, we are creating new enterprise hubs and high skill accelerator schemes to grow new businesses linked to our portfolio. We are also developing the skills of current businesses and are attracting new investment into the region”.

The Venerable Randolph Thomas, Chair of the University Council concluded:  “The University’s aim is to develop our campuses across the region as impact hubs linking to national and regional priorities and ensuring that we respond to the economic and social needs of our communities. The Innovation Matrix is a key development for the University and we are grateful to be working with partners including the Swansea Bay City Deal, the Welsh Government and UK Government”.

Note to Editor

University of Wales Trinity Saint David is part of the UWTSD Group, a confederation of several institutions which includes Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion. The University of Wales is a partner of the group. The UWTSD Group offers a continuum from further to higher education for the benefit of learners, employers and communities.

UWTSD’s vision is to be a university with a commitment to the well-being and heritage of the nation at the heart of all its activities. Central to the vision is the promotion and embedding of a dual-sector educational system which educates learners of all ages and backgrounds, and stimulates economic development in the region, across Wales and beyond.

The University’s was founded in 1822 and celebrated its bicentenary in 2022. It enjoys the accolade of being the birthplace of higher education in Wales.  The University’s 1828 Royal Charter is the oldest of any university in Wales. The University’s campuses are located in Swansea Carmarthen, Lampeter, Cardiff, London and Birmingham.

UWTSD is committed to placing students at the centre of its mission by providing a relevant and inspiring bilingual curriculum, providing a supportive learning environment, investing in its campuses and facilities, and ensuring that students, from all backgrounds, are given the opportunity to achieve their potential.  

The Swansea Bay City Deal is an investment of up to £1.3 billion in a portfolio of major programmes and projects across the Swansea Bay City Region, which is being funded by the UK Government, Welsh Government, public sector and the private sector. Over the 15-year lifespan of the portfolio, the City Deal will boost the regional economy by at least £1.8 billion, while generating over 9,000 jobs. The Swansea Bay City Deal is being led by the four regional local authorities – Carmarthenshire Council, Swansea Council, Neath Port Talbot Council and Pembrokeshire Council – together with the Swansea Bay University and Hywel Dda University Health Boards, Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and private sector partners.

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071