This blog explores the impact of the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI), looking at its role in creating collaboration between universities, businesses, and policymakers to drive regional economic growth.
The West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI) was created in response to a need in the region for a more collaborative, evidence-based approach to economic development, explored in the recent WMREDI Story report.
This initiative, which included looking at themes like the “theory of place”, driven by a “theory of change,” has played an important role in addressing the region’s unique challenges, such as the gaps in university-based research and the need for more localized, actionable economic strategies. The establishment of WMREDI marks an important chapter in the region’s growth story, creating a new framework for knowledge exchange, regional collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
The Need for WMREDI
The West Midlands region faced a significant gap in translating academic research into practical policy interventions that could foster economic growth. This gap was particularly apparent in the disconnect between university-based research and regional stakeholders, including businesses and public sector organizations.
A platform that could bring together universities, local authorities, businesses, and other regional partners to collaborate on regional innovation and development efforts was clearly needed.
WMREDI was built to address this gap by establishing a knowledge exchange hub where academic research could meet real-world needs. Its creation was further driven by the development of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). This highlighted the necessity for a place-based policy institute that could bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice.
A Theory of Place and Change
At the heart of WMREDI’s approach is the “theory of place,” which emphasizes the importance of local context in driving economic growth and development. The West Midlands, with its diverse economy and distinct challenges, required a tailored approach that considered local assets, challenges, and opportunities. By focusing on the unique dynamics of the region, WMREDI aimed to foster growth through a localized understanding of economic and social factors.
Early Partnerships
The journey to WMREDI’s creation began with the formation of the City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI) in 2015, backed by a £4.3 million investment from the University of Birmingham.
Initially based within Birmingham Business School, City-REDI looked at understanding urban economic growth and bridging the gap between academic research and policy.
The establishment of WMREDI followed shortly aftter, with funding from Research England. This allowed the initiative to expand its reach, involving universities across the region and other key partners. The result was a collaborative, multi-university effort that focused on addressing the region’s specific economic challenges, such as productivity, skills development, and inclusive growth.
The WMREDI Model
WMREDI’s operating model is built on collaboration, shared governance, and trust. The institute brought together key regional partners, including local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), local authorities, universities, and businesses, all contributing funding or in-kind support. One of the most innovative aspects of WMREDI’s structure is the collaboration agreement, which enabled seamless partnerships across multiple stakeholders. This agreement facilitated the pooling of resources, data sharing, and commissioning of joint projects, simplifying what would otherwise be a complicated process of inter-organizational cooperation.
The Research England funding also provided a physical hub for WMREDI at The Exchange in Birmingham, a centrally located building that served as a focal point for collaboration. This space allowed partners to meet, exchange ideas, and engage in policy workshops, further enhancing WMREDI’s ability to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise.
Key Achievements
WMREDI’s early successes were rooted in its ability to align academic research with regional needs. The institute focused on developing tools for evaluating and promoting innovation, conducting comparative benchmarking to assess the strengths and weaknesses of UK regions, and providing policy inputs to shape local strategies.
WMREDI also prioritized the development of skills in technology commercialization, business innovation, and non-commercial innovations aimed at improving public services and health.
One of the central achievements of WMREDI has been its contribution to the development of the Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) for the West Midlands. In consultation with regional partners, the institute helped identify key sectors for economic growth and supported the development of targeted interventions to improve productivity, skills, and infrastructure in the region. As part of the LIS, WMREDI also played a critical role in the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, conducting research that informed policy decisions and regional resilience efforts.
Challenges and Adaptations
Regional funding pressures, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, meant that many of the traditional funding streams began to shrink. This necessitated a shift in approach, where WMREDI increasingly focused on one-off commissioned projects, collaborative bidding, and national and international partnerships.
Despite these challenges, WMREDI was able to adapt and continue to provide valuable support to the region. Its flexibility allowed it to remain engaged with local stakeholders and respond to emerging needs, such as conducting policy reviews and statistical analyses.
Looking to the Future
As of early 2024, WMREDI’s funding from Research England has come to an end. However, the lessons learned from its experiences have provided a solid foundation for continued collaboration. City-REDI, now a part of the University of Birmingham’s efforts, continues to deliver policy-relevant research and maintain its strong civic engagement.
WMREDI’s legacy lies in its successful demonstration of how collaboration across multiple stakeholders—government, universities, and business—can drive meaningful change in regional economic development. By blending academic expertise with local policy knowledge, WMREDI helped to strengthen the region’s economic resilience, improve its innovation capacity, and lay the groundwork for future growth.
In the future, the lessons from WMREDI can serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, showcasing the importance of local leadership, collaboration, and knowledge exchange in driving sustainable and inclusive growth.
Find out more and download the WMREDI Story
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI, WMREDI or the University of Birmingham.