THE latest government-sponsored science and innovation audit has revealed that the South of England – Innovation South – is the “backbone of UK’s digital economy”.

Covering Hampshire, and stretching from Dorset to Kent and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight, Innovation South covers eight counties across southern England, with a total economic output of £225.3bn, accounting for 13.7 per cent of UK’s economic output.

The audit report released by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, presented evidence to illustrate that the Innovation South area is at the forefront of advances in digital innovations across a wide range of industrial sectors that can transform and improve our daily lives – from augmented reality devices which help train surgeons doing knee replacements to robotic submarines that are helping to combat global warming; from driverless shuttle buses to some of the fastest growing creative digital communities.

Dr Mike Short, vice-president of Telefonica Europe and chairman of Innovation South Strategic Steering Group, said: “Science and innovation audits are very important to uncover underlying sector strengths in our huge region, and to identify opportunities for better collaboration and sustainable growth across the UK.

“Now that our audit is complete, our primary focus is on following up with pragmatic steps to progress our partnership and implement its recommendations.

“We are confident that with the great support we have had from industry, universities, and Local Enterprise Partnerships, we can build on the audit to maximise opportunities for our region in the future."

Science and innovation audits demonstrate that Innovation South stands out in the UK for its expertise across a range of digital enabling technologies, including 5G, cyber security, big data, photonics and quantum.

The region’s strengths in digital enabling technologies, are commercially applied across four sectors, which include connected digital, marine and maritime, bioscience and advanced engineering.

The result is a high growth, high value and a highly successful knowledge-based regional economy, with outstanding potential for further innovation and growth – if all assets are successfully integrated.

Innovation South is seen as a “national asset” as it attracts many global corporations to locate their UK and European headquarters in the region. The area enjoys the largest share of foreign direct investment projects in the UK, outside London.