QUB secures £6.5 million for supply chain initiative
23 Oct 2024
Queen's University Belfast has secured £6.25 million funding from UK Research and Innovation, to model and re-imagine supply chains across the UK in the areas of food, critical minerals, and fashion.
The project is part of UKRI’s Building a Secure and Resilient World strategic theme, QUB’s work will be led by Dr Hangfei Guo, Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management from Queen’s Business School. It will be based in Momentum One Zero (M1.0), one of several data-driven innovation centres being delivered by the university under the Belfast Region City Deal, aimed at driving inclusive innovation across the region.
President and vice-chancellor of Queen’s, Professor Sir Ian Greer said the award would be transformative in tackling supply chain resilience to future proof a critical area and fostering collaboration across the university, with academic, industry and government partners.
Economy minister for the devolved Northern Ireland Executive Conor Murphy stated: “Strong and resilient supply chains are vital to industry, health and our economy. The aim of this project is to build strong local supply chains, so we are more able to withstand global challenges.
“It is a great example of academia and business working together and supported by government to find solutions to real problems.”
He said the project will draw on capability provided through one of the new City & Growth Deals investments, to develop knowledge and skills that will benefit our economy long beyond the life of this project.
Principal investigator Guo commented that the initiative – titled the ‘ReImagining Supply Chains Network Plus (RiSC+)’ – would bring together a vast network of experts to collaborate on “the complex systems of the UK’s fashion, critical mineral and food supply chains”.
“Our project will also offer evidence that exposes vulnerabilities, remedies current risks and demonstrates future potential, ultimately helping to empower the UK to move towards more resilient and secure supply chains," said Guo
The project will support collaboration with a range of partners including Ulster Derby, Nottingham Trent, Plymouth and Reading universities, plus the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). They will work alongside regionally based companies such as Moy Park (Mid & South West), Foods Connected (North West), and Coca-Cola (Lisburn). A flexible fund will also enable a wider range of companies to engage with RiSC+.
Pic: Eilis Garvey
