Kent e-Catalogue of Innovations Launched

'Taking Innovation Forward'

The end of phase one of the Kent Year of Innovation was marked on the 13 May at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. The morning saw innovators from the public and private sector join together to celebrate the successes of the Kent Year of Innovation and launch the Kent e-Catalogue of Innovations and 'Stories of Change' book.

The event featured enlightening presentations from Peter Gilroy, Chief Executive, Kent County Council, Dr Kanes Rajah, Director at the Centre of Entrepreneurship, University of Greenwich, and Carole Barron, Director of Enterprise at the University of Kent.

Alongside reviewing the success of the past 12 months the Breakfast featured the launch of the Kent e-Catalogue of Innovations and the 'Stories of Change' book.

The first of its kind in the country, the Kent e-Catalogue of Innovations is set to inspire and encourage innovators to share their 'know-how' with other organisations. The e-Catalogue highlights a number of the great achievements from the public, private and voluntary sector thoroughout Kent.

Pioneering projects and activities include:

• a website which provides updates to the public about the air quality in Kent
• the creation of modern housing for vulnerable people
• a 'Hospital in a Box' - a compact operating room, allowing procedures to be undertaken in remote environments
• a Creative Innovation award for Students
• Gateway – a revolutionary way of delivering KCC's services to the public
• Headspace - venues for young people to socialise and encourage reading
• Kent Car Share encouraging car sharing and cutting congestion

The 'Stories of Change' book details individual journey's of innovation. Discover the highs and lows of implementing an innovative project or practice as we follow eight people from the conception of an idea to the execution of the pioneering project. 

KCC Chief Executive Peter Gilroy said: "The County should be very proud of the creative ideas that are being developed and used in business in the public and private sector to improve customer service and efficiency. The Year of Innovation is a showcase of Kent's creativity which should inspire future ideas and developments in good business practice."

To find out more about the Kent Year of Innovation contact: innovation@kent.gov.uk.

From back left to right; Janice Cullen (Greenwich Research and Development), David Butler (Canterbury Enterprise Hub), Alex Bushell (Business Entrepreneur), Kim Fletcher (Business Link Kent), Dr Kanes Rajah (University of Greenwich), Ray Wynne (Medway Enterprise Hub), Denise Harmer (University College for the Creative Arts), Marnie Summerfield-Smith (Editor, 'Stories of Change'), Peter Gilroy (KCC), Carol Patrick (KCC), Carole Barron (University of Kent), Alex King (KCC)