The £3m electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (EKTN) is to be a key way for firms to obtain Government funding as Ashley Evans is appointed CEO of the network.

Funding schemes such as the Government’s Technology Programme could be accessed through the EKTN when it starts in February.

“KTNs are there to help companies work together to access this kind of funding and I would urge everyone to register and engage with it because if you don’t engage, you can’t access this type of product so the KTN is quite an important area,” said Charlie Lane, sector advisor for the SouthWest Regional Development Agency. “The KTN is the influencer rather than the gatekeeper.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the sector to take centre stage and really demonstrate how electronics is the enabling technology,” said Evans. “This network will be the platform where firms will be able to learn, collaborate, find market opportunities and collaborative partners. Our doors open officially on February 1. In the meantime we’ll be working to appoint our advisory team and set up our infrastructure.”

This is vital for smaller companies, commented Dr Chris McArdle, managing director of Innotec. “The EKTN has a massive and important task to do in providing an ‘inclusive’ network that can help meet the needs of the UK electronics sector, and particularly the needs of the large number of small companies that make up the majority of our industry,” he said.

“I am sure Ashley, as the EKTN’s CEO, will be trying to maximise the benefits that can be achieved from the funding provided by DTI. It is vital for our sector that the EKTN is successful in this task,” he added.

The employers organisation, the CBI, recently urged the Government to turn the Technology Programme into a UK version of the US Advanced Research Projects Agency with more investment to stimulate technological innovation.

“The Electronics KTN will be the primary vehicle for connecting the electronics community, stimulating collaboration, as well as engaging our academic institutions to profile the commercial benefits of their discoveries,” said David Kynaston, chairman of the EKTN.

“Ashley’s knowledge and experience of the electronics sector, gained through his experiences with both Electronics Scotland and the UK Electronics Alliance will be invaluable to the network. His commercial strength and understanding of the application of technology across market sectors will enable us to develop a network for economic growth,” continued Kynaston.