• Aston University and SuperTech WM announce strategic partnership to strengthen the region’s innovation-led economy
• Collaboration will help accelerate growth in the Business, Professional and Financial Services (BPFS) sector
• Aston University will contribute research, skills and thought leadership in areas such as AI.

Aston University and SuperTech WM have announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the region’s innovation-led economy and accelerate growth in the Business, Professional and Financial Services (BPFS) sector.

The collaboration will bring together the University’s research expertise and talent with SuperTech’s network of businesses, startups, and scale-ups.

By linking academic insight with industry needs, the collaboration will boost innovation and productivity, speed up commercialisation, and support inclusive economic development across the West Midlands.

Aston University will contribute research, skills and thought leadership in areas such as AI drawing on its Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute and its recently opened Centre of Excellence for Enterprise AI. This will help SuperTech’s programmes and community shape the future of professional services innovation across the ProfTech sector, spanning FinTech LegalTech, PropTech and InsurTech.

Aston University and SuperTech WM will work together on:

• Showcasing real-world impact through applied research, such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Connecting talent with industry via guest lectures and student engagement
• Sharing market intelligence to keep businesses ahead of sector shifts and policy change
• Unlocking funding and innovation through joint bids and collaborative projects
• Growing the next generation of innovators by linking Aston researchers and students with SuperTech-led programmes.

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive of Aston University, said:

“The BPFS sector is vital to the West Midlands economy, and our partnership with SuperTech WM reflects Aston University’s commitment to driving inclusive, innovation-led growth. By uniting academic expertise with industry priorities, we can accelerate innovation, nurture entrepreneurial talent, and future-proof the region’s economy. This collaboration builds on our strong track record in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and reinforces our role in shaping the future of professional services through cutting-edge research and skills development.

“The joint venture also links to the University’s new civic agreement which reinforces its commitment to delivering inclusive growth, underpinned by targeted actions and partnerships designed to deliver measurable impact across the region.

“By adopting the ‘triple helix’ approach, bringing together universities, industry, and civic partners, we can extend that reach further. Working with SuperTech WM enables us to strengthen innovation capacity, support entrepreneurial growth, and ensure our students and researchers contribute to a thriving regional economy.”
Hilary Smyth-Allen, CEO of SuperTech WM, said:

“The West Midlands has an extraordinary opportunity to establish itself as the UK’s leading hub for technology-led innovation in professional and financial services. SuperTech’s programmes have already delivered excellent results across multiple dimensions of inclusivity, from widening access to talent pathways, to supporting underrepresented founders, and delivering collaborative innovation across the sector. Partnering with Aston University will amplify this impact, aligning world-class research with the skills and opportunities our ecosystem needs now and in the future.”

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to future-proofing the West Midlands economy, ensuring businesses can access the expertise, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive.