Where thinking joins up “It is all about creative interactions between science and business. You get innovation when great universities, leading-edge science, world-class companies and entrepreneurial start-ups come together. Where they cluster together you get ferment which drives a modern dynamic economy.” George Osborne, Chancellor (Royal Society speech, Nov 2012)

Sharing information and learning is the key to success in the global knowledge economy. Our proposal to create a Knowledge Quarter (KQ) in the area around King’s Cross, St Pancras, Euston and Bloomsbury will create a vibrant business and knowledge hub for the 21st century bringing together institutions and businesses that have knowledge at their heart. KQ will link world centres of excellence in science, research and culture, enhancing opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and networking. It will underpin Following detailed discussions and feedback from over 30 organisations, we have drawn up proposals to make the idea a reality.

“This small area is home to one of the biggest concentrations of knowledge organisations in the world. Let’s shout about it. The Knowledge Quarter will put our combined resources on the map.”

“When the University of the Arts London moved Central Saint Martins to Kings Cross in 2011 we expected that the combination of over 4,500 creative and academic institutions would deliver new collaborations. That is indeed already happening and the launch of the Knowledge Quarter will give real impetus to these initiatives.” Nigel Carrington, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London “People and ideas are the beating heart of this dynamic part of London. The Knowledge Quarter will enable us to build on thriving connections between our world-class institutions, local businesses and communities.” Mike Cooke, Chief Executive, Camden Council

Creating a hub for the knowledge economy The area around King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations is a gateway to the most valuable commodity of the 21st century – knowledge. Just as the great Victorian railway engineers built a revolutionary transport hub for people and goods in this part of London, and South Kensington was the knowledge hub of the 19th century, so the Knowledge Quarter will establish an interchange for creative ideas, research and innovation: a centre for the knowledge economy in the 21st century. Within a one-mile radius (approximately 10–12 minute walk) is a remarkable cluster of organisations spanning research, higher education, science, art, culture and media. Individually they offer resources for specialists in numerous fields, from architecture and the arts to biotechnology and veterinary science. Together they represent a concentration of knowledge and expertise to rival any in the world. What links them all is a focus on the advancement and dissemination of knowledge for research, inspiration, growth, creativity and enjoyment. KQ will bring together over 30 cultural, research, scientific, business and academic institutions large and small under one umbrella, positioning the area as a unique area in the knowledge economy. It will create a recognisable brand that will resonate with all kinds of knowledge seekers, whether prospective visitors, UK and overseas students or other knowledgebased institutions and businesses. It will focus crucial support for the innovation, ideas and entrepreneurial culture that the knowledge economy needs. KQ will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff and users of crossdisciplinary communities to exchange ideas, expertise and evidence. Developing networks to encourage collaborative projects, secondment opportunities, training, commissioned research and access to funding will engage a wide variety of audiences and benefit the local research community. Just as St Pancras International has become a new gateway to Europe, so KQ will become synonymous in the public mind as the gateway to knowledge. Instead of making isolated visits to one institution people will be inspired and informed to take advantage of all the resources the area has to offer. Adopting a joined-up approach will make it easier to find what they require for their business or research – or to discover sheer inspiration from a wealth of world-renowned cultural resources.

The right time, the right place Now is the right time to establish the Knowledge Quarter. This area of London is developing rapidly, building on its huge potential as a centre for research, knowledge and enterprise. Many organisations and entrepreneurs are moving in, joining major institutions ranging from the British Library and the British Museum to small ones such as Impact Hub King’s Cross, The Place and The School of Life. Regeneration on a massive scale promises to boost the local economy. Already the University of the Arts London has established Europe’s largest specialist arts and design university with a significant presence in the neighbourhood. The Francis Crick Institute is constructing a worldleading biomedical research centre north of St Pancras that will accommodate around 1,400 scientists and The Wellcome Trust has pioneered research into human and animal health for many decades. Creating opportunities for greater cross fertilisation between science and the arts is just one way that KQ will create value and help to position the area as a leading research hub. All these new developments build on the area’s traditional strengths as a centre for research. UCL, a global research leader across many scientific disciplines, is just one of the longestablished institutions here. A wealth of research and higher education excellence is found in institutions as diverse as the School of African and Oriental Studies, the University of London Institutes and FutureLearn, to name but a few. And with the technology giant Google moving its UK headquarters to King’s Cross, KQ has an opportunity to build on this proliferation of knowledge-based institutions in the coming years.

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Supporting the economy KQ will be a magnet for creative talent and enterprise. It has already attracted interest from local and national government and prospective investors and funders in much the same way as Silicon Roundabout has raised the profile of web-based companies elsewhere in London. The GLA and Camden Council are among those backing the proposal, which supports existing business, regeneration and community initiatives in the local area. The key qualification for membership is a focus on organisations that create and disseminate knowledge. KQ will strengthen dialogue and interaction between partners by identifying opportunities for collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange. It will foster interchange of ideas and learning within industry, academia, research and culture, thereby helping to drive innovation. Member organisations will exchange information and learning. They will have opportunities to work together on joint initiatives to enhance the local area and make the best use of limited resources by pooling or sharing facilities. The KQ team will partner closely with the King’s Cross Business Partnership, which is backed by Argent and leading businesses in the area.

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KQ – Q&A Aims and objectives

Becoming a member

What are the KQ’s vision, mission and objectives?

Who can join?

Our vision is a world-class knowledge and business hub for the 21st century.

Membership will be open to organisations within a one-mile radius of St Pancras that actively engage in the advancement and dissemination of knowledge.

Our mission is to make the outstanding facilities, collections and expertise of our members understood, available and used as widely as possible for the benefit of researchers, creative people, students and the whole community. Our aims and objectives are: • T  o contribute to economic development and job creation by working in partnership; • T  o facilitate knowledge exchange and identify opportunities to collaborate and achieve efficiencies between members; • T  o identify and support local environment and infrastructure projects with Camden Council, the Greater London Authority and TfL; • T  o raise awareness of the value of the Knowledge Quarter and its resources with stakeholders in government, business and the public sector; • T  o support the local community by improving access to our resources and collections; • T  o create a brand synonymous with the knowledge resources of the area. What will the benefits be? KQ will ultimately improve understanding of the world-class facilities, collections and expertise the area has to offer. • Increased advocacy and stakeholder engagement will increase the national and international profile of the KQ cluster • A recognisable B2B brand will attract job creation and stimulate innovation and growth • Demonstration of the increased value of public bodies working across disciplines and sectors and with the private sector • Knowledge exchange and greater collaboration will create partnership projects between organisations • Demonstrable partnerships and cross-sector initiatives leading to greater long-term investment • Improvements to local infrastructure and transport will benefit employees and visitors to the area • Deep interaction and tangible alliances with local communities.

Why work together? Ninety-five per cent of those surveyed as part of our research agreed that KQ would help “to connect academic, scientific, cultural and commercial organisations to promote access to knowledge, support creativity and stimulate growth for the benefit of the local area and society at large”. Eighty-one per cent agreed with “engaging the local community to provide greater access to knowledge”, highlighting our responsibility to facilitate this access for our two local boroughs. Will the group have a clear identity? Ninety-five per cent of survey respondents agreed with this statement of identity: "A partnership of cultural, scientific, academic and cultural organisations that have a role to play within the knowledge economy (of the area) and believe that collaboration breeds greater knowledge. We will work with and for a broad range of audiences, from the users of separate institutions to visitors to the area". How do we define “knowledge”? Eighty-six per cent of survey respondents agreed with the definition of knowledge as information and intelligence held by the partnership of organisations. They see the value of collaborating for the application of knowledge for economic and social benefit.

Making the idea work How will KQ be structured and managed? The KQ will be run as an unincorporated association governed by its Members. KQ’s founding members are the British Library, the lead partner, and the University of the Arts London. We are governed by a board of nine organisations supported by a steering group representing the whole membership. The other board members are the British Museum, UCL, the Guardian, Art Fund, The Royal College of GPs, the Wellcome Trust and Camden Council. A steering group, reporting into the Board, will ensure every organisation has a chance to air its views. We will also establish sub-groups as needed to focus on specific programmes and activities. A Project Manager will develop a strategic plan and detailed KPIs in consultation with the Board and Steering Group. As the host organisation, the British Library will provide KQ with administrative support and accommodation for the Project Manager and team. 4

How much will this cost to run? We envisage that it will cost £150–200k to pay for the full-time Project Manager and team, execute branding, fund website development and carry out a small number of joint initiatives. This money will come from membership subscriptions – see below. What will membership cost? In our survey, nearly half of respondents indicated that they would be prepared to pay up to £1k. More than 20% were prepared to pay £5k–£10k. We may also be able to seek additional funding from trusts and foundations and individual members may choose to invest additional money in specific projects. The proposed scale of membership fees is based on employees in this area: Organisation size Membership fee 5,000–10,000 staff 3,000–5,000 staff 1,000–3,000 staff 500–1,000 staff 100–500 staff Under 100 staff Under 10 staff

£20k £15k £10k £8k £2k £1k £500

What legal structure will be adopted? In the first instance it is recommended that the legal structure for the KQ will be an unincorporated association governed by a partnership agreement. As a Founding Member, the British Library will, initially be responsible for hiring staff, entering into contracts and undertaking any administrative functions that may be required. The British Library shall enter into any transactions required, for the benefit of the Partnership, in its own name. As the Partnership develops and seeks to enter into more complex transactions, at a later stage, the Members may wish to consider changing its structure to an incorporated company, such as a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee, so as to further mitigate personal liability.

Working in partnership How will KQ work with the King’s Cross Business Partnership?

• Taking part in long-term initiatives such as infrastructure projects, road safety and other matters in the public realm with Camden, TfL and the GLA. • Raising awareness of local initiatives and occasions such as networking and stakeholder events. Businesses that are already part of the KXBP may also wish to become members. How will KQ work with Camden Council? Camden’s role includes bridging connections with local politicians, acting as an enabler and facilitator, giving marketing support and making connections with the creative industries and other useful networks. We will be able to work together to harness and exchange ideas about what is already going on in the area and provide a conduit into the Council. We share their aim to make improvements in local infrastructure and facilities that will attract visitors, students and new businesses to the area.

Next steps What will the KQ’s projects be? KQ will develop networks to encourage collaborative projects, secondment opportunities, training, commissioned research and access to funding. We will engage with a wide variety of audiences and benefit the local research community. We’ve picked up on ideas from experts who tell us that economic growth and wellbeing depend on having spaces to interact and share ideas. They highlight the agglomeration effect of cities, and the benefits of establishing innovation districts that create links between organisations in both the public and private sector. KQ is designed to be a cross-disciplinary community. We will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between specialists in numerous different fields, providing opportunities for staff and users to exchange ideas, expertise and evidence. This is just the beginning. Like knowledge itself, KQ won’t stand still. We will constantly seek new ways to work together for the benefit of our partners, knowledge seekers and the whole of society.

A close working relationship is essential between KQ and KXBP, whose activities overlap in some respects although they have distinct aims. There is scope for collaboration in a number of key areas: • J  oint advocacy to raise the area’s profile with government and stakeholders. • Co-branding to convey a clear message to users. • C  ollaborative opportunities for local businesses as well as between science and academic sectors.

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Survey findings More than 25 participants took part in early discussions to establish KQ’s viability. The outcome of a follow-up survey undertaken was very encouraging. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents agreed with proposed statements about the reasons for working together, the definition of knowledge and the group’s identity (see Q&A). KQ has also received positive support from Camden Council. The Council believes that the idea aligns well with its strategy and plans, including some of the ambitions in its five-year plan. The GLA has expressed an interest in the concept through its Development and Environment team as has Google, who will be moving to the area in 2016. Key local businesses that are part of the King’s Cross Business Partnership such as Argent, HS1 and Macmillan have all expressed support for the initiative.

Primary aims

Initial ideas

• The highest level of support (95%) was to create joint marketing and event initiatives. • 90% agreed with the aim of using advocacy to increase the area’s profile and members’ contribution to the economy, growth and knowledge. • 81% agreed with engaging with the local community to provide greater access to knowledge. • 67% agreed with support for infrastructural and environmental improvement in the area.

The survey canvassed support for a range of initial ideas for the first 18 months.

Secondary aims • Every respondent agreed with the secondary aim of creating connections and networks between organisations.

• 81% agreed with improving way-finding in the area. • 76% agreed with the three other most popular ideas – creating a knowledge trail between all institutions, branding the area with banners and signage and holding an open-house day.

Funding and governance • 47% of respondents were prepared to pay up to £1k for membership. 21% agreed with £5k–10k. Equal numbers (nearly 16%) supported contributions of £1k–3k and £3k–5k. • 68% agreed that members should be based within one mile of St Pancras station.

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KQ

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS

Knowledge Quarter

LONDON BIOSCIENCE INNOVATION CENTRE

Where thinking joins up

ART FUND

ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE

KINGS PLACE GOOGLE

CDEC THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE

SOMERS TOWN DEC

ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

WELLCOME TRUST

THE GUARDIAN LONDON CANAL MUSEUM

IMPACT HUB KINGS CROSS

INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

MACMILLAN

BRITISH LIBRARY FUTURELEARN

CAMDEN COUNCIL

THE PLACE WESTMINSTER KINGWAY COLLEGE

BMJ NCUB

INSTITUTE OF ISMAILI STUDIES

AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY

MRCTECH

THE SCHOOL OF LIFE

UCL

FOUNDLING MUSEUM

LUPC

Organisations further afield DESIGN COUNCIL ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS

SOAS UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

BRITISH MUSEUM

A gateway to knowledge at the heart of London Aga Khan University Art Fund British Library BMJ British Museum Camden Council Central Saint Martins CDEC Design Council Disaster Emergency Committee Foundling Museum FutureLearn The Francis Crick Institute

Google The Guardian Impact Hub Kings Cross Institute of Ismaili Studies Institute of Physics Kings Place London Bioscience Innovation Centre London Canal Museum LUPC Macmillan MRCTech NCUB

The Place Royal College of GPs Royal College of Physicians Royal Veterinary College SOAS Somers Town Community Association The School of Life UCL University of London Wellcome Trust Westminster Kingsway College

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Contact details: Miki Lentin Head of Communications The British Library 020 7412 7112 [email protected] @KQ_London www.knowledgequarter.london