Dr Jessica Bruce of Run3D today receives £50,000 and a yearlong package of bespoke support, coaching and marketing as part of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation competition. Dr Bruce is one of nine women receiving the funding which will be used to develop each of their pioneering inventions.

From 3D gait analysis to responsive wheelchair seating, the nine successful inventors are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing society as set out in the UK Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. Addressing the issue of our ageing society, Dr Bruce’s 3D gait analysis can delay the need for surgery and reduce joint discomfort, helping to improve people’s lives and the country’s productivity.

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said:

There is no better time to recognise the success of Dr Jessica Bruce than on International Women’s Day. Her pioneering innovation in 3D gait analysis, known to be the most accurate way of diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries in runners/walkers, puts Wales at the forefront of cutting edge technology and highlights the skill of Welsh women.

The £50,000 UK Government funding will allow Run3D to develop their inventions, making sure we are better prepared to support our ageing society and fulfil the aims of our modern Industrial Strategy. We will continue to support innovators such as Dr Bruce who are working to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in the industries of the future.

Marking the outstanding contributions to innovation, Innovate UK has commissioned commemorative plaques recognising each of the award holder’s successes. The purple plaque, installed in Aberaeron Comprehensive School in West Wales, honours the beginning of Dr Bruce’s innovation journey, inspiring young innovators and communities alike.

Innovate UK Executive Chair Dr Ian Campbell said:

Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards address a key barrier for diversity in innovation – a lack of female role models. By recognizing their achievement with purple plaques, we are making sure that our nine newly crowned winners inspire the next generation of female innovators.

Whether it’s inspiring young students showing a passion for STEM, someone with the spark of an idea, or an innovative business ready to be taken to the next level, the Women in Innovation 2019 campaign aims to drive long term, far reaching positive change.

Run3D Managing Director, Dr Jessica Bruce said:

The opportunity to be a role-model is really exciting. I’m looking forward to using the platforms provided by this award to share my story and inspire other women in business innovation and STEM.

Supporting female innovators is a key commitment of Innovate UK, and registrations for funding from female innovators on existing competitions have increased by 70% since 2016.

Previous winners have gone on to become ambassadors for Prince’s Trust and develop breakthrough innovations such as Carmen Hijosa, who has created a sustainable alternative to leather using pineapple leaf fibre; Elena Dieckmann, whose company produces novel products using surplus feathers from the poultry industry and Fanzi Down, who has developed a revolutionary chocolate moulding technique by industralising the process of displacement.

Welsh innovator Dr. Jessica Bruce among female innovators receiving £50,000 UK Government funding on International Women’s Day.

The Mace/Dragados joint venture will act as a Construction Partner, working with HS2 Ltd and the station designers, to coordinate the building of the new station, including platforms, concourse and links to London Underground and other rail services.

The appointment completes the roster of major contractors at Euston and marks the end of an exhaustive 19 month procurement process.

Together, the 2 firms have a track record of delivering complex and demanding infrastructure projects including Battersea Power Station (phase 2), Mumbai International Airport Terminal Two and work on delivering the Spanish high speed rail network, including the major new Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants stations.

Mace/Dragados will join HS2’s existing early works contractor, a Costain/Skanska joint venture (CSjv), who already have more than 1000 people at work across the capital carrying out work to prepare for the start of construction.

Welcoming the news, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, said:

Mace and Dragados have a strong track record of delivering some of the world’s most challenging and exciting infrastructure projects and we’re delighted that they’re joining the HS2 team as our Construction Partner for Euston.

Together, we will deliver a new landmark station that will be the London gateway to HS2, transforming the way we travel and setting new standards for design, construction and operation.

Jason Millett, COO for Consultancy at Mace, on behalf of the Mace/Dragados joint venture said:

Today’s contract signing marks the start of a close partnership that will last over a decade and transform one of the capital’s most important stations beyond recognition.

The successful delivery of the new Euston Station for HS2 is not only important for residents of Camden and London, but it will improve capacity, reliability and journey times for millions of people travelling from the Midlands and the North of England every year.

Combining Mace’s unbeatable knowledge of major infrastructure project delivery in the UK with Dragados’s world-class high speed rail expertise we are assembling one of the highest calibre teams in the country to deliver this bold and ambitious vision for Euston.

At Euston, demolitions are already well underway, with the former carriage sheds north of the station and site of the tunnel portals, cleared last year. The first tower cranes arrived in January to assist with the demolition of the two 1970s towers at the front of the station, while the demolition of the disused former National Temperance Hospital and IBIS hotel is now almost complete.

Alongside demolitions, CSjv are also delivering ecological work and utility diversions, as well as the project’s pioneering archaeological programme across the southern section of the route.

Once complete, HS2 will more than double capacity at Euston to deal with increasing passenger demand while freeing up space on the west coast mainline for more freight and commuter services to places like Watford and Milton Keynes.

Twin bore tunnels will take the high speed trains west to a new Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common and onward to Ruislip on the edge of London. After leaving the tunnelled section, the line heads up to the West Midlands and the North.

In February 2018, HS2 Ltd, on behalf of the Department for Transport and Network Rail, appointed Lendlease to develop a masterplan for the wider Euston site, which could support up to 14,000 new jobs and almost 4,000 new homes, as well as shops, cafes and public spaces.

HS2 services will connect over 25 destinations and 30 million people across the UK. Trains will serve existing city centre stations in places like Glasgow and Liverpool, as well as brand new purpose built stations in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and the East Midlands.

HS2 Ltd and a Mace/Dragados team today signed contracts to deliver the high speed rail project’s landmark terminus at London Euston.

Five new disability champions have been appointed by the government to ensure businesses are not forgetting about their disabled customers.