The Mayor’s big ideas challenge continues to support West Yorkshire to tackle deeply rooted health inequalities in the region.
Here we speak with judge Sarah Bowes who offers a unique perspective on how innovation can transform regional outcomes and why the voices of communities must be central to that journey. She reflects on the importance of cognitive diversity, the power of mission-led innovation, and the strengths that make West Yorkshire such a vibrant place for new ideas to flourish. Sarah Bowes is an experienced policy and strategy professional with a strong track record in public-sector economic development. As Head of Business at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, she leads work that supports the region’s economic growth and innovation ambitions. Her career spans policy design, strategy development and implementation across a range of public-sector and political organisations in West Yorkshire, giving her deep insight into the region’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. Here, she shares her insights on why cognitive diversity is so important.
What does being part of the Mayor’s big ideas challenge mean to you?
Being uniquely positioned as a judge, and as having set the strategic direction for the original concept of the Mayor’s big ideas challenge, and now having the privilege to be part of the judging panel, I am honoured to be seeing this through from start to finish.
Quite often in policy making, you see the origins and the development but not the final execution and impact. What is particularly inspirational is seeing the ideas and innovations that will genuinely have an impact – driving economic growth and changing lives and outcomes for people across the regions of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, and beyond.
Why is it important to bring together people from different sectors and communities to address complex issues?
People who are going to benefit or use new products or services have to be involved in the development of those, otherwise you risk significant unintended consequences. That’s why cognitive diversity is so important – getting different voices and different backgrounds when developing new innovations is key.
The new West Yorkshire innovation board that is being set up is deliberately a quadruple helix, bringing together industry, academia, the public sector, and community representatives to ensure innovation is inclusive.
How does innovation assist regions such as West Yorkshire in flourishing and growing?
Innovation is one of the biggest drivers of improving productivity to drive economic growth and prosperity for all. Developing West Yorkshire as a centre of innovation excellence will showcase the fantastic innovation assets, activity and businesses driving change.
”Cognitive diversity is so important – getting different voices and different backgrounds when developing new innovations is key.”
What in the long-term would you like this challenge to achieve in the region?
I hope it provides inspiration for what can be achieved through innovation. I hope it demonstrates what can be achieved through a mission led approach. And, mostly I hope it delivers some tangible innovations that go on to support health outcomes across the region – impacting positively on people's lives.
How do you think community-based innovation might help to address health inequalities?
New products and services have to work for the people who are going to use them, so being people and patient centred is critical. Being part of the development of new ideas can create new trusted relationships that in turn help address health inequalities and improve health outcomes.
What makes West Yorkshire a truly wonderful place for new ideas to grow?
West Yorkshire is a hotbed of innovation underpinned by a supportive and connected community. We have talented people, businesses and academic strengths that, brought together, are delivering real change and impact across communities.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
