Recently published in the Chamber Magazine 'Connected'
Work at North West Regional College, growing skills and driving innovation, has been given the Royal Seal of Approval.
The college’s Business Support Team were recently presented with The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, the highest national honour awarded to UK colleges and universities.
Awarded every two years, the prize recognises outstanding work at the highest level. Previous recipients include Oxford University, University of Edinburgh and Queen’s University Belfast.
His Majesty King Charles presented the award to NWRC’s Governing Body Chair Professor Malachy O’Neill, NWRC Principal and Chief Executive Leo Murphy, Finance Director Patrick McKeown, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards Dr Catherine O’Mullan and Business Support Centre Manager, Dr. Fergal Tuffy at a special ceremony in London.
During the event the college’s Business Support Centre team was commended for its excellence, innovation and impact, and for delivering real public benefit.
This award is significant recognition for a team who have dedicated their work over the past decade to delivering results for small and medium enterprises and large organisations. This is a team where actions speak louder than words – working strategically while maintaining a strong personal focus with all of their clients.
Since its inception in 2015, NWRC’s Business Support Centre has grown from one small office to a unique suite of five innovation centres dedicated to supporting businesses to develop skills, foster innovation and drive applied research.
The five industry-focused innovation centres are:
- Food and drink innovation (Foodovation)
- Healthcare and assisted living (Design Innovation for Assisted Living)
- Advanced manufacturing, materials and engineering (Product Design Centre)
- Augmented, virtual and extended reality (XR)
- Automation, robotics and 5G technologies (industry 4.0)
Clients include Braidwater Homes, Broighter Gold and travel car seat company BubbleBum.
Dr Fergal Tuffy, Business Support Centre Manager said: “The team is honoured to receive this award, and is recognition of the significant contribution made by the Business Support Centre in strengthening and supporting the regional economy.
“Our centre is unique within the UK’s further education sector. In the past year, the NWRC has completed more than 140 applied research and development projects through these centres, helping SMEs innovate and grow by developing new products, processes and services. The College has also trained more than 1,000 individuals, including business employees, who received upskilling, and individuals who were trained in priority skills areas for new opportunities.
“I would like to thank all the staff within the Business Support Centre for their hard work and commitment which has led to this success, and to our senior leadership team for supporting our strategic vision.
“It is our plan to continue to move forward, continuing to innovate and evolve and we are planning for the future via Peace Plus, the Derry City & Strabane City Deal and an extension of Foodovation™ with our new Foodovation™ and Skills centre in Limavady through the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s Growth Deal, the Financial Deal contract for this Growth Deal was signed at a ceremony held at the College’s Main Street, Limavady campus on 29 April”
Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of NWRC said: “This award is welcome as it recognises our sector as one that makes a significant collective impact on the lives of our citizens and businesses.
“Our Business Support Centre staff consistently rise to the challenge, always flexible, adaptable and 100% committed to any task that has been set. Our team consists of a wide range of experts in a range of fields that include food and drink, robotics, augmented reality, healthcare and product design.
“This is a huge honour for North West Regional College, an organisation that has a long history in delivering for businesses across the region through skills development and innovation. I have spoken with many of the clients of the centres who consistently tell me about the differences our team of experts have made to their businesses by improving productivity, innovation and creativity.
“It is our privilege to work so closely with these enterprises and watch them succeed. My congratulations to our entire team on this hugely significant accolade.”
NWRC is part of the 2025 cohort of award winners which saw applications from more than 100 institutions.
