Seven Midlands universities are now collaborating in a pioneering partnership to help drive innovation and skills.

The new Midlands Enterprise Universities group brings together Birmingham City University, Coventry University, De Montfort University Leicester, the University of Derby, the University of Lincoln, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Wolverhampton to support jobs and wealth creation in the region.

The partnership was formally launched at Birmingham City University in front of an audience of business leaders, academics and local-authority members.

A spokesman said that it brings the institutions together to create “a unique pool of skills, research, expertise and facilities”, which will be made available to businesses and local authorities to create jobs, boost economic growth and plug skills gaps across the East and West Midlands.

Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: “Despite changes at the top, the Government has made it abundantly clear how important the Midlands is to driving economic growth in this country.

“Skills and innovation will be at the heart of this, so universities must seize the opportunity to play their part in shaping the future of this region, its students and its workforce.

"Bringing together these seven institutions can only strengthen the links between the east and west of our region and ensure that we maximise our potential.”

The universities collectively contribute more than £3 billion to the region’s economy, it is claimed, and they already work with many major organisations — such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Unipart.