One Health is an internationally established approach which recognises that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. It also recognises that interdisciplinary collaboration - between business, Government, academia, Third Sector, finance, and the broad spectrum of innovation agencies - is needed to find solutions to the 'wicked' One Health problems. These are the complex modern problems affecting human, animal and environmental health highlighted by changes to our planetary environment, populations, agriculture, and transport flows - such as antimicrobial resistant bacteria, emerging diseases and problems surrounding food production.
Since 2019, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been exploring how to support and encourage enterprise to tackle some of these One Health wicked problems. One Health companies (those working in environmental science, agritech, aquaculture, bioscience, and public health innovation) in and around Dorset have been invited to showcase what they do - alongside academic and Government One Health initiatives - as part of a series of One Health conferences. The next step is to establish a more formal network to promote and support green/clean growth enterprises to accelerate their One Health projects to global markets, and attract inward investment - placing the UK at the forefront of One Health innovation.
The One Health Enterprise Network (OHEN)
Dorset LEP seeks to establish the One Health Enterprise Network (OHEN) to foster a thriving One Health Business Cluster, initially in the Great South West and Wessex regions, including Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Devon, Somerset, South Wiltshire (including Salisbury), Dorset, New Forest, Hampshire & Isle of Wight County Council area, and Southampton and Portsmouth cities. Over 300 companies working in the One Health space have been identified, so far - indicating a high potential opportunity in the region to support the emergence of a business cluster.
Dorset LEP is the lead organisation on the OHEN, providing programme support resources for the initiative. To realise this network, they will be seeking strategic partners from industry, Govt, and academia from across these regions. The One Health 2023 conference will be kickstarting this process on the 13th July 2023.
THE ONE HEALTH NUCLEUS
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & INNOVATOR SUPPORT…
One Health Nucleus (OHN): is the cluster’s One Health-focused knowledge exchange and innovator support programme. OHN aims to deliver the following three pillar Operating Model:
- SHOWCASE: existing and new One Health companies as well as highlighting the complementary work of government and government agencies, universities, and RTOs. This heightening the knowledge of business, supply and support chain offerings through an annual showcase conference, social media page, and a published and widely promoted One Health Prospectus.
- CONNECT: businesses with mentors, private funders (VCs / Angels), public funders, academia, government, and multiple agencies working in innovation development, and the business incubation and support space.
- GROW: the connection of One Health businesses with one another, and with the wider support and supply chains, through the development of a One Health partnership. This facilitated by the programme, led by the entrepreneurs themselves, with the aim of enabling the emergence of the cluster to accelerate sustainable One Health business growth.
The programme will not duplicate the activity of other agencies or convening organisations, but will work in partnership or signpost, as appropriate, building bridges between One Health businesses and the support they need, through sharing network contacts and providing a knowledgeable, proactive introductory service.
One Health Conferences
Our annual national One Health Conference is now a firm fixture in the One Health event calendar. Hosted by Dorset LEP, it's a chance to showcase new innovations across One Health sectors and bring together government, academics and businesses to facilitate action.
Find out what happened at previous events: