IDEA
The Institute for Design and Economic Acceleration (IDEA) promotes the links between design and brand-led cultures in accelerating growth. Working with over 45 start-ups and with SMEs, especially owner-managed manufacturing businesses (as well as some larger brands), it works to help them progress to next stage business development, while promoting regional policies supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in construction, transport, energy, health and creative clusters.
Through IDEA Institute, Beverley Nielsen, Associate Professor, works with start-ups to bring them to market and close the gap between tech development and market application. She assists with business planning, network development and promotion, funding, ensuring robust management, marketing and protection of new applications. For more information, contact Beverley Nielsen or Steve McCabe
Books and papers
Both Beverley and Steve have produced a number of publications, including:
Books
-
Brexit Negotiations after Article 50: Assessing Process, Progress and Impact, co-edited by Professor Alex de Ruyter and Beverley Nielsen, Emerald Group Publishing, 2019
-
Redesigning Manufacturing, Reimagining the Business of Making in the UK, co-authored by Professor Michael Beverland, Vicky Pryce and Beverley Nielsen
Papers
- West Midlands New Homes Programme, 2019, for Building Allliance, written by Dr Steve McCabe, Beverley Nielsen and Mike Leonard
- Midlands Airports an Asset for Growth, September 2018, for Midlands Engine Business Forum, written by Beverley Nielsen
- Jewellery Quarter Property Requirement Survey, IDEA Institute, written by Dr Steve McCabe and Beverley Nielsen
- Countdown to Brexit, Interim Report Produced for West Midlands Productivity & Skills Commission, West Midlands Combined Authority, September 2017, written by Beverley Nielsen
- Jewellery Quarter Industry Cluster Survey, September 2016, for Thomas Fattorini Ltd and Neighbourhood Forum, written by Beverley Nielsen, Dr Steve McCabe, Greg Fattorini
- Looking for Growth, Sack the Economists and Hire a Designer, 2012, written by Beverley Nielsen and Catherine McGrath
Further publications
A full list of Steve McCabe's research output - including journal articles, papers and more - can be found on his academic profile.
Blogs and case studies
You can access some of IDEA's case studies here. Both Beverley and Steve also regularly blog - you can find their work on the Design Innovation website and through the Centre for Brexit Studies.
IDEA contacts
Beverley Nielsen
Executive Director and Associate Professor
Beverley has worked for Birmingham City University for over a decade in a variety of exciting roles. Positions have included Business Development Manager for Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, as well as Director of Corporate Affairs for the institution. Beverley spent a decade in business as Director of the FTSE-250 company AGA Rangemaster and Managing Director of subsidiary retail business Fired Earth. She spent over a decade as European Policy Advisor for the CBI, where her research on non-tariff barriers on British business was published in a report of the House of Lords Select Committee on European Communities. She was also the Chief Executive of the Heart of England Tourist Board.
Steve McCabe
Associate Professor, IDEA
Steve is an accomplished lecturer, researcher and economist, with considerable knowledge of business, manufacturing and construction. Steve has worked with organisations in both the private and public sectors in understanding how people are crucial when it comes to long-term development, innovation and creativity. Drawing on his economics expertise, Steve regularly provides commentary and contributions for local, national and international media outlets in press, radio and television. Steve is also a Fellow of the University's Centre for Brexit Studies, and regularly provides blogs and think pieces for the Centre. He has lectured at Birmingham City University since 1987, has authored three texts examining quality improvement techniques and produced numerous chapters in edited texts, conference papers and more.