Getting better value from public sector research ... - CentreForum

Getting better value from Public Sector Research Establishments
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Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) – The Transport
Research Foundation (TRF) is a non-profit distributing
company limited by guarantee which operates through a
wholly owned subsidiary – TRL Ltd. TRL works on all aspects
of transportation, including safety, vehicles, environment,
sustainability, infrastructure, software and certification.
Former PSREs – Profit Distributing
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AEA Technology – AEA Group Plc is quoted on the
London Stock Exchange, and operates in Europe and
the USA. Previously a small part of the research arm of
the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) (about 90%
of the former AEA Technology was sold in a number
of disposals), AEA Technology is focused on providing
climate change and energy consultancy.
LGC (formerly the Laboratory of the Government
Chemist) – LGC is a privately owned company limited
by shares. Bridgepoint, the private equity group, has
a controlling shareholding. LGC provides laboratory
services, measurement standards, reference materials and
proficiency testing services in the UK and internationally,
is the UK’s designated National Measurement Institute for
chemical and bioanalytical measurement, and the host
organisation for the UK’s Government Chemist function.
QinetiQ – QinetiQ Group Plc is quoted on the London
Stock Exchange. QinetiQ addresses a global market and
provides a wide range of technical services, technical
assurance and safety related services, as well as doing a
small amount of highly applied R&D for the UK Ministry
of Defence (MOD).
TUV NEL – is a company limited by shares wholly owned
by TÜV SÜD Group, an international service organisation
headquartered in Germany. TUV NEL provides technical
consultancy, research, testing, flow measurement and
programme management services. It is the National
Measurement Institute for flow measurement.
Table 3 summarises organisational status, turnover, staff
numbers and percentage of government funding for each of
the PSREs and former PSREs studied.
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