Socio-economic impact of The Pirbirght Institute

Study purpose and focus

The Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre of excellence in the research and surveillance of viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Pirbright is a UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) strategically supported institute, and it serves as a UK National Capability to understand, predict, detect, and respond to viral diseases of livestock.

In 2024, SQW was appointed to undertake a Socio-Economic Impact Study of the Institute, focussing on activities undertaken in the 2015-16 to 2023-24 period. The remit of the study was to: (1) quantify the economic impact of Pirbright’s operational, knowledge exchange and commercialisation (KEC) activities on the UK economy; and (2) identify and highlight the wider impacts of the Institute’s activities on society and the economy in the UK and internationally.

Methodology

The study took a mixed-method approach, involving:

  • An economic impact assessment model, developed to estimate the GVA effect and number of FTE jobs supported by operational and KEC activities undertaken at the Institute, and
  • Consultations with 33 individuals that worked at Pirbright during the impact period and nine external stakeholders.

Additionally, we produced six case examples, showcasing key areas of the Institute’s economic and global impact in the animal health sector: African Swine Fever, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, leadership in biosafety, contribution to the COVID-19 response, virus evolution and transmission, and One Health animal models.

Key findings

The study found that the Institute contributes approximately £50m a year to the UK economy, and has generated £471m in Gross Value Added (GVA) over the past decade. The Institute has also supported over 1,000 jobs a year in the UK economy.

Key routes to wider impact include disease control and prevention, enhancing livestock sector performance, research excellence – with Institute researchers publishing over 800 papers in high-impact journals over the past decade – and skills development. The Institute also enhances international capacity to combat viral diseases through partnerships, training, and networks.

Report and contacts

The report has now been published by The Pirbright Institute and can be accessed here: Socio-Economic Impact of The Pirbright Institute.

If you would like to find out more about SQW’s study, please contact Joe Duggett at jduggett@sqw.co.uk.