UKCPO aims are achieved by stimulating and supporting the activities of its members, either singly or in a variety of consortia as appropriate to particular projects, and identifying/exploiting synergies between members

UKCPO seeks to leverage the combined strengths of its members in order to benefit the wider community, e.g. the PKTN, to create “win-win” situations

Benefits for members may be realised in the short, the medium or the long term. Members may benefit either immediately or as a result of their being part of a growing and thriving photonics community within the UK and internationally

UKCPO bids forappropriate funded projects- on behalf of its members

Typical "appropriate" projects are those that:
are best negotiated nationally and/or
internationally
are funded from national and/or
international sources
call upon resources from more than
one member, exploit synergies that
result from a matrix structure

Projects are sub-contracted to members and most funds accrue to members

UKCPO remains a lean organisation

UKCPO exerts influence and lobbies on behalf of its members and the photonics and optics sector in the areas of:
strategy
future funding packages and spend
in photonics

Typical targets are:
UK Government including TSB, DIUS,
DBERR, the RITE group, UKTI, etc.
European Commission, including
Photonics 21

UKCPO provides a central resource to:
co-ordinate regional meetings,
exploiting synergies between members
promote these meetings through its
web-site
support meetings with quality speakers
and material
foster inte-rregional and joint
regional/national member meetings on
special interest topics
encourage spread of ‘best practice’ in
"networking"
develop proactive approach to
networking based on "mapping"

UKCPO co-ordinates UKCPO-branded "events"

UKCPO organises appropriate branding for its members and its members companies at international trade shows as defined within its project deliverables

UKCPO works with its regional members to identify and organise both inward and outward trade missions developing plans and submissions necessary to secure appropriate funding to support missions