During his visit, he heard about the value of long-term relationships in enabling fast development; the value of the cross-overs between Universities and industry, and the need for government to provide the support that underwrites innovation.

Hosted by Dick Penny & Clare Reddington, (who was able to clarify the thinking behind a Cabinet-level meeting earlier in the week) the lunch was part of a 2-day fact-finding session organised by the City Council, and including a visit to M Shed.

The attendees who included Paul Appleby, Chair of Bristol Media, were able to put across the frustration with public-sector economic support for creative microbusinesses, the need for talent development from an early age, and for talent retention. It was “Bristol knows how to do that” that got BDH’s John Durrant out of London, and it’s clear we now also have unique opportunities in spanning microelectronics and creative output.

The key themes were around connecting to audiences – the developing talent so well served by Knowle West Media Centre, the understanding of digital cultures being developed by Jon Dovey and the UWE team, and the implications of a human+digital future studied by Kenton O’Hara at Microsoft.

With many cities lauding their creative sectors, there was a great sense of the distinctiveness of Bristol. John Manley explained how valuable working directly with creative companies was in the creation of cloud computing, the key focus of the HP Labs in Filton.

And vitally, there was recognition that disruptive innovation is driven by creative microbusinesses, and that funding from the likes of the Technology Strategy Board should provide smaller, faster and more accessible support.

Engaging and affable, the Minister left with a clear sense of the difference between things that are good to announce, and things that can help willing, trusting collaborations create lasting economic and creative value.

Hopefully, thinking he can take back to Westminster, to the benefit of the West of England.