As part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s ongoing mission to create a strong, sustainable economy and encourage high-growth businesses to flourish in the region, Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough visited CMR Surgical, a worldwide surgical robotics business based in Ely.

Mayor Dr Nik visited CMR Surgical’s global manufacturing facility on 8 October and was given a demonstration of Versius, a surgical robotic system designed to assist surgeons to perform keyhole surgery.

Versius has been rolled out in NHS hospitals across the UK, delivering major benefits to both patients and hospitals as more operations are performed as keyhole surgeries across specialities including colorectal surgery, urology, gynaecology, and thoracic surgery. Keyhole surgery is less invasive, and patients recover quicker and better, requiring shorter hospital stays.

The Combined Authority’s proactive approach to business engagement and investment has already seen substantial results.

Three years ago, the Combined Authority – a member of the UK Innovation Corridor – played a key role in supporting CMR Surgical’s decision to establish its global manufacturing facility in Ely, providing the infrastructure and incentives needed to attract this world-leading company to the region. This move is part of a broader strategy to position Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a hub for high-tech innovation and advanced manufacturing.

The presence of CMR Surgical has created dozens of highly skilled jobs across production, engineering, and operations, positioning Ely as a critical site for global surgical robotics manufacturing. The Combined Authority continues to prioritise projects that drive investment and job creation, fuelling growth across industries and enhancing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s reputation as a business-friendly region.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “We are proud to have had a small part to play in helping this world leading company, who are revolutionising surgical care, to set up shop here, helping to harness the benefits for our local community.  This is a great example of how working together with local businesses can bring great benefits for our region’s economy and we are excited to do more.”

Mark Slack, Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder at CMR Surgical, said: “We are proud that Versius, a next-generation surgical robot is designed and manufactured in Cambridgeshire. Versius has been designed to support surgeons to perform keyhole surgery, with all of the benefits that brings to patients, across a versatile range of surgical specialties. Today the system has helped over 26,000 people around the world get the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.”

Looking ahead, the Combined Authority is committed to fostering an environment where more innovative businesses like CMR Surgical can thrive, creating sustainable economic growth for the entire region. This collaboration is just one example of our ambition to attract more global businesses to the area, creating opportunities that will benefit both residents and the wider economy.