ABSTRACT
This chapter tells the story of the last half century of change in Cambridge, UK, relating to the emergence of high-technology business as the main economic sector in a town primarily known for its ancient and excellent university. The chapter describes the crucial role of the University of Cambridge in the changes, and how the institution adapted to its role as a contributor to the growth of technology businesses and to the changes made in policies and procedures in the national policy context in which it operates. The essential role of informal alliances across university, business and government communities is stressed in the contribution they made to create the trust necessary to do things differently.
