This paper explores the potential role of Further Education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom's innovation ecosystem, focusing on their potential to drive inclusive growth and place-based innovation. FE refers to the sector of education that serves learners beyond the compulsory schooling age of sixteen and encompasses academic, vocational and recreational courses, delivered by FE colleges that are often hyper-local and deeply embedded in their communities. Despite their significant reach and contributions to local economies, FE institutions have been underutilised in national innovation strategies. The study examines the early implementation of the Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Programme (GMFEIP), a £2.5 million initiative funded by InnovateUK's Further Education Innovation Fund. The programme aims to strengthen the role of FE colleges as key enablers of innovation through the establishment of ten Innovation Centres across Greater Manchester and tests a novel conceptual framework: the radial innovation network. The early findings suggest that FE institutions can serve as effective innovation intermediaries, leveraging their strong industry partnerships, vocational focus, and community links to support business innovation and regional economic development. The paper contributes to the broader debate on inclusive innovation and regional economic policy, highlighting the potential of FE-led initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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