The Minister for Public Health has announced Westfield Health as a major partner for Sheffield Hallam University's Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC).
At a signing ceremony held at the Olympic Legacy Park (OLP), Jane Ellison MP welcomed the partnership which will see the health insurer join Toshiba as a Tier One partner of the AWRC.
The AWRC is a joint venture between Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield City Council.
Its aim is to create "innovations that help people move" and it is set to become the most advanced research and development centre for physical activity in the world.
Westfield Health is supporting the AWRC with a cash and match in kind contribution.
David Capper, executive director of Westfield Health said: "We're delighted to become the second major partner of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre.
"Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield City Council are all longstanding, loyal clients of ours, so we're really excited to be embarking on this venture together and helping the local community to engage in physical exercise and develop healthier lifestyles.
"One of the perceived benefits of the AWRC will be reduced dependency on the health service. At Westfield Health, we firmly believe that prevention is better than cure, so we work with our own staff and customers to promote the benefits of moving more as a way of improving overall wellbeing. But we also help to ease pressure on the NHS by providing faster access to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation if needed.
Rt Hon Richard Caborn, project lead for the Olympic Legacy Park, said: "We're delighted to secure the market leading Westfield Health as our second Tier One partner. The company is at the forefront of keeping working people fit and healthy and will play a key role in helping to deliver our vision to develop the most advanced research and development centre for physical activity in the world, right here in Sheffield."
As well as Jane Ellison's speech, the event included talks from Professor Steve Haake, director of the AWRC, and the Rt Hon Richard Caborn, OLP Project Lead, and also featured an exhibition demonstrating the type of technology the AWRC will develop.
International businesses, representatives from the International Olympic Committee and NHS were also in attendance.
