Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation for Norwich Research Park, held its latest Enterprise Showcase event on Thursday 2 July at the John Innes Conference Centre. The event was joined by science park managers, cluster managers, areas of innovation and business affiliate members, from UKSPA (UK Science Park Association), as the campus played host to UKSPA’s summer conference and brought local and national stakeholders together over the two days.
The keynote speech was delivered by MP for South Norfolk; Ben Goldsborough who spoke about the role an MP can play in supporting science parks and clusters in their local area. Ben himself has visited Norwich Research Park multiple times to meet different people and participate in events and has been a vocal supporter of the Park both on social media and in the House of Commons, including championing the precision breeding legislation which passed last year.
One of the topics he touched on was the historically under-recognised role science parks have played in driving economic growth and said there needs to be a clear and dedicated science park strategy if we are to maximise their impact and place science at the heart of Britain’s economy.
Ben Goldsborough went on to say “Norwich Research Park is one of Norfolk’s greatest success stories, so I was delighted to speak at its recent Enterprise Showcase about my work championing the Park in Westminster and Norfolk.
“It was also a fantastic opportunity to encourage science parks and places of innovation around the country to engage with their MPs and make the strongest possible case for a dedicated science park strategy.
“As they always do, Norwich Research Park managed to put together an outstanding event, and it was a joy to be involved. Norwich Research Park can always count on me as a tireless advocate for its world-class research output.”
With the theme ‘Creating Economic Impact’ the event showcased the good practice activity taking place at Norwich Research Park which is unlocking economic growth through programmes which support new high-tech companies, starting up, and through engaging with new sector partners looking for solutions to industry problems. UKSPA members are invested in developing their ecosystems, based on the sharing of good practice, to help grow the UK economy.
Alice Cooper-Reeve, CEO from the University of Nottingham Innovation Park said, “The Enterprise Showcase which included the UKSPA Summer Conference, hosted by Norwich Research Park, was a celebration of collaboration, community, and growth. Throughout the two days, we saw how working together toward shared goals and being an active part of your community helps drive growth that benefits a broad spectrum of people.
Norwich Research Park’s vision and progress inspired everyone to make steps toward their own goals. They are a great example of how strong leadership and partnership can deliver real impact on the local economy.”
UKSPA CEO Ruth Hall gave an address championing the often-unseen work by the UK’s science parks which host around 6,000 companies nationwide, accounting for 120,000 jobs.
Ruth Hall, Chief Executive of UKSPA said “The Enterprise Showcase was truly outstanding. As an UKSPA member, it was deeply inspiring to see the work taking place at Norwich Research Park. It was a unique opportunity to hear from some of the UK’s new and exciting start-ups, and why being based at Norwich Research Park has provided them with the foundations and support to develop, grow and scale.”
Ruth went on to thank Roz and the entire team at Norwich Research Park, for their “incredible hospitality, professionalism, and leadership.”
The keynote was followed by a presentation from AIP Board Member and Executive Director of The Sainsbury Laboratory, Professor Nick Talbot, who provided an overview of the science breakthroughs and importance of the investment in the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) project which will ensure the campus can attract the best, award winning, scientists and companies for years to come.
Representatives from five of the successful companies, on the campus, including Tropic, Virilitas Labs, Resurrect Bio, Ikarovec and HotHouse Therapeutics gave quick-fire presentations explaining their new business ideas and why Norwich Research Park is the right place to start and grow a business. Factors mentioned included the importance of support from the AIP team and access to specialist skills and facilities available in the campus ecosystem.
The Enterprise Showcase ended with the first public presentation of the new masterplan vision for Norwich Research Park, funded by Vengrove the campus strategic real estate partner for Norwich Research Park and delivered by master planning architect duo Ewan Graham, Hawkins Brown Architects, and Matt Thornely, Gibson Thornley Architects.
Roz Bird, Anglia Innovation Partnership’s CEO, said, “We have succeeded in establishing these Enterprise Showcase events as key dates in the calendar for an ever-growing, and diversifying audience of scientists, researchers, clinicians, academics, entrepreneurs, industry partners, occupiers and investors from the Park campus and beyond.
“It was a great moment for me personally, and for Norwich Research Park, welcoming friends and colleagues from the UK and overseas to the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) Summer Conference and our Enterprise Showcase event. I started my career in real estate, and science park management and development, working for UKSPA 22 years ago.
“The growth of the UK economy is the government’s number one priority and places like Norwich Research Park can help deliver that growth – helping to create new jobs in the local area. The UK Science Park Association has supported the success of these places for 40 years and has the ability to share good practice and support future clusters and innovation districts to fast track economic growth for the country in the years to come.”
To view the full gallery of photography from the event, visit our event gallery page.
Experience the highlights of our recent event! Watch our short video to experience the energy and engagement firsthand. Please note this is not a recording of the presentations and does not include audio.
