Breakthrough Spring 2017 | Page 11

UKSPA vision & mission

Future Fusion for UKSPA

Paul Wright is Director and Chief Executive of the UK Science Park Association ( UKSPA ); the authoritative body on the planning , development and the creation of science parks and other innovation locations

In the Autumn of 2016 we were shocked to be told that TenAlps , our content partner of 15 years , had decided to close their contract publishing arm . The Association had worked closely with TenAlps to produce our in-house magazine , our website and our annual directory and we had a decent relationship with the staff . Sadly , within weeks there were redundancies at the publishers as well as a potential hole in our accounts . It also left us without effective communications with our Members , their tenants , and others with an interest in the sector .

So , we quickly put out a tender to the many agencies that had approached us over the years wishing to take the UKSPA business away from TenAlps , and to other organisations who claimed to work closely with Associations on their communications strategies and plans . We received 17 quality tenders and many others that did not meet specifications .
FUTURE POTENTIAL After a short selection process , we decided to contract with Future Fusion . Their professionalism and enthusiasm totally shone through and , whilst it is early days in our developing relationship , initial signs are that they will lift UKSPA ’ s communications ambitions , moving us away from a contract publishing ethos based on driving ad sales , to new heights where content and customer relevance is of prime importance .
We have worked quickly over the last few months to change the entire look and feel of our magazine . I am thrilled with
the new approach , which aims to clarify messages , make it simple for the reader to select articles of relevance to them , and most importantly , to showcase the great work that is happening at our Member locations throughout the UK today .
YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL I would like to encourage you to help us to continue to raise the profile of the Association and the work you do by providing us and Future Fusion with quality case studies , good practice , growth , collaboration and news stories that will help raise the profile of your work with investors , stakeholders , partners , and government officials .
I trust you like Breakthrough as much as I do and would be pleased to receive your contributions and feedback . ■

UKSPA numbers

Full Members
Associate Members
Business and Affiliate Members
Member Conferences
spring 2017 | UKSPA breakthrough | 11