UKSPA Directory
Chief Executive ’ s Review
Welcome to the 2016-17 edition of the UKSPA Annual Directory which once again illustrates the vital contribution our Association Members make to UK economic growth , and also demonstrates how key our Members are to the health of the UK innovation eco-system .
This Directory demonstrates the continued vibrancy of our community of :
• Science Parks
• Research Parks
• Technology Parks
• Innovation Centres and
• Innovation-led Incubators .
The last twelve months has seen significant changes in our sector with major investments being made , and substantial developments being started , with yet even more to appear over the next 5 years .
UK Science Parks have reached a level of maturity with many of our members now approaching their 25 year or more Anniversaries . The UKSPA innovation landscape now has over 120 locations focused on managing and growing exceptional environments that support the formation and growth of knowledge-based businesses .
Our Members strive to join up the various parts of the innovation journey from the earliest stages of growth in an incubator or business accelerator , to the maturity of major international companies located on Member campuses . As funding sources from government for innovation and business support services has all but dried up , this is no easy task for our park staff , but as I travel the country I am heartened by the creative ways in which our Members still continue to find ways in which to offer quality services to their tenants .
Many of our Members have effective and intricate relationships with Universities , Research Institutions and other centers of learning , and are actively engaging in new forms of regional relationships . As the UK Government is placing significant emphasis on the impact of the former industrial powerhouses in areas such as the Midlands and North West of England , I would encourage all of our Members to become involved as these “ engines ” have not only caught the imagination of government , but also innovation stakeholders – and we must do our best to ensure our Members activities remain high on the agenda of these key regional bodies .
The current picture
UKSPA ’ s 2015 survey provided valuable evidence of the level of activity and impact our Members are providing as the vital engine room for accelerating the growth of the UK Knowledge Economy .
Whilst the annual growth rate of the Association has been fairly impressive over the last 15 years in particular , our annual survey has tended to mask some important trends within our sector , but not necessarily provided us with the most accurate picture of the changing nature of the environment our science parks , research parks , innovation centres and technology incubators are working in today .
Technology areas
We refreshed the annual survey to include new questions that for the first time allow us to understand where we might find tenants working in the eight great technology areas , or that fall into the BIS industrial strategy categories . This is all extremely useful
Paul Wright , CEO of UKSPA
information that we use when working to represent our sector with government and other stakeholders and shows that 72 % of our Member sites have tenant activity in Life Sciences , 22 % in Satellite Applications and 45 % in Big Data . A high proportion of UKSPA Member locations have tenants focused on the Eight Great Technologies and BIS Industrial Strategies .
UKSPA Members also have the ability and capacity to significantly influence the innovation supply chain both locally regionally and internationally . 93 % of our Members feel that it is very important for their role as the centre for technology and innovation in their local area to be recognised by all innovation stakeholders and partners .
Accommodation
Demand and supply of suitable space for start-up and growth firms at UKSPA Member locations needs to be further investigated , but there are early signs that lack of suitable accommodation in some regions may be choking growth at this critical time . 55 % of our Members report demand for space from growing companies , but have no further room for expansion .
Furthermore , 81 % of our Members have specialised property and equipment available for technology & science-based firms , 41 % of our Science Park Members have dedicated incubation facilities or programmes and 75 % of all members offer incubation services . Not surprisingly , 100 % of our Members believe they create high quality employment opportunities for the local economy .
UKSPA Members also provide accommodation and innovation and business support services that are attractive as soft-landing zones to overseas science and technology firms wishing to settle in the UK , with 72 % of our Members providing access to services for inward investment .
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