On the 21st of September 2016, the Rt. Hon. Sir Vince Cable officially opened the University of Southampton Science Park’s brand new Grade A office accommodation, 5 Benham Campus. The opening was integrated with Nucleus Expo 2016, a science and technology event created to support the commercialisation of leading-edge technology.
Sir Vince Cable was joined by Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton, and Peter Birkett, CEO of the University of Southampton Science Park to open the new building, before delivering a keynote speech highlighting the important work universities and science park’s do to build the links between academia and business.
Peter Birkett commented: “Supporting the commercialisation of high-quality science and technology has always been of great importance here at the Science Park. Opening 5 Benham Campus as part of Nucleus Expo provided a unique opportunity to showcase the best of innovation in the region. We were thrilled to welcome both Sir Vince Cable and Sir Christopher Snowden to celebrate the achievement alongside some of the most promising science and technology companies in Hampshire.”
Sir Vince Cable commented: “In order to raise British innovation to the high level of British science, we need entrepreneurs and universities to work together successfully. Southampton Science Park is a great example of this in action. The links being forged at Nucleus Expo, and the community already in place on the Science Park show how an innovation ecosystem can create real commercial success for UK businesses.”
CEO of BluPoint, Peter Dingley, commented: “Being based on the Science Park since our inception has meant that we have witnessed first hand how a vibrant community can make a real difference to the success of a business. BluPoint founder Mike Santer came up with the idea to create a pop-up Intranet solutions giving everyone access to vital information and services whilst completing his PhD at the University of Southampton. The idea was developed through the Science Park’s Catalyst programme. I was introduced to Mike by Peter Birkett, we have had support from SETsquared on the site and now two years later the business employs 12 staff and has just deployed its first systems in South Africa and Tanzania and is looking to take advantage of the flexible accommodation at the Park to move to new offices.”
5 Benham Campus was constructed to accommodate the growth demands of the Science Park community, and has been devised for creative, collaborative working. The offices are set over three floors to include a range of meeting rooms, break-out spaces, a coffee shop and a roof terrace. The 30,600 square foot site is also fully equipped with smart, environmentally friendly technologies including a state-of-the-art biometric security system and superfast 1Gbps broadband.
