The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills’ chief scientific advisor has become the latest senior government official to tour the Bristol & Bath Science Park, following his visit to Airbus in Filton.
Professor John Perkins joined thirty guests from the advanced manufacturing sector for lunch at the Science Park for a broad ranging discussion about how to encourage growth in the sector. Following the luncheon Professor Perkins also visited the National Composites Centre.
Space in the Science Park’s Innovation Centre has been let twice as quickly as initially anticipated despite a challenging market, reflecting the success of the Park at this early stage in development.
Bonnie Dean, chief executive at the Bristol & Bath Science Park said:
“We were delighted to host Professor Perkins, his deputy and distinguished colleagues for lunch at the Science Park. Professor Perkins spoke about how business, academia and the government could work together to promote growth in the advanced manufacturing sector, but more importantly, how to ensure that technologies which have the potential to create new industrial sectors are developed in the UK.”
Professor Perkins added:
“The talent and advanced manufacturing skills that are being used in the South West are really impressive. The Bristol & Bath Science Park is an ideal place for businesses and universities to collaborate and develop new ideas. Both sides can really learn in such a melting pot of knowledge, skills and technology – an important way for the UK to develop its science and research base for the future.”
The scientific advisor’s visit came after a recent high profile delegation from Northern Ireland’s Science Park and government. They too were interested in knowing how the Park in Bristol had factored in the goal of fostering open innovation in the design of its first buildings for early stage companies and industry and academic collaborations.
As well as serviced office space, high bandwidth, excellent communications and conference facilities, Bristol & Bath Science Park tenants have the use of The Forum, a striking glass-fronted communal area, available for networking and food and refreshments, which is also open to the public and other businesses.
Only seven months after opening, the Park is already home to 18 businesses and recent tenant surveys show the opportunities for collaboration created at the Park are one of the aspects they most value.