Innovation park continues to drive Nottingham economy

The University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP) will this week publish its first-ever Annual Report, showing that the start-up and engineering hub is now home to 87 businesses employing 900 people.

The report shows that UNIP, which is approaching its 10th anniversary, also boasts eight research institutes examining issues ranging from aerospace to the digital economy, while an entrepreneurial ‘lab’ supports a further 189 student enterprises.

Its publication also coincides with another wave of significant development at the site, and the arrival of new tenants who include the Bank of England’s East Midlands Agency.

One of the most significant events of the past year has been the opening and expansion of the Ingenuity Centre, a circular building whose external ‘tyre tread’ shell pays homage to the site’s heritage.

It is home to a number of early-stage technology-driven businesses who have been attracted by the prospect of growing and developing at a location which puts them alongside the University’s world-leading knowledge and research.

University of Nottingham chief estates and facilities officer Chris Jagger, who chairs UNIP’s board, said: “Collectively, these enterprises provide tangible evidence that UNIP’s concept is a uniquely successful one.

“It has been no surprise to find that while the wider market for the kind of business space we offer has been somewhat muted in recent months, there has bene no shortage of tenants wishing to take advantage of a location which enables them to benefit from exceptional facilities, a well-connected location and proximity to the expertise of a University ranked inside the UK’s top 10 for tis research excellence.”

Among the businesses in the Ingenuity Centre is Weather Logistics, a weather predictions business with its own technology for producing forecasts with significantly enhanced accuracy for the agricultural and energy industries to assist with food security and energy supply issues.

Founder Chris Nankervis came to Ingenuity Centre through a breakfast event linking businesses with graduate talent. He said: “Sharing an office with similar businesses allowed me to network with likeminded people who were starting out in commercializing satellite data.”

UNIP is also home to Romax Technology, which has built a global reputation for its specialist simulation software, which is used by leading automotive and wind energy businesses around the world.

Romax chief executive Andy Poon said: “Romax’s Research and Technology base is in the UK and centred here at UNIP. Our engineering consultancy services teams are based here, in addition to our software development team – the software which Romax Technology sells globally is developed on this site.

“Our relationship with the University and our commitment to the East Midlands means we are able to employ some of the industry’s brightest minds, including strategic thinkers, technology innovators, experienced engineers and world-leading software specialists.”

This year will see two new landmark developments extend the site’s reach and activities still further – the Advanced Manufacturing Building and the Energy Research Accelerator’s Research Acceleration and Demonstration building.

Dr Mark Tock, operations director at UNIP, said: “There’s no question that these landmark developments exert a real pull because they are statements of intent about the University of Nottingham’s future ambitions.

“The most important thing for us is that UNIP provides a working environment which helps the businesses on site to develop, achieve their goals, and make the most of their proximity to cutting-edge research.

“Our annual report shows that we are definitely achieving that, with occupation levels which are ahead of target and continuing support from funding bodies like the UK Space Agency for our work.”

He added: “This is our 10th anniversary year and we will be making announcements about our plans for the year in due course. What we won’t be losing sight of is the University’s core mission to help develop skilled citizens and leaders, undertake fundamental and transformative discovery, be committed to excellence, enterprise and social responsibility, and to sustaining and improving the places and communities in which we are located.”