Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter unveils development company brand

Liverpool Knowledge Quarter

Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter has announced its spin-out development company is to be officially branded as Sciontec Liverpool.

Based on the development company’s core purpose – Science, Innovation and Technology – Scion represents the replanting of a shoot to encourage growth, fitting perfectly with KQ Liverpool’s vision of creating a new world-leading innovation eco-system for the Liverpool City Region.

Jointly-owned by Liverpool City Council, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, Sciontec is, subject to Cabinet approval, looking to bring in a private investor to boost the region’s offer in science and technology.

With plans to enhance and expand Liverpool’s existing knowledge economy assets – including Liverpool Science Park – and to build new world-leading facilities, Sciontec will kick-start its search for an investor to join the fold at the global property conference, MIPIM, in Cannes next month.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, who is overseeing the £1bn development of Paddington Village in KQ Liverpool, said: “Sciontec Liverpool does exactly what it says on the tin. It brings together Science, Innovation and Technology and will further strengthen the relationship between business and academia.

“We want the world to know that, despite all the economic uncertainty, Liverpool is open for business and looking for an investor who shares our vision to join us on this exciting journey.”

Prof Dame Janet Beer, vice-chancellor of University of Liverpool and interim chair of Sciontec Liverpool, said: “By bringing together our city’s leading universities and dynamic city council with the private sector, we are demonstrating our commitment to attracting long-term, sustainable growth into the city region.

“Our objective in creating Sciontec is clear – to build on our world-leading strengths in education and medicine, science and technology by developing the best workspace and labs in the country.”

Mark Power, interim vice-chancellor of LJMU, said: “Although established in the Knowledge Quarter, Sciontec will look for development opportunities across the whole of the city region, whilst continuing to work with the wider KQ Liverpool partners on a strategic level.

“If we want to increase the commercialisation of research, foster more spin-outs and starts-ups and help our businesses to grow, we need to provide the places and spaces where innovation can happen organically.”

Colin Sinclair has recently been appointed as the interim chief executive of Sciontec Liverpool, while retaining his strategic and place-making role at KQ Liverpool.

The investor selection process will be officially launched at 9am on March 13, during a morning of exciting announcements being made by the Liverpool delegation at MIPIM in Cannes.

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