Work to start on job-boosting £9m cyber security centre

Construction work is set to start early next year on a £9m Centre for Cyber Security in Hereford, creating up to 190 jobs.

Plans for the ambitious project cleared a critical hurdle after Herefordshire Council approved the launch of a new joint venture company with the University of Wolverhampton to build the centre at Skylon Park.

The centre, which will open in 2020, aims establish Skylon Park and the region as a leading hub of cyber security excellence in a sector worth £2.8bn in this country and £86.6bn around the world.

The 2,000 sq m building will offer more than 1,000 sq m of research and development floorspace in three cyber laboratories and business space for 16 companies.

Cllr David Harlow, Herefordshire Council cabinet member economy and communications, said: “In Herefordshire, we have a very low level of unemployment, but our regional average wage is noticeably lower than many other regions of the country. It is our aim to invest in creating more knowledge-based and well-paid jobs throughout Herefordshire, and the new Centre for Cyber Security will help us achieve this. Cyber Security is a major growth industry and attracting well-paid experts to Herefordshire will bring significant value to our economy.”

Professor Ian Oakes, University of Wolverhampton deputy vice-chancellor, said: “The new Cyber Centre will be a major new development for Hereford and the regional economy, providing world-class research opportunities alongside cutting-edge academic, vocational and educational training.

“Our strategy is to bring together our collective expertise in a centre of excellence with partners both in the UK and internationally. Cyber Security is a globally significant sector, and this exciting partnership will enable us to enhance skills and ensure the region’s businesses benefit from this important research area.”

Andrew Manning Cox, chairman of the Hereford Enterprise Zone, said the centre would be a key asset to Skylon Park as it continued to build a national reputation as an innovative, success-driven business community.

“This firmly underlines Skylon Park’s reputation as a home for the defence and security sectors, and will prove invaluable in helping us attract inward investment into the Enterprise Zone,” he said.

Under the agreement, the university and Herefordshire Council will make a total loan of £5m to the new company in return for a shareholding.

The University has secured part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in conjunction with the Marches LEP Local Growth Fund.