Work completes on multimillion-pound cyber security centre
Construction is now complete on a £9m state-of-the art cyber security centre in Herefordshire.
Contractor Speller Metcalfe has handed over the Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security which will officially open in spring 2021 on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone.
The centre is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council and part-funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund, via the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Despite work being temporarily halted on the site due to pandemic lockdown restrictions in March, Speller Metcalfe carried out a phased return with a reduced workforce.
The new building, designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects, has generated 80% spend locally within 30 miles of the project which includes subcontractors Folbig Fabrications, Hereford Asbestos Services, Herefordshire Council Building Control and Quickskip, based close to the site at Rotherwas.
Cllr David Hitchiner, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “The centre is a key investment to support the creation of high-income, knowledge-based jobs in the county.
“We are already home to a highly regarded cyber economy, and the knowledge, expertise and opportunities that the centre brings will help to establish Herefordshire as one of the capitals of the cyber security sector.”
Mandy Thorn, hair of the Marches LEP, which invested £2.82m of Local Growth Funding into the project, said: “Despite the challenges 2020 has brought, it is fantastic to see this amazing building completed and nearly ready to open its doors to businesses in the new year.
“The new centre will not only be home to growing businesses engaged in cyber security solutions but will also deliver support and cyber insight to thousands of businesses both in Herefordshire and across the wider Marches region.”
Adrian Speller, technical director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “As well providing a catalyst hub for the ongoing development of the cyber economy, the building is also hugely sustainable. This includes high levels of airtightness, a ‘fabric first’ approach and low embodied carbon, all of which will contribute to lower running costs and reduced carbon footprint over the building’s lifespan.
“Having personally grown up in Herefordshire, it’s been fantastic to work with the project partners to construct a building that has generated significant social return on investment through its delivery.”
Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security will offer a package of tailored security testing, training, R&D and sector expertise to businesses and investors.
Supported by the university’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute (WCRI), the centre will also be home to 16 cyber SMEs and well as offering product testing and certification, CPD and short courses and cyber conferences like the recent Cyber Fringe Festival attracting experts from across the globe.
The 2,000 square metre building will provide significant resources for research and development across three cyber laboratories, advanced training facilities as part of the University’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute and additional business space for up to 16 cyber companies.
The centre is part of the new Cyber Quarter at Skylon Park, already home to numerous defence and security sector businesses.
Picture caption from left to right: Andrew Manning Cox, Enterprise Zone chairman, Adrian Speller, technical director Speller Metcalfe, Professor Prashant Pillai, interim head of the school of mathematics and computer science at the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Amar Aggoun, dean of the faculty of science and engineering at the University of Wolverhampton, Cllr David Hitchiner, leader of Herefordshire Council and Mandy Thorn, chair of the Marches LEP.
