Investment tops the agenda at knowledge economy conference

Leading figures in the UK science park sector have been in Bedfordshire for a major national conference.

The UK Science Park Association conference is recognised as the leading calendar event for the knowledge economy and saw a significant increase in attendance numbers, with over 150 delegates attending the event at Colworth Park.

Topics debated by delegates included regional innovation, business investment, stakeholder engagement and society’s new ‘super-labs’.

Penny Williams, managing director of Orchadia Solutions, told the conference about the benefits of being located at Colworth Park, which the business uses both as a showroom and its workplace.  Relocating to the park has enabled her company to double in size, she said.

Colworth Park has long been associated with scientific excellence and innovation in its time as a major research centre for Unilever.

The park’s business development director Keith Purdie spoke about the heritage of the park, its mixed tenant community and plans for future growth.  He also highlighted the importance of working with the local community and how to foster best practice and engagement with stakeholders.

Mr Purdie said: “It is an important event and there was so much valuable content packed into the two days.  It was also a great opportunity to show off the park, show some of out plans for its future and to highlight some of the innovative tenants that we have working here and talk about exciting work that they do.”

Link: http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?EID=cd104708-4e96-4949-9be8-4fb51d81d726