University of Exeter opens business space at Exeter Science Park

The University of Exeter has launched new business space and hot-desking facilities at the Exeter Science Park to help build partnerships with high-growth businesses.

To mark the opening of the new space, CBI South West Director Deborah Waddell and Sean Fielding, Director of Innovation, Impact & Business at the University, met to discuss business collaboration and new initiatives.

The space at the Science Park will be managed by the University’s Innovation, Impact and Business (IIB) team, who are experts in creating collaboration opportunities and generating value for business.

IIB supports firms by providing intelligent R&D services, access to smarter people and training and partnering opportunities for the university’s ideas, spin-outs and technology.

The new space at the Exeter Science Park will be open to all University staff and their partners. It offers the opportunity to host important business meetings in a professional and fast-paced environment.

Sean Fielding said: “This new meeting and collaboration space at Exeter Science Park Centre will allow our teams to develop new and existing partnerships in a modern space, surrounded by tech start-ups, entrepreneurs and fast growth businesses. It is the ideal location for us to continue building networks amongst the local knowledge base, and further enhances the University’s relationship with the Science Park.

He continued: “We are looking to work with a wider network of businesses and organisations to offer support and collaboration opportunities. With its reputation as a leading tech hub, the Science Park Centre provides the perfect environment for people to drop in and see us, to find out how we might be able to work together.”

Dr Sally Basker, Chief Executive Officer at Exeter Science Park said: “We are pleased that the University will be using space at the Centre to host and facilitate meetings. This initiative connects business to the University’s scientists, facilities and students and the resulting partnerships will be a driver of further growth in our region.”

The spacious 12-person meeting space is of a high business standard and benefits from access to wifi and a range of IT facilities and equipment. The new meeting room facility is located within the Science Park Centre, just off Junction 29 of the M5 and close to Exeter Airport. It has plenty of car-parking and a regular bus service which makes this a great location.

The building of the Science Park Centre has been made possible with shareholder equity from Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, the University of Exeter; the Heart of the South West LEP which committed £4.5m loan from the Growing Places Fund; and a £1 million grant from the Regional Growth Fund.

For more information about the Exeter Science Park Centre visit www.exetersciencepark.co.uk,