GD37 – Exeter Science Park Grow On Buildings

The project will be based at the Exeter Science Park identified as a LEP transformational opportunity and strategic priority for all the shareholders.

The project provides two new grow-on office/lab buildings at the Science Park, building on previous LEP investment within the Science Park Centre under the Growing Places Fund programme. The grow-on buildings provide the next stage of accommodation from the managed workspace environment whilst still providing the flexible terms required by fledgling, science-based SMEs.

The strategy is based on firm market evidence of demand and delivers a number key objective of the Science Park business plan to deliver.

  • Creating Grow On accommodation which will become a key part of the innovation and business support infrastructure offered on the park allowing companies to move out from the Science Park Centre and establish their own premises prior to building stand -alone properties. High value science and technology jobs will be created which will be more secure than those from the start-ups.
  • Ensuring Exeter Science Park is competitive with Bristol and Plymouth Science Parks which have established and successful Grow On facilities
  • Generating high value jobs in the region , creating businesses and business growth in science sectors
  • Creating a viable development for Exeter Science Park Ltd which will generate income to be used for additional science park innovation and business support activities
  • Providing the first phase of Enterprise Zone development on the science park.

Jobs indirect:

2019/20 – 30

2020/21 – 100

Commercial Floor space created

2017/18 – 1000 m2

2018/19 – 1529 m2

Growth Deal 2 Funding: £4.5m

Started on site:  November 2016

Completion: December 2020

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    David Ralph

    Chief Executive

    David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

    Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

    David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.