ict active adds two more UKSPA members

Sheffield: Tuesday, 20th July 2010 Two more UKSPA properties have signed up to the ict active accreditation, bringing the UKSPA total to eleven. Tamar Science Park in Plymouth and the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) have both achieved Leading Edge status – the highest rating under the ICT assessment scheme. ict active is the national standard for the provision of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in office buildings. ict active provides commercial properties with a comprehensive audit of their ICT facilities and infrastructure, and also promotes office space to potential tenants. Liz Wallis, managing director from ict active, said, 'We are delighted to welcome two more UKSPA properties into the ict active scheme. They have both shown themselves to be leading centres who fully warrant their Leading Edge status. We have a long-standing working relationship with UKSPA and will continue to work closely with their members and partners.' Jonathan Harris, ICT Operations Manager at Tamar, said, 'Being formally recognised as Leading Edge is extremely rewarding and follows many years of planning and development of the ICT infrastructure. As Chair of the UK Science Park Association ICT Forum, TSP is now working closely with ict active to further develop and advise on formalised standards within other science parks and innovation centres.' Paul McEldon, North East BIC Chief Executive, said, 'Over the years, IT has become so integral to the development of businesses that you just cannot ignore it. Businesses have such a high minimum specification of what they need, that we have had to adapt to ensure we have good quality services and facilities. ict active backs up our claims that we do offer excellent services. It will ensure that tenants know they are coming into a centre with exceptional ICT in place.' The other UKSPA properties already part of ict active are: The Wilton Centre, York Science Park IT Centre, Leeds Innovation Centre (including Leeds Innovation Hub and Leeds Bioincubator), the University of Sheffield (including Kroto Innovation Centre and the Sheffield Bioincubator) and The Venture Centre and Business Innovation Centre at the University of Warwick Science Park). For more information about ict active, visit www.ictactive.net.