About UKSPA
40 Years at the Heart of the UK's Innovation Sector
For more than 40 years, UKSPA has been the trusted voice for UK science parks and innovation clusters. Today, we are the national body representing science parks, research and technology parks, innovation districts, knowledge quarters, research campuses, incubators and innovation centres across the country.
Our members work in different ways, but share one goal: bringing together businesses, universities, researchers, investors and public bodies to drive innovation and help ambitious companies grow.
Together, UKSPA members support over 6,000 organisations and 120,000 jobs. They provide the spaces, networks and expertise companies need to start, scale and succeed; boosting investment and strengthening local economies whilst delivering long-term economic and societal impact.
UKSPA is the sector’s trusted, evidence-led voice, working to ensure science parks and innovation clusters are recognised as an essential part of the UK’s national innovation infrastructure. We champion our members by influencing policy, strengthening the sector’s profile and showing the value science parks bring to businesses, communities and the economy.
Alongside our advocacy, we also provide research and insight to help members make informed decisions, and bring the sector together through networking, peer collaboration, knowledge-sharing and professional development. Enabling members to share best practice, build capability and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
1984 - Founded by park managers
125+ Innovation locations
120,000+ Employed on member sites
Who We Are
The voice of the UK's Science Park and Innovation Community
UKSPA represents, promotes and supports a diverse network of members that includes science parks, research campuses, city-based innovation districts, technology incubators and innovation centres across the UK. Together, our members deliver enormous value to the knowledge-intensive companies that occupy space or participate in member activities.
Through sharing good practice, networking, research, promotion and advocacy, UKSPA membership helps to sustain and grow this vital sector, creating the right environments for some of the UK’s most innovative companies to start, scale and thrive.
Our Story
Built by the Sector, for the Sector, since 1984
Founded by the managers of eight science parks, UKSPA has grown alongside the UK’s innovation sector for over four decades. From a small network into the authoritative national voice for the places where research meets enterprise, the Association continues to support the organisations shaping the future of innovation across the UK.
1982
The first two science parks established in the UK
1984
UKSPA founded by managers of the eight parks then in existence
2000s
Significant growth as universities and commercial investors recognised the economic value of science parks
2019
UKSPA celebrates its 35th anniversary with over 100 innovation locations in membership
Today
Over 125 innovation locations and 75 business affiliates working together to sustain and develop the sector
Our Sector
Science parks and innovation clusters are more than just buildings. They are dynamic ecosystems that connect talent, research, capital and enterprise, helping turn new ideas into successful businesses.
These places combine world-class facilities with expertise, investment, business support and collaborative networks. This helps innovative companies grow faster and compete globally. They also play a key role in boosting productivity, attracting investment and driving growth across the UK, making them a vital part of the nation’s economic infrastructure.
Our Members
UKSPA’s membership reflects the diversity of the UK’s innovation landscape. It includes science parks, research parks, innovation districts, knowledge quarters, research campuses, incubators and innovation centres, along with the organisations that develop, own, invest in and manage them.
Together, our members create the conditions for innovation to thrive. Through strong partnerships, expertise and long-term investment, they help build world-leading innovation ecosystems, support thousands of businesses, and strengthen the UK’s global competitiveness.
How we're governed
UKSPA is a voluntary membership association operating from offices at Chesterford Research Park in North Essex. The Executive Team delivers the day-to-day operational activities of the Association, with strategic direction set by an elected Board of 8 members drawn from across the UKSPA membership.
The Association is governed by its Articles of Association and is registered in England (company number 2601480).
Our Board members bring expertise from across the science park, innovation district, property, design and investment sectors – ensuring UKSPA reflects the breadth and diversity of the community it serves.
UKSPA Board
Elected by members, guided by experience
The strategic direction of UKSPA is set by an 8 member Board, elected by the membership. Board members bring expertise from science park leadership, property, architecture, investment and enterprise support.
Dr Sally Basker
Chair
15+ years board-level experience across aerospace, defence and innovation sectors. CEO of Exeter Science Park since 2017.
Aaron Hunter
Honorary Treasurer
Chartered Accountant with a BSc in Biology. Brings domain knowledge and diverse sector experience to the Treasurer role.
Angie Reynolds
Company Secretary
Over 20 years of property management experience including laboratory conversions and award-winning incubator development.
Roz Bird
Director
Chartered Surveyor and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Extensive career managing science parks across the UK.
Caroline Fleming
Director
Mechanical engineer with 20+ years supporting early-stage technology companies, incubators and innovation ecosystems.
Jane Hutchins
Director
Leading delivery of Trinity College Cambridge’s future vision for one of the world’s most celebrated science park locations.
Philip Macdonald
Director
Over 200,000 sqm of science and research space delivered. Deep expertise in lab, cleanroom and innovation campus design.
Prashant Shah
Director
Serial entrepreneur, seed investor and ecosystem builder. Led design and delivery of the award-winning Mill SciTech Park, Cambridge.
Executive Team
The UKSPA Executive Team delivers the day-to-day operations of the Association, from membership services and events to communications and policy work.
Ruth Hall
Chief Executive
Ruth leads the strategic and operational delivery of UKSPA, working closely with the Board and member community to drive the Association forward.
Adrian Sell
Head of Operations
Adrian oversees the day-to-day running of the Association, including membership services, events coordination and member communications.
Ruth Hall
Chief Executive
Adrian Sell
Head of Operations
Companions
Recognised for outstanding contribution to the Sector
UKSPA Companions are individuals honoured by the Board for their significant and lasting contribution to UKSPA and the wider innovation location sector. The knowledge and experience they hold is of substantial value to the Association and its members.
Professor John Allen
Former Chairman of UKSPA and Chief Executive of Manchester Science Park. Awarded UKSPA’s outstanding contribution award in 2004. Consulted on science parks in 36 countries.
Tim Bacon
35+ years in town planning, economic development and property. Former Vice Chair of UKSPA. Active member since 2004, supporting new UKSPA initiatives and peer networks.
Jane Davies OBE
Former CEO of Manchester Science Parks and UKSPA Chairman. OBE in 2011 for services to innovation. International expert in science park development.
Jim Duvall
Served as UKSPA Executive Director for 14 years before retiring in January 2022. A cornerstone of the Association’s operational development over more than a decade
Walter Herriot OBE
Former Managing Director of St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge. OBE for services to business in the East of England. Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2006.
Catherine Johns
Former Vice-Chair of UKSPA. Instrumental in developing North East Technology Park. Board Director of IASP and founder of Women in IASP.
Charles Monck
Internationally recognised science park expert involved in the founding of UKSPA. Led the first evaluation of UK science parks and the landmark book on high-technology firm growth.
David Rowe
Director of University of Warwick Science Park from its inception in 1982 to 2011. Pioneer of satellite incubators and business development programmes.
Nigel Shaw
UKSPA Companion since 2016. Former CEO of Malvern Hills Science Park. Project Director for the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, York.
Honorary Members
Ambassadors and Advisors to the Association
Honorary membership is offered by the UKSPA Board to a small number of individuals who continue to support the work of the Executive Team and act as ambassadors for the Association, even after moving on from organisations in UKSPA membership.
Malcolm Parry OBE
Malcolm took an academic post at the University of Surrey that led to the then Vice Chancellor inviting him to develop the Surrey Research Park. By 1983 he joined 8 other Science Park leaders to formUKSPA in 1984, acting as Chair for 3 terms. He was honoured in 2006 with an OBE for his work on Education and Industry links
David Hardman
David ha worked for 25 years in knowledge transfer between applied research and commercial application and exploitation. With aims towards creating appropriate partnerships and infrastructures to promote the development of businesses across a range of sectors including ICT, Digital Media and Games, CleanTech, Biotech, MedTech.
Jonathan Burroughs
Founder Partner and CEO of Creative Places. Specialist in placemaking for innovation and enterprise environments. Now provides consultancy in visioning and beneficial change.
Barry Sankey
Solicitor and science park legal specialist with over 40 years’ sector experience. Author of sections within UKSPA’s Planning, Development & Operation of Science Parks publications.
Nick Sturge MBE
Grew Bristol SETsquared to the world’s best university business incubator. Founded Engine Shed in 2013. Awarded an MBE for services to the digital economy in 2019.
Bill Sprigings
Former Marketing Director of BioPark, University of Hertfordshire. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Mentors healthtech start-ups through Tech London Advocates.
Ieuan Wyn Jones
Former Deputy First Minister of Wales and founder of M-SParc. Convener of the UKSPA Wales branch and a passionate advocate for innovation in Wales.
David Gillham
Former Executive Director of Thames Valley Science Park. Led visioning, business planning and establishment of TVSP. Now provides consultancy to universities and public sector organisations on innovation communities.
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