UKSPA

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
2021-02-18 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
The latest interactive webinar from UKSPA will hear from top speakers discussing how we can further improve and encourage a science and innovation sector for everyone. We will consider the approaches and solutions that can be taken and how we can improve as an industry to encourage effective and sustainable EDI strategies. The webinar will also debate the urgent economic need to address equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion in STEM, currently underrepresented in roles at all levels.
The webinar will discuss many vital issues including

Diversity and inclusion in STEM.
How equality can drive sustainability in the workplace.
Supporting and encouraging equal opportunities among STEM career break returners
The shortfall of STEM skilled workers

Chair: Bob Cushing, Board Director, UKSPA
Speakers:
Roz Bird, Director, Commercial Director, MEPC Limited
Natalie Daniels, Senior Area Manager, Greater London Authority
Dr Katie Perry, CEO, The Daphne Jackson Trust

REGISTER HERE

Adapting office buildings for laboratory use
2021-02-04 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
Following on from the initial webinar in November and the subsequent feedback, this webinar debates how more innovative use of space can drive innovation to significantly assist in attracting new talent and supporting retention of existing occupiers. This repurposing of facilities could deliver real opportunities to provide more flexible and adaptable space for existing and prospective occupiers as demand for laboratory space increases.
REGISTER HERE
The need to create sought-after lab spaces from existing commercial office buildings is very much to the fore and we debate the predicted increase in demand for lab and biotech space. The webinar will discuss the need for innovative and creative space, the considerations, functionality as well as the technical challenges of repurposing offices and the implications of a longer term shift of desk space and more lab space.
Chair: Ian McFadzen, UKSPA Board Director
Speakers
David Williams, Partner and Head of Science & Technology, Bidwells
Sam Potts, Partner, Bidwells
Alison Wring, Director, AECOM
Richard Walder, Science and Technology UK Sector Lead, Burohappold Engineering
David Lupson, Director, CAM-SCI

REGISTER HERE

COVID-19 Update: Lessons from the past, the present and future challenges
2021-01-21 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
Throughout most of 2020 we have all experienced the many challenges presented by COVID‐19. The science and innovation sector has shown great resilience and was quick to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances.
As we enter the third lockdown, UKSPA’s first webinar of 2021 will look at the lessons learnt from the past nine months and consider the challenges as well as the opportunities ahead.
The webinar will look at the current status on the available business support and funding opportunities, the financial impact the pandemic has had on technology companies, the support needed to effectively address economic and productivity uncertainties and the role of innovation locations during and post COVID-19.
Members will discuss their views on the impact of the pandemic financially, innovative tenant support, case studies and how experiences from the initial pandemic outbreak can help shape the future.

Chair:
John Leake, UKSPA Director, Company Secretary and Honorary Treasurer
Speakers:
Dom Hallas, Executive Director. The Coalition for a Digital Economy
Iain Mansell, Deputy Director, Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands
Member Panel:
Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool
Dr Sally Basker, Chief Executive Officer, Exeter Science Park
Duncan Rogers, Asset and Estate Management Director, Harwell Campus
REGISTER HERE

Emerging data technologies in life sciences
2020-10-14 - 2020-10-15
The UK Bioscience Forum will return in October 2020 as a two day virtual event, with the theme emerging data technologies.
Recent years have seen an explosion of emerging data technologies in the biotech sector. Many of these address long-standing challenges in the industry, offering the potential to reduce the time and cost of drug discovery, and to target beyond what was previously possible. But new opportunities bring new challenges. Ethical harnessing of data, access to and governance of data, skills and interoperability all provide significant hurdles.
Life science companies, keen to tap into computational power and access the potential of vast datasets, will need different capabilities to take the potential forward. Equally, technology-based organisations need to get to grips with the world of biotech in order to understand where they can add the most value.

Health and Wellbeing in the workplace
2020-10-08 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
Teams and organisations are adapting to the challenges brought by the pandemic. We are all looking for new ways of working whilst also ensuring a healthy and productive environment.
As a result of the new circumstances and challenges, the need to address mental as well as physical health issues and well-being is paramount.
This webinar will review the key factors in workplace health and wellbeing, and examine these new ways of working and the need to implement an effective mental health and well-being strategy. We will discuss the emerging needs of staff while addressing the strategies and approaches that best support individuals in the workplace during these challenging times.
Speakers are as follows:

Veronica Flemming, Senior Landscape Architect, ASA landscape Architects
David O’Coimin, Founder & CEO The DO Company
Veronica Reynolds, Sustainable travel advisor, Milton Park
Dr Jon Finn, Founder, Tougher Minds
Sophie Whitbread, Employment Lawyer, Penningtons Manches LLP

REGISTER HERE

R&D and the Comprehensive Spending Review
2020-09-24 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
24th September – R&D and the Comprehensive Spending Review: 12-1.30 PM
The Chancellor’s announcements made in the 2020 Budget set out record spending – rising to £22 billion a year by 2024/5 – to help position the UK as a science and innovation superpower, and were widely welcomed across the R&D landscape as an effective means of boosting and levelling-up economic growth.
In the spirit of “Building back better” post-pandemic, the science and innovation community is eager to see the government deliver on these commitments and reflect R&D as a priority area in the forthcoming 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review by retaining the levels of research activity pledged to our publicly funded institutions, as well as investing more in development activities and innovation.
This joint webinar from AIRTO and UKSPA will provide an opportunity for dialogue on a number of crucial issues relating to lifting investment in R&D. Leading speakers from within the R&D ecosystem will discuss how we can stimulate R&D for a greener, cleaner and sustainable future post Covid-19.
Chair: Steve Yianni, Vice President, AIRTO
Speakers:
James Tooze, Policy Officer, Campaign for Science & Engineering
James joined CaSE in July 2017, he is directly involved in all aspects of CaSE’s policy work. Prior to joining, James worked as a Policy Researcher for the Society of Chemical Industry. He studied for an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, before completing a Masters in Science Communication and Public Engagement at the University of Edinburgh.
Lee Hopley, Deputy Director for Research Partnerships, Enterprise Research Centre
Lee is Deputy Director for Research Partnerships at the ERC, and is responsible for project managing and delivering the flow of research commissioned by partners on small businesses and entrepreneurship. She also works as a consultation with organisations to develop evidence and policy research on issues covering innovation and finance. Lee’s career has focused on understanding business performance and the impact of policy on decision-making and outcomes, she was previously Chief Economist at EEF, the manufactures’ organisation (now Make UK).
Dan Cochlin, Head of External Affairs, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Daniel Cochlin is the Head of External Affairs for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, the organisation bringing together the business and civic leaders of the North with the ultimate objective of rebalancing the economy and creating opportunities for the people of the Northern Powerhouse. His role involves working with the North’s leading employers, Government, elected mayors and a wide range of stakeholders to build consensus on improving key areas of policy, including transport, education, skills and productivity. He is a regular commentator on Northern issues on national and regional media. Prior to this role, Daniel was Head of Communications for Advanced Materials at The University of Manchester, responsible for establishing a compelling narrative around graphene and other innovation
Colette Cohen, CEO, The Oil & Gas Technology Centre
Colette Cohen is the Chief Executive Officer for the OGTC, an organisation committed to the research and development of technology to enable the Oil and Gas industry to transition to a net zero future. Colette has worked in the industry for more than 25 years, both in the UK & Internationally for BP, ConocoPhillips & Centrica E&P, where she was the regional VP for the UK & Netherlands before joining the OGTC. Colette has a degree in Chemistry from Queens in Belfast, a masters in Project Management & Economics from CERAM in France and an honorary PhD from Aberdeen University.
She is the Chair of the National Composites Centre and sits on the boards of OPITO, NORECO and the Lloyds Advisory Board. She is also a Commissioner for the Just Transition Commission for Scotland, a Trustee for Springer Rescue for Scotland and an ambassador for Powerful Women. Colette is an active champion for the industrial transition of the oil and gas industry to a net zero future and a committed role model for women in industry.
Iain Simpson, Chairman, R&D Society
Iain is Chairman of the R&D Society, an organisation founded in 1962 that focuses on making the UK the best environment for research and development.
He has more than 30-years track of experience in multi-disciplinary technology and product development including business development, project management and technology assessment in US and European markets, the last 20 years of which has been gained in the use of devices and digital technologies to create product differentiation, improve patient engagement and better measure clinical outcomes in real world settings
He has a degree in Physics, a PhD in experimental solid-state physics both from UCL and also an MBE in Technology Management from the Open University. He has published several papers, chaired and presented at several international conferences on healthcare technology, technology licensing and digital health.
REGISTER HERE

Looking to the future - The new office after lockdown
2020-09-10 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
In July UKSPA hosted a webinar on “Looking to the future: Innovation and the new office” at a time when lock-down was at its height. It was also a time when there was enormous speculation about the short- and long-term requirements for office-based companies.
We asked how office design would evolve to ensure safe while working effectively and collaboratively while physically apart.
Two months on, this webinar will look at how work patterns have changed as occupiers returned to their offices and how these new requirements will impact on the future delivery of space and services for knowledge intensive businesses.
This follow on session will provide an opportunity for discussion and for UKSPA members to contribute their own thoughts and experiences with a panel of speakers who will provide an update to their earlier presentations:
Chair: Bob Cushing, Director, UKSPA

Toby Hyam, MD, Creative Space Management
Cliff Dennett, Head of Commercial, Bruntwood Scitech
Tom Peasgood, Head of Business and Science Parks, MAPP
Peter Baird, Associate, Perkins + Will

REGISTER HERE

AIRTO/UKSPA Webinar: The Future of the R&D landscape
2020-07-23 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE

Following the recent publication of the Government’s Research and Development (R&D) roadmap which sets out the Government’s vision for cultivating a more science and technology-focused economy, this joint webinar from AIRTO and UKSPA provides a timely opportunity to open up dialogue on a number of crucial issues facing the sector. The Government is planning a substantial expansion to R&D investment – rising to £22 billion a year by 2024/5 and it is imperative that the promising proposals are delivered if we want to see the sustained future economic growth of science, research and innovation. Crucial to this process is collaboration with partners to draw together ideas on how we can respond most effectively to the opportunities that have been put forward in the publication.
Leading speakers from within the R&D ecosystem will discuss how we can stimulate R&D for a faster and better recovery post Covid-19, provide an update of the Research & Innovation Infrastructure roadmap programme, the questions raised and the next steps that need to be taken. How we can fully develop the opportunities and through collaboration, develop the Government’s intended plan to make R&D central to the UK’s recovery plan and position itself to be a science and innovation superpower as a result.
Co- Chair: Steve Yianni, Vice President, AIRTO
Co- Chair: Dr Glenn Crocker MBE, Chairman, UKSPA
Speakers:
Felicity Burch: Director of Innovation and Digital, CBI
Felicity leads the organisation’s policy work to create the conditions that enable businesses to come up with new ideas, invest in research and development (R&D) and adopt new technologies.
Prior to taking her current role, she spent two years as the Head of Innovation and Digital, where she led the CBI’s successful campaign for the government to commit to a target for R&D expenditure, as well as agenda-setting work on technology adoption. Felicity’s first role at the CBI was as the Principal Policy Adviser on labour markets, where she was responsible for the CBI’s agenda on pay and the future of work.
Felicity’s background is in Economic Policy, focused on business growth. Before the CBI, she was Senior Economist at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation. In this role she led the development of their innovation policy and industrial strategy work and delivered a breadth of economic and industrial trends research. She has also worked on Experian’s Economic Policy team, with a focus on regional growth.

Dr Marie-Laure Hicks: Policy Advisor, Research & Innovation, Royal Academy of Engineering
Marie-Laure is part of the research and innovation policy team at the Royal Academy of Engineering, working on a wide range of activities that aim to stimulate a dynamic and thriving ecosystem for engineering R&D and innovation that improves productivity and delivers economic and social value for people from all parts of the UK. Marie-Laure lead the COVID-19 response project ‘Stimulating R&D for a faster and better recovery’, setting out recommendations based on findings from a rapid evidence gathering exercise with representatives from R&D-intensive engineering sectors and companies and ongoing work on increasing investment in R&D. Other highlights include ‘Radical Innovation’, a briefing presenting a blueprint for a new UK research and technology funding agency, and leading the follow-up project to ‘Increasing R&D investment: business perspectives’ on late-stage R&D.
Prior to joining the Academy in 2019, Marie-Laure completed a PhD at the London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London (UCL). Whilst at UCL, Marie-Laure undertook a secondment at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and has previously worked as a summer portfolio analyst at the Technology Strategy Board, now Innovate UK.

Dr Bryony Butland: Programme Director UKRI Infrastructure Roadmap, UKRI
Dr Bryony Butland is the Research and Innovation Infrastructure Programme Director for the UKRI. UKRI recently published a report ‘Opportunities to grow our capability’, the result of an 18 month programme of analysis and engagement to create a picture of existing UK infrastructure, future requirements and resulting investment priorities. In recently months Bryony has also been working to support UKRI in its response to COVID19. Prior to joining UKRI Bryony worked as a Deputy Director in Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy working on the creation of UKRI and a range of science and innovation policy roles including the case for science investment in the last two spending reviews. She has also acted as the sponsor for the UK Space Agency, worked in Strategy for Department of Energy and Climate Change, and led work on public health and obesity policy in Department of Health and the Government Office for Science’s Foresight Programme. Before joining the civil service she worked in academia and a small biotech company, completing her PhD in Genetics in 2001.

Dr Uday Phadke: Director, R&D Society
Dr. Uday Phadke is a member of the Board of the UK R&D Society, an organisation focussing on being a representative voice of industrially-focussed R&D in the UK. He is also Chief Executive of Cartezia which he founded in 1998. His career over the last three decades has covered three areas: commercial businesses enabled by innovations in science and technology; academic research and teaching in technology and business; and the delivery of global innovation initiatives. His primary focus now is on the Scale-up challenges faced by high-growth firms.

UKSPA online member conference: Thursday 9 July – Friday 10 July 2020
2020-07-09 - 2020-07-10
The two day member drop-in conference will provide a timely opportunity to consider in more detail a number of critical issues and the implications for the sector. We will look at the opportunities both in the mid and long-term, that will shape innovation and drive sustainable growth post the Covid-19 crisis.
Register for the individual sessions listed below that you wish to attend
REGISTER HERE

Thursday 9 July 11.00-12.00: Digital infrastructure for a changing workplace
Chair: Bob Cushing, Bridgefibre, Changes to how services are delivered in the current environment
Steve Masters, JISC- Digital workplaces and digitally powered people
Richard Morris,technologywithin/Robin Chave, University of Southampton Science Park- Future proofing connectivity: A case study with Southampton Science Park’
Justin Harley, Yardi Systems – An integrated approach to digital property management
Register for this session

Thursday 9 July 13.00-14.00: Investment Trends
Chair: Sally Ann Forsyth, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
Henry Whorwood, Beauhurst, Innovative businesses in the time of Covid
Chris Walters, JLL, – Investment Trends, Opportunities and Drivers
Alan Watts, Director of Funding, Catalyst Inc
Register for this session

Thursday 9 July 2020. 14.30 – 15.30: Sustainability – Future Labs, workplaces and the Zero Carbon Challenge
Chair; Bob Cushing, Director, UKSPA
Gary Clark, HOK- RIBA 2030 Challenge: Road Map to Net Zero Carbon Research Buildings
Tim Fry, Arup- Journey towards a net zero carbon laboratory
Matthew Butler, Aecom, Lessons learnt from a zero carbon laboratory
Register for this session

Friday 10 July 10.00 -11.00: Gender diversity in STEM
Chair: Catherine Johns, UKSPA Companion Member
Stefanie Thorne, University of Suffolk – Female Entrepreneurship and COVID 19: Challenge and Opportunity
Ruth Blanco, WISE Campaign
Kath Mackay, Alderley Park
Register for this session

Friday 10 July 2020. 14.30 – 15.45 Looking Forward: Science Parks and Innovation Locations.
What will be the role of science park’s and Innovation locations in “The New Normal”
Chair: Jo Stevens, Oxford Innovation
Phil Kemp, Bruntwood SciTech
Martino Picardo, Discovery Park, Kent
Harry Farmer, NESTA
Nick Sturge, MBE, UKSPA Honorary Member

Register for this session

Looking to the future: Innovation and the new office
2020-07-01 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
What will be the future requirements for office based companies? How will office design evolve to keep people working effectively and collaboratively while physically apart?
This webinar looks at the implications for the sector as offices and R&D space respond to changing circumstances.
As well as considering the immediate impact of changing work patterns, this webinar will also discuss the longer term issues and asks what will offices and R&D space look like in the future?
Speakers include:
Chair: Patrick Bonnett, National Innovation Centre for Ageing
Tom Renn, Manchester Science Partnerships
Nigel Mapp, Mapp
Peter Baird, Perkins+Will
Toby Hyam, Creative Space Management

REGISTER HERE

Looking to the future - The new laboratory
2020-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
What impact has Covid-19 had on laboratory operation, investment and future design? The webinar looks at the future laboratory environment, greater flexibility, digitalisation, communication and the ongoing requirements for labs such as safety, robustness and cleanliness.
The session will also look at investment into laboratory space for third party occupation and highlight:

How we are seeing repurposing of industrial space as a way to cost effectively deliver flexible space
How new buildings are being delivered by the private sector
How wet lab space has been retrofitted into office space
How there is a need for more office space and non-wet lab when these buildings are being considered as technology changes increase the amount of digital work • How smaller suites of space will continue to need funding support where they need to be fully fitted.

Speakers include:
Chair, Ian McFadzen Plymouth Science Park
Kath McKay, Alderley Park
John Sommerville, Creative Places
Richard Walder, BuroHappold Engineering

REGISTER HERE

The Business Development Challenge: How do we attract new occupiers?
2020-06-18 12:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London)
REGISTER HERE
Has the lockdown delivered new insights into the changing requirements of new tenant companies? Does there need to be a redefinition in the way that we market the offering and value of Science Parks and other Innovation Locations?
What are the changes and opportunities post Covid-19 that may need to be delivered in order to attract new companies alongside the retention of existing clients?
Chair: Jo Stevens, Oxford Innovation
James Latham. Associate Partner, Carter Jonas
Monika Zemla, Harwell Campus
Claire Bennett, York Science Park
Olivia Chatten,York Science Park
REGISTER HERE

Returning to the workplace - The road to the new normal
2020-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
This webinar will look at the challenges that will be faced as we adapt services on the road to the ‘new normal’. The session will discuss how we continue to deliver support for companies to work effectively, efficiently and safely in a changed workplace. It will also look at some of the longer term issues that will affect the sector as the shape of “the new normal” develops.
Speakers include:
Sally Basker, Exeter Science Park
David Hardman, Innovation Birmingham
Glenn Crocker, Biocity
CLICK TO REGISTER

UKSPA Webinar: Returning to Work
2020-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Following the recent guidance from Government, the webinar will debate the numerous issues facing UKSPA members on the return to the workplace.
The webinar will consider the evolving roles of Park Managers as landlords and employers, debating the day to day issues such as enforcing workplace distancing rules and best practice in these changing times.
It is also an opportunity to hear high quality legal advice on addressing employee and employer issues and concerns, social distancing in the workplace, compliance, issues surrounding childcare, health and safety matters.
Mental wellbeing is more important than ever in these uncertain times. The session will hear of the importance of design for promoting good health and wellbeing, maintaining good positive mental health surroundings for occupants and creating a more adaptable environment taking into account the new normal.
Speakers
Chair: Bob Cushing, Board Director, UKSPA
Sophie Whitbread, Employment Lawyer, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Emma Davies, Partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Jayne Kelly, Associate Architect and Interior Designer, NBBJ
Robert Day, Chairman & Founder, Blueprint Interiors

UKSPA Webinar: Preparing for the return to the workplace
2020-05-14 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

As part of an easing of lockdown, the webinar will debate the Government’s exit strategy, the partial loosening of lockdown and its implications. The webinar panel will discuss the preparations being made in a variety of UKSPA member locations as the lockdown loosens. Panellists will consider this week’s government advice on ensuring that the workplaces, which are being allowed to reopen, are as safe as possible and will discuss the practical application of the guidance.
Speakers include:
Glenn Crocker, MBE, UKSPA Chairman
Mark Tock, Operations Director, Nexus Leeds
Andrew Tipper, Partner, Cushman & Wakefield
Dave Hockton, MIRA Technology Park
All webinars are free to members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

UKSPA Webinar: Business support for a remote audience
2020-05-11 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This session will look at how a number of UKSPA members are delivering business support during lockdown and at the preparations that are being made for a partial loosening of social distancing. Issues such as remote coaching, virtual mentoring and adapting other business support services to those working remotely are being delivered.
It will also be an opportunity to consider the opportunities – as well as challenges – that remote business support will have for innovation locations in the future and the changing working patterns that may well emerge in the future.
Speaker Panel:

Wendy Tindsley, Innovation Director, Oxford Innovation
Jo Stevens, Managing Director, Oxford Innovation
Ian McFadzen CEO, Plymouth Science Park
John Leake Business Development Manager at Sci-Tech Daresbury
Joe Caine, Smart Innovation Hub Manager, Keele University Science and Innovation Park

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

UKSPA Webinar: Business Rates and Covid-19
2020-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
An opportunity to learn from an expert panel of UKSPA members about the latest issues relating to business rates, void rates amid the impact of Covid-19 … plus an opportunity to ask the speakers questions and contribute to the debate.
Speakers:
Richard New – Partner, Mills and Reeve
Barry Sankey – Consultant, Wright Hassell
Dan Green – Associate, Flude Commercial
Paul Carver – Director, Granby Martin
Member Panel:
Tom Blount – Lincoln Science and Innovation Park
David Grindrod – University of Warwick Science Park
Free for UKSPA members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

UKSPA Member Conference, Nexus, Leeds
2020-03-05 - 2020-03-06 | venue, Nexus, University of Leeds, Leeds, England, LS2 3AA, United Kingdom
UKSPA Spring Conference, Nexus University of Leeds LS2 3AA
The UKSPA Spring Conference will be held on 5 and 6 March 2020 at Nexus, University of Leeds.
UKSPA will gather on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March at Nexus, University of Leeds. The two days will consider and debate current national and regional trends for the science and innovation sector, sustainability, business growth and innovation support, collaborative environments and opportunities, fostering economic growth and social progress, lessons and perspectives from the north and much more
As part of a packed agenda there are also speakers from the CBI, Channel 4, Transport for the North and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership alongside parallel sessions and discussion panels. For the current programme and timings please click here.
