Pictured: from left, Jo Stevens, Managing Director at Oxford Innovation Space, which is an UKSPA member, and, from Fareham Borough Council, Andy Wannell, Chief Executive, and Councillor Simon Martin, Leader.
A regional superhub for innovation businesses in south Hampshire has been awarded a new management contract by the building’s owner.
Purpose-built Fareham Innovation Centre, which opened in April 2015, is home to 60 companies from a range of gateway industries such as aviation, aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing and marine.
The centre is operated by Oxford Innovation Space, which runs the largest network of innovation centres across the UK and Ireland, on behalf of Fareham Borough Council.
Following a competitive tender, Oxford Innovation Space, an UKSPA member, has been awarded the contract by the council to continue running operations.
Part of the wider Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone for pioneering businesses, the centre has 55 offices, 20 workshops, meeting rooms and a conference/events suite, with complimentary in-house strategic business support for occupiers.
Councillor Simon Martin, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “Oxford Innovation has played a pivotal role in the success of Fareham Innovation Centre since day one.
“Their expertise, commitment and partnership with the council have helped businesses flourish, supported jobs and enhanced the reputation of Daedalus as an outstanding place to grow and innovate. Renewing their contract ensures that this success will continue long into the future.”
Jo Stevens, Managing Director at Oxford Innovation Space, said: “Fareham Innovation Centre has grown into a dynamic, supportive environment for businesses, and the next decade presents exciting opportunities to build on that success.
“Our long-standing relationship with Fareham Borough Council has generated significant inward investment for the area, with the centre supporting 188 businesses to date and the creation of 1,065 jobs so far.
“With 60 resident businesses, and 350 people working on site, the centre has become a regional superhub for innovation and employment, with the positive economic impact felt in local supply chains.
“To date, 545 businesses have received tailored business support through us, and 49 businesses have gone on to graduate from here, with their success requiring additional workspace outside of the centre.
“A number of graduates have stayed local, moving into commercial property within the vibrant Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone, further fuelling economic growth.
“The continued stewardship will ensure the centre remains a hub of enterprise, supporting the growth of local businesses and strengthening the wider Daedalus economic area.”
Such was the demand from start-ups and early-stage businesses, the serviced workspace building was extended three years on in 2018, more than doubling the footprint to 36,375 sq ft.
An example of innovation Fareham Innovation Centre includes a world-first robotics system, which retrieves newly manufactured hard drives from storage stacks for automated shipment – it was designed and built on site from scratch in just 11 months.
