UKSPA Spring Conference 2025
Exeter Science Park - Thurs 13th March & Friday 14th March 2025 Register Today
UKSPA members and stakeholders will gather at Exeter Science Park, on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March, for the UKSPA Spring Conference 2025. The Conference will be hosted by Exeter Science Park, with the plenary sessions taking place at their dedicated conferencing facilities. There will also be opportunities to tour their state-of-the-art facilities.
Throughout the two days, leading speakers from the UKSPA network and key partners and stakeholders will discuss in-depth the challenges, opportunities, and innovative ways the sector continues to engage, inspire, and grow through a series of plenary and best practice sessions.
In addition to hearing from numerous key stakeholders in the South West and nationally, the Spring Conference will be looking at subjects including, Funding Beyond the Golden Triangle, Effective and Sustainable Incubation Ecosystems, The Journey to Net Zero Carbon Science, Sustainable Facilities and Infrastructure, The Procurement Challenge in Volatile Markets and much more!
About Our Hosts
Exeter Science Park, located in the heart of the South West, situated close to the vibrant city of Exeter, is easily accessible from (J29)M5, Exeter Airport and the rail network. Located within a region known for its natural beauty and quality of life, Exeter Science Park offers a unique work environment that combines professional opportunities with a high quality of life for employees and their families.
It is a premier destination for STEMM innovation and business growth. and offers state-of-the-art EPC A+ offices, laboratories, and coworking spaces with flexible leases. Businesses benefit from business growth support, acceleration and innovation support through SetSquared Exeter/Exeter Innovation, networking events, conferencing facilities, and through its partnerships with local universities and research institutions, the park facilitates collaborations that bridge the gap between academic research and commercial applications.
Sustainability is at the heart of Exeter Science Park. The Park provides sustainable office and lab space and a commitment to a net zero carbon footprint, encouraging the use of sustainable transport wherever possible.
Both the Ada Lovelace and George Parker Bidder Buildings at the Park are net zero carbon. The new voco Zeal Hotel is a sustainable net zero carbon hotel and will be the conference hotel for the Spring Conference.
Current Agenda:
Thursday 13th March
11.00 – 12.30 Registration and Tours.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch, Networking and Exhibition
13.30 – 13.45 UKSPA Welcome – Dr Sally Basker, UKSPA Chair
13.45 – 14.15
Welcome from the Hosts and Stakeholders:
Speakers:
Nick Ames, Chair, Exeter Science Park Board of Directors
TBC, Devon County Council
14.15 – 14.30
Keynote: Stuart Brocklehurst, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Business Engagement and Innovation, University of Exeter
14.30 –15.30
Funding Beyond the Golden Triangle – Panel Session
Chair: Nick Sturge, MBE, UKSPA Honorary Member
Panelists:
Matthew Sampson, Regeneration Director, The Crown Estate
Melanie Goward, Partner, Maven Capital Partners
Jody Tableporter, Director, British Business Bank
15.30 – 15.45 – Coffee/Networking and Exhibition
15.45 –16.45
Is Net Zero Carbon Achievable in Laboratories?
Speakers:
Phil Macdonald, Managing Partner, Oberlanders Architects.
Tim Fry, Director, Business Leader Science UKIMEA, Arup
Gary Clark, Managing Director, HKS.
Alison Wring, Director Commercial Science/Tech Lead UK/I AECOM
16.45 – 18.00 Two Drifters Carbon Negative Rum – Talk and Tastings
19.00 – 19.45 Drinks Reception at Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park Hotel.
19.45 – 22.00 Dinner at Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park Hotel.
Kindly sponsored by Communicate Technology
Friday 14th March
8.30 – 9.00 Registration
9.00 – 10.00
The Future of Investment, Support & Mentoring
Chair: Caroline Fleming, Director at Surrey Innovation District
Speakers:
Marty Reid, Executive Director, SETsquared
Dan Pritchard, Co-Founder, Tech South-West
Neil Griffin, Business Support Director Oxford Innovation Space
Lucy Bennett, Ecosystem Lab Manager, Barclays Eagle Labs
10.00 – 10.30 Coffee/Networking and Exhibition
10.30 – 11.30
The Journey to Net Zero Carbon Science- members discuss the challenges and their journeys in getting to net zero.
Chair: Grant Bourhill, Managing Director, Barts Life Sciences
Speakers:
Sarah Windrum, Future mobility cluster, lead, Horiba MIRA
Oliver King, Development and Leasing Director, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst.
Laura Ludlow, Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve.
11.30 – 12.30
Keynotes:
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch, Networking, Exhibition
CLOSE
Tours – Exploring Exeter Science Park, Past, Present and Future
A walking tour of Exeter Science Park looking at the evolution of its buildings, from the first-generation structures that laid the foundation for innovation to the latest state-of-the-art facilities designed to support growing businesses.
Exeter Science Park was established to drive economic growth, innovation and collaboration in the south west by providing a dedicated hub for science and technology businesses and a dynamic environment for cutting-edge companies. The park has evolved in phases, with early buildings focused on providing flexible office and lab space, and newer developments incorporating sustainable design, high-tech infrastructure, and larger-scale facilities to support key governmental bodies.
As you walk around, you will have the opportunity to discuss future opportunities related to the proposed clusters, plans for further expansion, sustainability efforts, and the long-term vision of the park as a leading science and technology hub in the South West.
Through this tour, we will gain insight into how Exeter Science Park continues to evolve, supporting businesses at every stage and driving innovation for generations to come.
Directions by Car and Train
Travelling by Car: located strategically at the intersection of the South West’s major north-south (M5 and A38/A380) and east-west (A30) roads, within three miles of Exeter International Airport and within five miles of Exeter St David’s mainline railway station.
Visitor Parking:
Access to the Science Park site is via a secure barrier system and car parking operates a number plate recognition system.
Parking is available for visitors to the site; at the entrance barriers, visitors should buzz through to the Science Park Centre to be allowed access.
Electric vehicle charging points are also available on-site – see the ZapMap here.
Visitors can also use the nearby Park and Change car park.
Venue Address:
Science Park Centre, Babbage Way, Exeter Science Park, Clyst Honiton, Exeter, EX5 2FN
what3words: ///entrust.
Travelling by Train:
Exeter St David’s destinations include London (2 hours), Bristol (1.25 hours) and Birmingham (2.5 hours).
Travelling by Air
Exeter International Airport’s destinations include UK and European cities.
Taxis:
Exeter has an extensive network of Taxis, for those arriving at Exeter St David’s station you will find the Taxi rank at the station entrance.
Drinks Reception and Networking Dinner
A networking drinks reception and informal dinner, sponsored by Communicate, will be held on the evening of the 13th March.
Hotels
Accommodation will be available at the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park Hotel– a net zero carbon hotel. It has been designed to align with the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition of the UK Green Building Council.
The voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is thrilled to extend an exclusive preferential rate for the upcoming UKSPA annual conference. As a net zero carbon hotel, they are committed to providing exceptional hospitality while minimizing our environmental impact. Their eco-conscious approach is seamlessly integrated with solar panel technology, living trees on the ground floor, and an adiabatic heating & cooling system, ensuring your stay is both comfortable and responsible..
Hotel: voco Zeal Exeter
Booking: Please email info@vczealexeter.com with your arrival and departure dates, and any bedroom requirements or preferences. If you are travelling a little further, or looking to make a weekend of the trip, there are a small number of bedrooms available the night before, and the preferential rate can be extended to Sunday, subject to availability.
Arrival Date: 13th March 2025
Departure Date: 14th March 2025
Room Type: Standard
Single Occupancy B&B: £105 per night
Sponsorship and Exhibition
We have a number of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available, please contact Adrian Sell for more details.
Delegate Booking
The Spring Conference at Exeter has now reached capacity and we are operating a waiting list whereby any cancellations will be reallocated. To be added to the waiting list please email info@ukspa.org.uk
Event Partner
Event Partner
