Wilton Centre investment reveals ambition of owner
At an event to mark the completion of a £2m refurbishment of the Wilton Centre, invited guests were given the opportunity to see first-hand the ambitions for the centre and its sister properties.
As well as a range of new facilities, the Wilton Centre is under new ownership following the £120m merger between its former owner Trinity IM and BioCity Group.
The landmark deal has created a new company – We Are Pioneer Group (WAPG) – which is now the UK’s largest network of science and tech-focused businesses. It has nine science parks, comprising 2.6m sq ft, which are home to more than 600 hundred businesses.
Toby Reid, WAPG’s Executive Director, joined Tees Valley business leaders, Wilton Centre management, staff and occupiers as the new entrance, reception, restaurant and café were opened at the site near Redcar.
Toby Reid of WAPG, site director Steve Duffield, WAPG director Jeroen Houtzager and accommodation manager Claire Morton
“The focus for the science industry has been London-centric for far too long. Innovation happens around the UK,” he said. “Through an integrated approach of investment, venture development and real-estate, WAPG creates an ecosystem in which pioneering businesses can scale and grow.
“From the Wilton Centre, we will build meaningful links to the academics, governments, councils, researchers, and pharmaceutical firms that are critical for success.”
Mr Reid said that the centre was ideally positioned to benefit from the “turning on of the tap of investment” in the Tees Valley, with the creation of the Freeport and the re-location of Government jobs.
That, as well as the existence of legacy talent, represented “a superb, promising mixture and I hope that a lot of that bright future will happen here at the Wilton Centre.”
Existing and new businesses based at the Wilton Centre will benefit from WAPG’s pledge of “hassle free property” to allow them to concentrate on what they do best. They will be supported with access to investment, start-up and scale-up programmes and collaboration opportunities with businesses across WAPG’s networks of scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.
Creating opportunities to collaborate was one of the driving forces behind the refurbishment. The new reception area and restaurant, for example, feature numerous innovative meeting pods and co-working spaces. As people return to their workplace, the Wilton Centre is also ideal for hybrid working.
Wilton Centre accommodation manager Claire Morton and Jane Reynolds from Tees Valley Business Club try out a new meeting pod
Site director Steve Duffield said the investment will propel the centre forward. “It’s been well received by the occupiers who are going to use it and I think it will also attract more businesses,” he commented. “I’m really pleased with what we’ve achieved. With everything else happening in Teesside, I’m sure this will really take things on.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is a regular visitor to the Wilton Centre, meeting some of the innovative companies based there.
“It’s a jewel in our crown,” he said. “The Wilton Centre is already home to businesses who are world leaders in finding solutions to some of our biggest challenges – from coronavirus to plastic recycling – and that shows that if you want a rewarding career at the cutting edge of science you don’t have to move to Oxford, Cambridge or London.”
He added: “The new areas are on a par with anything you would see at the HQ of a big city business. They are bound to attract more businesses to the growing success story of the Wilton Centre and the Tees Valley.”
Coverage:
Northern Echo 23 September 2021
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/teesside-science-park-could-draw-21641692
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