NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2019
SPECIALIST SPORTS ENGINEERING FACILITY OPENS AT SILVERSTONE PARK
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NEW 138,000 SQ FT SPEC SCHOOLS CAREERS METROLOGY FACILITY GOOD GAME! DEVELOPMENT UNVEILED PROGRAMME EXPANDS SUPPORTING TECH SMEs OCCUPIERS CONTEST IN YEAR 2 & START-UPs ANNUAL SPORTS EVENING
www.silverstone-park.com To read the full versions of each article please visit silverstone-park.com/media/latest-news BUSINESS BUSINESS WELCOME A cutting edge sports engineering facility The opening attracted coverage on the for world class athletes has officially BBC’s Look East and South TV outlets, ‘Olympic’ sports opened at Silverstone Park. plus BBC Radio Northampton (a combined It was great to take part in the official opening audience of about 800,000 people). It’s about taking a ceremony of the Silverstone Sports Engineering The 26,400 sq ft Silverstone Sports Hub (SSEH), having worked closely with Rob Engineering Hub (SSEH) – which includes TotalSim MD Rob Lewis believes the fantastic world class brand like Lewis of TotalSim to support the creation of engineering hub two wind tunnels, a sports fabrics Hub could attract summer and winter Silverstone and the amazing this new specialist facility at Silverstone Park. R&D centre and 3D printing – is Olympians and Paralympians. facilities that are here and the brainchild of Brackley based The opening of this new building is part of Rob says: “Funding from Buckinghamshire then promoting this to people aerodynamics and computational a growing trend where companies providing officially opens at Local Enterprise Partnership and fluid dynamics specialist TotalSim. at school or in business and specialist services to the engineering community government has enabled us to lift our want to base their facilities at Silverstone inspiring them to consider how It is part of a wider 125,000 sq ft vision to enable small businesses in Park. We are now home to two such facilities: Silverstone Park speculative development by Silverstone sports engineering to have a presence to interact with the facility and the Hexagon Metrology Facility within the Park developer MEPC within the here, use the facilities and take their benefit from it.. Innovation Centre and now this computational Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone. ideas into business. fluid dynamics and aerodynamics facility (SSEH). Roz Bird, Commercial Director, Both facilities are sector agnostic, raise the SSEH also acts as an ‘incubator’ for “MEPC has also been highly supportive in Silverstone Park & Chair, Silverstone game of our engineering community, small tech businesses to press ahead that vision and the business offering it has Technology Cluster will inspire our young people and create with growth ambitions by taking created at Silverstone Park made it the enormous potential for the future. advantage of the Hub’s facilities. obvious location to develop our hub.” I am also in advanced talks with a number of other companies looking to provide further specialist facilities at Silverstone Park, in the next 24 months. Silverstone is an important development area for Bucks It is absolutely right, therefore, that we should LEP – one which encompasses our Aylesbury Vale Enterprise be building more industrial units, workshops Zone – and we enthusiastically support the new Silverstone and R&D facilities for our community – starting Sports Engineering Hub. We are proud to provide Local on site this month (October) with our latest phase of development totalling 138,000 sq ft. Growth Funds of £2m to help establish this Hub…
In addition, I’m really pleased to report that Richard Harrington, during the course of the last 12 months we have Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership remained 98% let, despite dealing with over 100,000 sq ft of ‘lease events’ (lease ends and breaks). This is a really good sign that companies want to stay at Silverstone Park and that, where units have become vacant, they have been let easily, to a waiting list of companies. Due to all this positive activity, it is great to be able to announce that the MEPC team at Silverstone Park is expanding with Ruth Williams becoming part of the asset management team and Chris Kimber-Nickelson taking on the delivery of the development programme. I will be at the Advanced Engineering Show on the 30th and 31st October so if you operate in high-tech engineering and/or manufacturing please do visit our VIP Lounge – it would be good to meet you and hear about your business’s needs and aspirations, and to see if you can benefit from joining our thriving business community.
ROZ BIRD COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
02 To read the full versions of each article please visit silverstone-park.com/media/latest-news Tel: 01327 856000 | www.silverstone-park.com 03 BUSINESS BUSINESS
“Moving to the next level” – Technology Cluster MEPC reveals new 138,000 sq ft spec development membership hits century The Silverstone Technology Cluster has CEO Pim van Baarsen says: “To achieve broken through the ‘100 members’ this figure in two and a half years is barrier, with 105 registered at the end testament to the demand for an of September. organisation like STC and also the value MEPC has released details of the next speculative phase of Additionally, MEPC has planning consent and detailed design that people see in it. development at its high-tech business estate Silverstone Park, for a further 120,000 sq ft including four large detached units A breakdown revealed a healthy mix which will include nine new units providing 138,000 sq ft of all in prominent locations along the Dadford Road, opposite the This is our largest and of technology-led enterprises: “We’ve got a tremendous renewal rate industrial/workshop premises. Silverstone Circuit’s Wing building and new five-star Hilton Hotel. which for me is perhaps even more most significant phase of • 21% are software experts positive. People are keen to continue to The development follows the success of the most recent MEPC’s Roz Bird, Commercial Director at Silverstone Park, development to date at • 18% offer complete engineering be a part of this – that is a really speculative industrial scheme, which attracted ten new comments: “This latest development is the first under MEPC’s Silverstone Park… solutions powerful statement.” advanced engineering companies to Silverstone Park. new outline consent and will take Silverstone Park to the next level in terms of range of units and the number of companies Jamie Catherall, DTRE • 16% provide engineering services It is also within the Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone meaning and people joining the Silverstone Park business community.” that qualifying occupiers can claim business rates relief of up to • 14% are innovation and research £55,000 per annum for five years. specialists All units benefit from MEPC’s investment in new gas to site, • 11% offer design, simulation and 21MVA of power and pure fibre broadband. We feel this next stage of development modelling expertise A new spine road will also be constructed at the same time as will be a ‘game changer’ in terms of the Other business expertise including the new buildings. This new road will open up remaining land perception of the commercial offering. electronics, additive manufacturing within the Enterprise Zone which is ready for development. and composites was also included. The construction phase is due to start imminently and complete Jon Silversides, Carter Jonas Silverstone Park is a founding in early summer 2020. member of the STC and its Commercial Director Roz Bird is also STC Chair. Above: the team behind the development including representatives from MEPC, Ridge and Partners LLP, Barnwood Construction Limited, Glanville Consultants, Mainer Associates, Anthony Stiff Associates and Michael Sparkes Associates.
Join the Cluster, take advantage!
Joining the STC membership, which now totals 105 influential companies in engineering and business growth, could not be easier. Visit the silverstonetechnologycluster.com website to see who has joined so far. Tech companies of all sizes are encouraged to attend the STC’s special interest group meetings and Annual Conference. Email CEO Pim van Baarsen at [email protected] for more details.
The latest scheme includes: • 6 new terraced units (no. 1140-1145) totalling 55,000 sq ft and ranging in size from 6,000 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft • 3 detached industrial units (no. 1502, 1504 and 1506) totalling 85,000 sq ft and ranging in size from 18,000 sq ft STC FOUNDING MEMBERS: to 40,000 sq ft The units, built to ‘shell and core’ standard, will include: • Prominent parking areas • Smart arrival entrance leading to a reception area with toilets and stairs, in turn leading to first floor offices • First floor offices with lighting, heating/cooling
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Arc urged to consider Expansion for schools/careers programme STC increases ‘multiplier effect’ Year 2 of Silverstone Park’s ‘Inspiration for with I4I’s volunteer businesses – smashing to 50 employer and university volunteers presence at Innovation’ (I4I) schools/career pathways the original target of 1,000. engaging with their students.” programme with Gaia Innovation will aim Silverstone Park Commercial Director Roz Bird’s call for For Year 2 that has been upped to 5,000. a cross-industry ‘super cluster’ in the Oxford-Milton Advanced to achieve 5,000 ‘meaningful encounters’ Keynes-Cambridge Arc has been further welcomed with teenage students. Silverstone Park Commercial Director Roz Bird comments: “The I4I programme We need to enable by politicians and developers. Engineering Sponne School, Towcester joins has been well received by local schools The Buckingham School and Kingsthorpe students to dream... We live in Roz was speaking at an Arc conference held by and our occupiers. We wanted to find Show College, Northampton as a partner an area of high tech businesses the Westminster Business Forum (WBF) whose a way to help our companies that said school, the University of Buckingham public policy discussions are frequented by they were worried about the future skills with a wealth of opportunities; Silverstone Technology Cluster becomes a co-sponsor of the programme politicians. pipeline, and this programme will make a when students see this they (STC) and its members will have an with Silverstone Park developer MEPC “I think we’re really missing a trick if we just difference over the long term.” increased presence at the Advanced and the number of participating can aspire to be the next call it the Oxford-Cambridge Arc,” said Roz, Engineering Show at NEC Birmingham volunteer businesses has grown to 23. Gaia Innovation CEO Julia Muir said that generation of entrepreneurs, re-emphasising her preference for a ‘UK High (30-31 October). extra funding from the University of I4I gives schools and students direct scientists, technicians, Tech Super Cluster’ title. Buckingham “enables us to grow from Supported by founding member access to business professionals – or ‘real engineers etc. MEPC’s development of Silverstone Park – one to three Inspiration for Innovation Silverstone Park, the STC will again models’ – to better inform them about particularly in collaboration, networking and events, so that each participating school Iain Massey, Headteacher, Sponne School sponsor the event’s popular VIP Lounge career pathways. building a sense of community – had, Roz and have a new ‘Innovation Zone’ will be hosting an amazing event with up explained, helped to create the Silverstone for member businesses to showcase In Year 1, 2,643 students reported some Technology Cluster of which she is also Chair. their technologies. 2,600 ‘meaningful encounters’ (98%) “It isn’t just about high-tech activity (in the These will include: Hexagon Arc),” she added. “It’s about the ‘multiplier Manufacturing Intelligence, Symetri, effect’. If you support R&D and innovation Sandwell, Thermal Issues Ltd, Voxeljet, and business growth, you support all of the University of Birmingham and professional services and people that serve Silverstone Composites. that community.” STC CEO Pim van Baarsen comments: As recorded by WBF, Oxford East MP “The VIP Lounge is the place for and Shadow Treasury Minister Anneliese professionals to network with our Dodds enthused: “That was a really members and hear how they benefit inspirational idea, and another new title of from what the STC is achieving across a course, the UK’s High Tech Super Cluster, wide variety of technology sectors and which is quite inspiring.” industry at large including neighbouring clusters and government.”
New appointments! Networking events “keeping MEPC’s Silverstone Park has expanded its Chris says: “My role is the delivery of new management team to add further value infrastructure and new accommodation for business occupiers. in line with MEPC’s planning consent tech community up to speed” across the site… it’s immediately ‘full on’ Ruth Williams, formerly Marketing & with the start of our new 138,000 sq ft Jon Hilton is the latest senior engineering Jon’s audience comprised individuals Occupier Liaison Officer, has become development phase.” figure to praise Silverstone Park’s from high tech engineering and Junior Asset Manager. networking events for tech businesses. manufacturing, plus professional services Chris Kimber-Nickelson, part of MEPC’s such as banking, law and marketing. Jon is MD of Park-based business original Silverstone Park team in 2013-14, Lunaz Design which is leading the way Keen on encouraging young engineering returns as Senior Development Manager. in converting luxury classic cars to talent, Jon commented: “The networking Both will report to Commercial Director electric power. opportunity is obvious but these types of Roz Bird. event keep people up to speed with things. He previously founded world class hybrid Ruth comments: “I’ll still be involved in flywheel technology specialist Flybrid “Likewise, they see that skills someone the marketing which I’ve always enjoyed, (now PUNCH Flybrid) also at the estate – like me had in a different era and culture but the new challenges are exciting… and after helping to design F1 title-winning are completely transferable to modern I couldn’t have a better mentor than Roz!” engines for Cosworth and Renault. day thinking…”
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Mini Remastered production increases Top business awards for Silverstone Park and occupier Longhurst Ltd at Silverstone Park Silverstone Park and one of its occupier businesses, Longhurst Ltd, both collected Luxury niche vehicle manufacturer twist on the motoring icon – using latest Edition which can cost upwards of awards at September’s SME South David Brown Automotive is to increase engineering techniques and materials but £625,000.00. Northamptonshire Business Awards. production of its Mini Remastered model also traditional ‘coachbuilding’ methods. David Brown Automotive’s 18,000 sq The business estate was runner-up in the at its Silverstone Park premises with the An estimated 50 Mini Remastered models ft premises are part of a 125,000 sq ft Business of the Year category. addition of a special edition of the car. (c.£90,000.00) will have been built by development completed at Silverstone Occupier Longhurst, an independent The Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition the end of this year – exports include Park in 2018. financial planner, won ‘Best Website’. will be limited to just 60 models when Hong Kong, Australia, the Middle East This is within the Enterprise Zone – as is it goes into production early next year and the USA – and the company hopes to Silverstone Park Commercial Director a new 138,000 sq ft speculative scheme (to commemorate the Mini car’s 60th produce 100 of them in 2020. (and Silverstone Technology Cluster just unveiled by estate developer MEPC anniversary). Chair) Roz Bird was also a finalist in The car is manufactured alongside the (see story, pages 4-5). This can give the Business Person of the Year as was The business already manufactures the business’s Sixties-inspired ‘grand tourer’ qualifying businesses up to £55,000 of another occupier, tech recruitment Mini Remastered model – a modern day Speedback GT and Speedback Silverstone rates relief per year. agency TD Group, in the Customer Service category. Roz says: “It’s six years since MEPC took over management of Silverstone Park and to come so close to a ‘best business’ award at a highly recognised event is further recognition of the huge strides that have been made in that time in developing the estate into a global business destination. Pictured above are Silverstone Park Junior Asset Manager Ruth Williams, Commercial “Many congratulations to winner of the Director Roz Bird and Media Officer Carl award Fortitude Financial Planning and McKellar at the SME South Northants also to Longhurst and TD Group…” Business Awards
Coffee and cake morning raises Metrology Facility “a successful money for Macmillan charity
asset for UK tech industry” Over £200 was donated by occupier developer MEPC for occupiers and their businesses at Silverstone Park when staff based at the estate. Silverstone Park’s Metrology Facility Its facility at Silverstone Park – opened multifunctional support for businesses in the estate hosted its annual Macmillan It follows a fun popular sports evening has received high praise from Hexagon in 2016 in collaboration with estate tech innovation and manufacturing. Coffee Morning. Manufacturing Intelligence’s UK boss developer MEPC – grants tech SMEs and (see separate story, page 11). As we went “This extends to supporting smaller David Brown. start-up businesses access to state-of- As ever, a number of tasty home made to press, next up were a quiz night plus a businesses by offering them training and the-art measuring equipment. treats were entered into the event’s second fundraising activity, Wear It Pink. David was speaking at Hexagon’s own key networking opportunities as they ‘bake-off’. HxGN LOCAL Smart Manufacturing David commented: “In just over three look to innovate and grow – activity at conference at Warwickshire’s Belfry and years, our metrology facility with our Silverstone Park facility has been After much debating, judges awarded attended by professionals across life Silverstone Park developer MEPC already exceptional in both of these areas.” first prize – a cake stand – to Daniela sciences, tech and manufacturing. stands as a successful asset for the UK Dimitrova, a Database Programmer for tech industry. SalesOut, for her divine banana Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence cake (pictured). is the world leader in the science of “The Hexagon name is recognised metrology (precision measurement). globally for its excellence in The Macmillan Coffee Morning – one of thousands held during the week in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support – was the latest social event organised by Silverstone Park
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Superbike School tuition advancing Claire Major motorsport battery contract Lomas towards TT ambition for occupier Delta
Silverstone Park based California Other endeavours – including single laps “But it’s more than just the help with the Silverstone Park’s growing reputation Superbike School (CSS) is working with of circuits at British Superbike events – riding – they are genuinely enthusiastic as a hub for electric and hybrid vehicle paraplegic ambassador Claire Lomas MBE have enabled her to raise over £700,000 and love what they do.” technology has been further enhanced by to help her achieve her ambition of riding in aid of paralysis research and care. news that occupier Delta Motorsport will Fellow Silverstone Park business Ducati a lap of the famous Isle of Man TT course supply batteries for new hybrid systems CSS, among the world’s top names in UK, a partner of CSS’s, has donated in aid of charity. being introduced into one of the world’s teaching advanced bike riding techniques a bike – one of its 933cc, 130hp biggest motorsport arenas. Claire had already gained her ACU (including some names at MotoGP level), Supersport S models – which has beginner’s licence in spite of being has been working with Claire to advance undergone technical modifications to Delta will design, develop and manufacture paralysed in a horse riding accident in her towards her goal of riding the 38- enable Claire to ride. the batteries for Cosworth’s hybrid 2007 when she was one of Britain’s top mile TT course. system that will be fitted to cars in the names in eventing. British Touring Car Championship in the And comments Claire: “They are amazing next couple of years. She is famously known for covering the and very much a part of my attempt at a London Marathon course in 17 days lap of the TT. Delta Co-Founder Simon Dowson wearing a ‘ReWalk’ robotic suit. comments: “Essentially we are a component partner to Cosworth in this. “But we will be able to utilise a technology It recently expanded at Silverstone Park “It is a very sophisticated battery that Delta has been developing in a high by over 10,000 sq ft – taking its overall system that’s required – motorsport performance vehicle application.” ‘footprint’ on site to 18,500 sq ft – and environments and requirements are a now employs nearly 50 full-time staff. challenge and the duty cycle that the Delta is already renowned globally for its battery system goes through is a lot electric and hybrid vehicle technologies in greater than in a road vehicle. the automotive, marine and defence sectors.
Victory for Baumot in annual games!
Baumot (UK) was the winner of The sports evening is part of the calendar Ruth Williams, Junior Asset Manager Silverstone Park’s fun sports evening of popular social activities that MEPC for Silverstone Park, comments: for occupiers – the latest social event to arranges for occupiers to promote a “A sense of community is very important be arranged by the business estate for sense of community amongst businesses for businesses when choosing where companies on site and their staff. at the Park. to locate to and customer feedback is something we take seriously in shaping Six teams represented by seven It follows a popular annual summer the offering at Silverstone Park.” businesses on site took part in disciplines BBQ held in July. On-going are weekly that included egg and spoon, sack, fitness ‘boot camp’ and five-a-side See page 12 for our up-coming social wheelbarrow, three-legged and space football sessions. and business networking events. hopper races, penalty shoot-out, ‘welly wanging’ and tug o’ war.
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MEET THE TEAM: Social committee Heather Faulkner, Please contact Ruth Williams for PA to Commercial Director further information: 01327 856002 or [email protected] The phrase “never a dull moment” can often be misplaced but not in the case of Heather Faulkner, since March the Personal Assistant to Silverstone Park’s Commercial Director Roz Bird. “I’d say that Roz is the busiest person I’ve ever worked for,” says Heather whose previous PA roles have been in engineering and finance.
“But being busy goes with the territory at Silverstone Park Advanced Occupier – there is always something happening because it is a very Engineering Show Christmas Lunch pro-active team of people and Roz is very much in demand.” Weds 30-Thurs 31 October Tuesday 17 December VIP Lounge Silverstone Park Away from work, mum-of-two and owner of a rescue dog NEC, Birmingham Innovation Centre (a Labradoodle) Heather is sitting an interior design course. “I’m really into my DIY like plastering and painting. I enjoy getting my hands dirty.” Travelling, too: Heather’s flown over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter and driven the famous Route 66 during a road trip through California. “The Grand Canyon has got definite wow factor, but Hollywood… a bit trashy.” Hollywood links us to another fact about Heather… “I was pals with the actress Anne-Marie Duff – we went to the same school and ended up working in a bakery together.” Christmas Market Boot Camp Heather also fancies doing a skydive. And she thinks she’s Tuesday 26 November 17:30-18:30 quite dull! Silverstone Park Every Thursday Innovation Centre Silverstone Park Grounds
High quality units from Weekly Five-a-Side 6,000 sq ft to over 40,000 sq ft School visit - Inspiration Football AVAILABLE TO LET for Innovation 17:30-18:30 Thursday 5 December Every Wednesday Visit our website for further information or see contacts below. The Buckingham School Silverstone UTC
CONTACTS AVAILABILITY ENQUIRIES: Jamie Catherall DTRE Jon Silversides Carter Jonas CURRENT OCCUPIERS: Tel: 020 3328 9097 Tel: 01865 404458
Michael Peck Charlie Wing DTRE Edward Lifely Carter Jonas Estate Facilities Manager Tel: 020 3328 9113 Tel: 01865 404459 Tel: 01327 856000 MEPCSilverstonePark
MEPC Silverstone Park MEDIA ENQUIRIES: @SilverstonePark Innovation Centre, Silverstone Park, Carl McKellar Silverstone Park Press Officer SilverstonePark Towcester NN12 8GX Mob: 07786 138 905
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