University of Warwick Science Park
The University of Warwick Science Park (also known as UWSP and Warwick Science Park) was one of the first university based science parks in the United Kingdom when it was opened by the Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher in 1984.[2] It was a joint venture between the University of Warwick, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Barclays. The latter are no longer shareholders having been replaced by WM Enterprise. The University of Warwick agreed in 2011 to purchase the shareholding of Coventry City Council.[3] The acquisition was completed in 2012 and today the Science Park is wholly owned by the University of Warwick. UWSP currently covers four sites; the main campus abutting the University of Warwick, the Business Innovation Centre in Binley, Warwick Innovation Centre on Warwick Technology Park and Blythe Valley Innovation Centre near Solihull.
Company type
Private (Limited liability)
1984
David Grindrod, Chief Operating Officer
Property
Incubation
Technical Marketing[1]
Business Angel Network
Innovation Consultancy
25
UWSP typically provides office, workshop and lab space for up to 150 businesses.
History[edit]
The University of Warwick Science Park was established in 1982 by the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, Lord Butterworth.[4] The first building, the Barclay's Venture Centre (now the Venture Centre) was formally opened by UK Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher on 24 February 1984. In 2004, UWSP was awarded the 'Incubator of the Year' award by UKBI.[5] The founding Director of UWSP, David Rowe, was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2006.[6] In 2012 the University of Warwick acquired sole ownership of the Science Park.
Facilities[edit]
University of Warwick[edit]
The University of Warwick Science Park’s main 42-acre campus is centred on the Venture Centre. It includes a further twenty buildings, some of which are owner occupied whilst others are leased. Many of the buildings on UWSP's campus are named after old British car models.
The main buildings include:
The Venture Centre
Herald Court
Sovereign Court
Riley Court
Vanguard Centre
Viscount Centres
Warwick Innovation Centre[edit]
Warwick Innovation Centre opened at Warwick Technology Park in 1997 as a joint venture between UWSP and Warwickshire County Council. Further developments followed in 1999 & 2001 providing 45,000 sq ft (4,200 m2) of lettable space.
Business Innovation Centre[edit]
The 34,000 sq ft (3,200 m2) Business Innovation Centre at Binley, Coventry opened in April 2000 as a joint venture between UWSP and Coventry City Council.
Blythe Valley Innovation Centre[edit]
UWSP manages the 30,000 sq ft (3,000 m2) Innovation Centre at Blythe Valley Business Park on behalf of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Prologis and British Land.