January 28, 2025
Sci-Tech Daresbury’s MCS experiences significant growth since move from capital
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has seen considerable growth in recent years, with 2024 set to see more certified renewable installations registered with the Scheme than any previous year
- Staff numbers have grown from two to 68 since MCS joined campus in 2018, creating roles for local people
- Expansion of team includes brand new functions to deliver redeveloped MCS in 2025
MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technology, has revealed details of its significant growth since relocating to the national science and innovation campus, Sci-Tech Daresbury, from London in 2018.
MCS sets product and installation standards for small-scale renewable energy technologies, such as solar PV, biomass, heat pumps, and wind. Its purpose is to give everyone confidence in home-grown energy, by raising standards and providing consumer protection for those investing in low carbon systems.
After initially relocating to the Innovation Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, the company invested in a move to the brand-new, high-specification Violet 3 building in 2022 as its team started to grow from its base of two employees. The company is now at 68 employees – a figure that is still increasing.
Crucially, the majority of new employees have been recruited from the local area, and a significant proportion of these are either graduates from nearby universities or apprentices from local colleges. This underpins MCS’s position as a top employer for young, high-potential talent from the North West, with the company reporting that Sci-Tech Daresbury’s location between Manchester and Liverpool has proven vital in attracting the best young talent.
A commitment to supporting the local economy has also seen the company engage with nearby suppliers, whether its local fresh produce from the farm next door or Sci-Tech Daresbury Gold Partner Asset Lifecycle Solutions for I.T. asset disposal.
The company is also experiencing international expansion, with the recent introduction of its second product certification body to be based outside of Europe – Intertek Shanghai. MCS has identified the convenient location near to major international airports as a significant help in working with international partners.
The small-scale renewables sector is at a critical juncture and is set to grow significantly over the next few years as the UK works towards net zero targets. 2024 saw more installations registered with MCS than in any previous year. To meet this demand and continue driving up standards, MCS is redeveloping, and the changes (which are due to launch in 2025) will make the Scheme clearer, fairer, and more transparent for everyone involved in the renewables journey. It is a step change for the sector that will fundamentally alter the relationship between installers, consumers and MCS.
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “Sci-Tech Daresbury is an accelerator of growth and innovation, and MCS has benefitted hugely from being able to call the site its home. It’s great to be able to collaborate with other like-minded businesses on site – for example, we’ve undertaken a project with The Hartree Centre to look at how they can support us to analyse our data to identify trends and take action.
“The culture of innovation at MCS has aligned perfectly with the environment created by its location, and MCS is proud to be driving forward meaningful careers in the innovative small-scale renewable sector right here in the North West.
“From a brand-new consumer-focused helpdesk team, through to increasing the number of on-the-road technical assessors, MCS is set to expand its workforce over the next 18 months. As the office becomes busier, this will require more space, and it is testament to the positive impact of Sci-Tech Daresbury that there is no consideration of leaving the site. With potentially available floor space in surrounding buildings and the Sci-Tech Daresbury site due for expansion, it means MCS can continue to grow with the park as it embarks upon its next chapter.”
John Leake, Business Growth Director, Sci-Tech Daresbury said: “MCS truly exemplifies our ‘home for life’ ethos, and the company’s growth since arriving on campus has been quite staggering. The technology the company oversees is increasingly vital as sustainable solutions become more integral to day-to-day life, and it’s an honour to support this exciting company in its operations. It’s especially pleasing to see the company embracing collaborative and innovative opportunities through partnership with other organisations on the campus as well the fact that their growth has had such a positive impact on the local community, creating valuable jobs for so many people in the Liverpool City Region.”
About Sci-Tech Daresbury
Sci-Tech Daresbury is the home of pioneering science, technology and business. It creates the conditions for ambitious businesses to accelerate growth and deliver real-world impact by solving the challenges of tomorrow.
Located in the Liverpool City Region, the campus combines world-class science infrastructure – including particle accelerators and supercomputers – and a collaborative community, tailored business support and state-of -the-art office and laboratory space. Its “Home for Life” offering provides the perfect business location for technology companies to scale their business.
Entrepreneurs and scaling businesses sit alongside international giants to innovate, collaborate with world-leading scientists and academics, other businesses, and gain access to new markets around the globe while attracting and retaining the industry’s brightest minds. Our Talent and Skills strategy RADAR, helps campus companies more effectively attract, develop and retain the talent they need.
Originally established in 2006, in December 2010 a new private-public joint-venture partnership was created to spearhead the longer-term development of the campus. Partners in the private-public joint-venture partnership are developers Langtree, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and Halton Borough Council.
Sci-Tech Daresbury opened its Violet development on campus in 2022. Violet encompasses two buildings (V2 and V3) providing 12,000 sq ft each and one building (V1) of 19,000 sq ft. Each building entails floor plates of around 4,300 to 6,300 sq ft. The complex is already 90% occupied, owing to existing campus firms that scaled up – including ORCHA, Peak Technology Solutions and MCS – and international leaders that made it their new UK/EMEA base, including Geek+ and Blackmagic Design.
Violet Phase Two will be part of the recently announced Liverpool City Region Life Sciences and Healthcare Investment Zone. V4 measures c. 23,000 sq ft and will expand the availability of Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Grade A office accommodation, V5, meanwhile, is a c.60,000 sq ft dedicated CL2-enabled laboratory facility delivering much needed high quality laboratory space to the Liverpool City Region. Both buildings have been planned to achieve BREEAM Excellent and will be designed to maximise biodiversity. The scheme is targeting to achieve up to a 25% bio-diversity net gain with the inclusion of green roofs and a comprehensive planting scheme. Both buildings will benefit from a range of occupier incentives as part of the Investment Zone including business rates relief and National Insurance contribution holidays.
With energy costs constantly rising and climate change affecting us all – low-carbon technology has a bigger and bigger role to play in the future of UK energy. MCS is here to ensure it’s a positive one.
We are the UK’s quality mark for renewable energy technologies like solar panels and heat pumps that are installed in homes and small businesses. Our role is to set clear product and installation standards and protect consumers – giving everyone confidence in home-grown energy.
We are owned by The MCS Foundation, a charitable trust set up to oversee our critical standards work. Any surplus income from our Scheme goes directly into programmes that support the renewable energy sector as we drive towards a Net Zero future.
