Business Minister Tours Sci-Tech Daresbury

UK Business Minister Michael Fallon visited Sci-Tech Daresbury to tour the facilities and learn more about the work taking place at the science and innovation campus.

During his visit, Mr Fallon was given an overview of the site and met some of the 100 high-tech science and technology SME companies based there.

Mr Fallon was also shown around the UK’s most advanced centre for high performance computing, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre, at its Daresbury Laboratory.

The Hartree Centre is the world’s largest dedicated software development centre and is home to the most powerful supercomputer in the UK.

John Downes, Group Chief Executive of Langtree and Director of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Mr Fallon to the campus. In his dual roles as Business and Energy Minister, he is well-placed to appreciate the importance of developing and nurturing strong links between science and technology and industry to ensure sustainable economic growth.”

“At Sci-Tech Daresbury, we’re opening up access to world-leading technology to businesses of all sizes, and it’s this fusion of enterprise and world-class scientific research, which will provide a boost to the economy and allow the UK to remain at the forefront of scientific excellence and innovation globally.”

The campus is also home to STFC’s ground-breaking Daresbury Laboratory and the Cockcroft Institute which is an international centre for accelerator science and technology.

Sci-Tech Daresbury officially became an Enterprise Zone in April 2012 and is an integral part of a 20 year vision to create a ‘technology village’, housing hundreds of technology businesses and creating jobs for 15,000 people.

Graham Evans MP said:

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is a playing a key role in the wider economic development of the region and indeed the UK. It’s fantastic to see this flagship site, which is a brilliant example of world-class science, innovation and enterprise in the North West, going from strength to strength and continuing to grow and thrive.”

“Mr Fallon thoroughly enjoyed his visit to Sci-Tech Daresbury, and the insight it provided into the leading work taking place at the campus.”

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a private-public sector joint venture between property company Langtree, STFC and Halton Borough Council. The Universities of Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester are all active partners on the site.

Regarded as one of Europe’s leading centres for innovation and business, Sci-Tech Daresbury is a national science and innovation campus and flagship Enterprise Zone site, situated between Liverpool and Manchester.