UKRI CEO opens the new sustainable RICHeS Infrastructure Headquarters at Sci-Tech Daresbury

On Thursday 11 September 2025, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sir Ian Chapman officially opened the new sustainable Infrastructure Headquarters (IHQ) for the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme at the leading science and innovation campus, Sci-Tech Daresbury.

This landmark facility is more than an office; it is a model for future research workplaces, designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising collaboration, innovation and wellbeing. The opening represents a major milestone in the £80 million RICHeS programme, led by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is transforming the UK’s capacity for conservation and heritage science, equipping researchers and practitioners with equitable access to cutting-edge facilities, innovative collection and specialist expertise.

A new benchmark for green research infrastructure

The new RICHeS IHQ, located within the Violet phase 1 development at Sci-Tech Daresbury, in the Liverpool City Region, sets a national precedent for sustainable research infrastructure. Every element has been designed with low-carbon principles in mind, from the recycled and reclaimed materials used in its fit-out to the high-efficiency energy systems that power its day-to-day operations. Its design, which was highly commended at the Pagabo Awards 2025, and is a finalist at the UK Fit-Out Awards 2025 for its sustainability and health-focused credentials.

Key sustainable and wellbeing-focused features include:

• Biophilic design elements that bring natural materials and greenery indoors, reducing stress and improving comfort.
• Optimised air quality and ergonomic workspaces that boost productivity and health.
• Active travel connections with enhanced cycling, walking and public transport access to reduce commuting emissions.
• Adaptable, modular workspaces designed to reduce waste over time by evolving with the programme’s needs.

Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI CEO, said:

“The opening of RICHeS IHQ demonstrates UKRI’s commitment to investing in sustainable heritage infrastructure that supports research excellence across the UK. It will build long-lasting impact through regional job creation, upskilling and by leveraging additional funding.

“RICHeS is creating an extraordinary opportunity for collaboration between scientists, heritage experts and cultural organisations, ensuring the UK leads globally in conservation and heritage science.”

John Leake, Business Growth Director, Sci-Tech Daresbury, said:

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is proud to be the home of the new RICHeS Infrastructure Headquarters, a facility that exemplifies our vision of combining cutting-edge science with sustainable innovation. The opening of this headquarters reinforces our campus as a place where world-leading research and industry, collaborate and thrive together. By embedding RICHeS within our community of scientists, entrepreneurs and global companies, we are not only supporting the future of heritage science but also strengthening the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable, knowledge-driven growth.”

A national hub for heritage science

From this new low-carbon base, RICHeS will coordinate a UK-wide distributed network of facilities, expertise and collections, ensuring researchers across the four nations have equitable access to cutting-edge tools and knowledge. Through its first tranche of funding worth £37 million, RICHeS is supporting 31 projects, including 13 host collections, 17 host facilities and one host digital research service, the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS).

The programme is already delivering remarkable impacts:

• 58 new jobs created across funded projects
• 266 staff trained and/or upskilled, building national sector capacity
• £1.9 million in leveraged funding generated
• 1,158 individuals engaged through site visits, workshops and events

These achievements demonstrate RICHeS’ ability to deliver economic, skills and engagement benefits well ahead of the full operational launch in Autumn 2026.

Professor Meggen Gondek, Head of RICHeS IHQ, said:

“The opening of RICHeS’ IHQ is more than just a new office, it is the heart of a newly established UK-wide distributed research infrastructure. From here, we are coordinating world-class facilities, digital platforms and collaborative networks that are transforming how we care for and understand our heritage. We are proud that this headquarters, designed with sustainability and wellbeing at its core, symbolises the values that RICHeS stands for.”

During the event, Sir Ian Chapman toured the new RICHeS IHQ and met with researchers supported by RICHeS’ first tranche of funding. Demonstrations included portable technologies for in-situ heritage conservation, digital innovation in heritage science, and prototypes highlighting how advanced materials research is supporting sustainable conservation.

A global connector with a sustainable heart

Since March 2025, RICHeS IHQ has acted as the UK National Node for the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS ERIC). This connects UK researchers and heritage professionals to advanced facilities, expertise, and transnational training across Europe while integrating UK resources into the E-RIHS global catalogue.

Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of AHRC, said:

“RICHeS is a major investment by UKRI and AHRC in the concept that care for our past offers a path to sustainable growth for our future.  Bringing past present and future together, RICHeS IHQ will take the precious inheritance of past generations, apply today’s most cutting-edge technology in the most environmentally conscious ways to create innovative methods and discoveries for next generations to exploit and enjoy. AHRC believes in growth with care for people and planet; this new laboratory is at the heart of that commitment.”

Driving innovation and growth

Sci-Tech Daresbury is also home to the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Daresbury Laboratory, which is also part of UKRI and known for its world class skills and research infrastructure. This ranges from particle accelerator research to advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence, to cutting edge microscopy facilities.

Paul Vernon, Head of STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, said:

“With over 60 years of pioneering science, STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory is home to world-class facilities and expertise that drive innovation and growth across the UK. More than 150 companies, from start-ups to global leaders, choose the campus here at Sci-Tech Daresbury as a place to collaborate, recruit, and scale. Having hosted projects across UKRI’s Research Councils, it is very exciting to be working alongside AHRC on the UK-wide RICHeS programme. This is an exceptional initiative that will advance heritage research, strengthen cultural preservation, and deliver economic and societal benefits for the UK.”