HRH The Duke of Kent visits Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus

 

His is Royal Highness The Duke of Kent visited the Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) on Thursday 13 November.

Accompanied by Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive of The Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Professor Colin Whitehouse, Deputy Chief Executive, STFC, The Duke toured the Campus and met with scientists from the STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory and with directors from a number of the hi-tech companies based here.

The Duke was given a tour of the new light source prototype, ALICE (Accelerators and Lasers In Combined Experiments), and was informed of the progress of the Campus’ technology gateway centres - the £65 million project announced earlier in 2008.

Professor Colin Whitehouse said: “This is a very exciting time for STFC Daresbury Laboratory and, as part of a new national Science & Innovation Campus, we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of world leading science and advanced technology.  The government’s further very significant investment into the campus will certainly demonstrate the significant impact that investment in science-related sectors can have on the national economy and in supporting the future of science and innovation in the UK."

At the Campus’ Daresbury Innovation Centre, His Royal Highness met with Dr George Baxter, Director of Science & Innovation, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and John Leake, General Manager, Daresbury SIC, and with directors from some of the 80 hi-tech companies.

Dr George Baxter added: “The Daresbury Campus has proved to be a great success. The Innovation Centre now has over 80 companies making Daresbury their home and the site was formally designated as one of only two national science campuses by the Government at the start of this year.”

 

HRH The Duke of Kent with Austen Bradley of Campus company TipChip	HRH The Duke of Kent signs the Campus visitor book accompanied by Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive, STFC

 

Notes to Editors:

Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) is an internationally recognised location for hi-tech businesses and leading-edge science.  It represents a fundamentally new approach to driving UK competitiveness in global science and innovation.   Daresbury SIC was formed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Science & Technology Facilities Council along with the Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster and Manchester and Halton Borough Council. For further information please visit: www.daresburysic.co.uk

Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of seven national research councils in the UK. The STFC ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships. For further information please visit: www.stfc.ac.uk

ALICE is an acronym standing for Accelerators and Lasers In Combined Experiments.  Financed by the STFC and the North West Seed Fund, the project is designed to produce light from both the accelerator and advanced lasers that can be used simultaneously in cutting edge experiments. On Thursday 23 October, after more than four years of planning and construction, ALICE achieved its first high-energy beam using a state-of the-art electron photoinjector and superconducting linear accelerator.  This brings ALICE one step closer to its completion and to achieving its goal of energy recovery, a critical requirement for the economic viability of such future light sources.

Technology Gateway Centres

£65 million from the Government’s Large Facilities Capital Fund was recently announced by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to establish a world leading centre for cutting edge research in computer modelling and a research facility to develop detector systems at Daresbury SIC.  The centres will be administered by the STFC.

Present at the visit:

Accompanied by Mr William Bromley Davenport JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, His Royal Highness, was greeted by the following upon his arrival at Daresbury SIC:

The Worshipful The Mayor of Halton (Councillor Kath Loftus)

The Member of Parliament for Weaver Vale (Mr Mike Hall MP)

Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive, STFC

Professor Colin Whitehouse, Head of Daresbury Laboratory/Deputy Chief Executive STFC

Dr George Baxter, Director of Innovation, NWDA

Mr John Leake, General Manager, Daresbury SIC

List of exhibiting companies:

Electro-spinning– nanotechnology-based spin-out from STFC (Mr Gareth Derbyshire, Director)

Calon Associates Ltd- intelligent control systems (Mr Tim Sly, Managing Director) www.infranet-partners.co.uk

Tip Chip - Medical diagnostics and instrumentation collaboration with STFC (Mr Austen Bradley, Founder/Chief Executive)

Instrument Design Technology (IDT) – design and project management for synchrotron facilities (Mr Paul Murray, Managing Director) www.idtnet.co.uk

BioEden  - Stem cell processing (Mr David James, Managing Director)

www.bioeden.co.uk