News & Press

Innovation Centre to Become World-Class in Knowledge Economy - 1st April 2007

As published in Vision Magazine


Cambridge graduate Dr Sarah Tasker has the steely determination that enabled her to win a rowing showdown against rivals Oxford. Now she is making waves on Merseyside as leader of the recently launched Liverpool Science Park. Dr Tasker, who has helped develop the world-famous Cambridge Science Park, has created a first class team and set-up which will help the region exploit its expert knowledge potential.


Dr Tasker's background:
Dr Sarah Tasker has experience of developing and running science park projects at the highest level, including the world-renowned Cambridge facilities. Working with universities, development agencies, local authorities and private developers, she has played an instrumental role in several landmark research projects.
Sarah co-founded the CAM-SCI Consultancy which pools the experience of strategists, managers, researchers and technical experts in the field of technology transfer and knowledge economy development. In addition she has spent three years analyzing and documenting trends in knowledge economy development. The chief operating officer of Liverpool Science Park is David Lupson, formerly senior project manager of Cambridge Science Park, the most profitable in Europe.


Dr Tasker speaks about Liverpool with the enthusiasm of a dyed-in-the-wool native. She has been commuting from Cambridge for three years to lead the Science Park project: ‘We now have a global economy and in terms of science and knowledge-based potential Liverpool is way behind. However, in saying that the potential I believe is second to none and there are some incredible things going on here. Merseyside does have a knowledge economy with laser centres and the country's leading magnetic resonance and image analysis research centre, for instance. Then you have the MerseyBio centre and so much more. What amazes me is that nobody is shouting about these things and so no one elsewhere is thinking of Liverpool in this context. Of course what has happened up to now is that Liverpool has not provided the right offer for either homegrown talent or attracted it from elsewhere. This will now change.'
The Innovation Centre helps to kickstart up-and-coming companies, many of which have had real problems just to find space to carry out work. Dr Tasker added: ‘Investing in such developments will allow Liverpool to take its place at the top table of UK cities committed to an economy founded on scientific and technological innovation. It will allow a city with a proud heritage of producing innovators and entrepreneurs to keep hold of them'.

What is Liverpool Science Park?
The first phase Innovation Centre has opened within the shadow of RC Cathedral in Hope St.


This is a facility that is intended to play host to young companies with bright ideas. Spin-outs from the universities are particulary expected to take advantage of the facilities, part financed by the European Union under Merseyside's Objective One ERDF Program, Government Office for the North West and the North West Regional Development Agency.


The facility consists of a high quality, fit for purpose, multi-occupied building which is providing young research and development companies, and associated organizations, with an optimum environment in which to deliver their business plan.


Liverpool Science Park is a joint venture between The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and the Liverpool City Council, is in the heart of Liverpool's thriving city centre adjacent to the campuses of both Universities. It comprises 43,755 sq ft of purpose designed Office/Laboratory compatible suites from 280 sq ft to 2,000 + sq ft in world-class accommodation that offers its tenants an array of specialist facilities alongside more standard business requirements. Laboratories and clean rooms can easily be provided for, alongside the high quality meeting rooms, office space, broadband and 24hour security.


Further help in running knowledge based business is also at hand in the form of a wide range of business support services. This includes everything from growth management advice to events, master classes and networks run by the Liverpool Science Park Innovation Centre in conjunction with the universities and the business community. A growing number of knowledge-led companies are waking up to the benefits of locating to the Liverpool Science Park Innovation Centre including Neat3D, Telcogames, Hope St Centre, Eek Films and DNA Diagnostics.
Liverpool Science Park also offers a first class conferencing venue capable of holding up to 200 delegates with every requirement catered for.