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SOUTH EAST MIDL ANDS The businesses, organisations and individuals behind the region's push towards an innovative and high performance economy Brought to you by:
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Contents Milton Keynes
Introducing the South East Midlands There’s an old maxim in real estate: “location is everything”. That may be simplistic, but it goes a long way to explain the growth witnessed in the South East Midlands. Situated at the crossroads of London, the Midlands, Oxford and Cambridge, it has access to a large, skilled talent pool and excellent transport links via air, rail and road. With a population of close to 1.8 million and an economy worth £39 billion, the area is already designated as a national growth region. In particular, the region enjoys a competitive advantage in four showcase sectors: high-performance technology; logistics; manufacturing and advanced technology; as well as the cultural and creative sectors. In each, a host of international brands have chosen the South East Midlands to be their UK home. The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) was established to promote the region among investors and visitors, and to ensure it receives its due recognition as an attractive business destination. To this end, SEMLEP works in cooperation with its 11 local authority and private sector partners to deliver the strategic infrastructure and skills projects required for companies in these industries to thrive. In part, this means collaborating with the region’s 10 further education colleges, four university technical colleges and seven universities – including the Open University and Cranfield – to produce a talented workforce for the 21st century. This also means fostering business parks and enterprise zones – such as the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone, where a new station and innovation centre are driving ambitious plans for business growth. As well as providing direct business support through the Velocity service, launched in March 2014 to make it easier for companies to maximise their growth potential. Together, they produce a stimulating business environment with a strong commitment to innovation. Whether small or large, South East Midlands companies are sure to get the support required to start up or scale up – and further cement the region as a national business hub.
P 4‑5
Central Bedfordshire P 6‑7
London Luton Airport P 8-9
Colworth Science Park P 10‑11
Kettering P 12
Silverstone and the region P 13
Business Is Great P 14
Daniel Charles Mouawad, CEO, SEMLEP
Produced by Ink’s Special Projects Team. For inclusion in future project, contact: specialprojects@ink-global.com cover illustration: Andrea Manzati 3
INVEST MILTON KEYNES
Milton Keynes: the city to watch Companies from around the world are turning to one of Britain's fastest-growing city for its expertise in manufacturing, logistics and high-performance tech milton keynes has always had big ambitions and is delivering on the promise of being Britain’s most successful ‘new city’. Created in 1967, with a population of 60,000, this green and thriving borough is now an economic powerhouse and home to more than 258,000 people. Milton Keynes is located at the heart of the UK and at the centrepoint between London and Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge. London is just a 30-minute train journey from the city and the M1 sits at its eastern edge, with Luton Airport only 25 miles away. From its beginning, Milton Keynes has been designed with growth in mind, currently running at an additional 1,760 households a year. Here, companies have access to one of the world’s great talent pools, a huge consumer base and global business opportunities without the costs of setting up in the big city. The population has more than quadrupled since the late 1960s, but clever design has meant never compromising on quality of life and the growth opportunities afforded to business. Milton Keynes is home to one of the most successful theatres outside of London with a global reputation for its international arts festival. It has the fourth-largest shopping centre in Europe, but also boasts beautiful scenery with sustainable transport a key feature of the city. 4
city of the future Home to the Transport Catapult and Open University, the city is at the forefront of innovation and research, and famed for its recent involvement in the Mars Beagle Project. Milton Keynes is highly connected, with over 80% of homes and businesses accessing superfast fibre broadband. Milton Keynes is trialling the ‘internet of things’ network which will be installed from September in the first such city-wide project in the UK. In the future Milton Keynes, technologies such as parking spaces signalling when they are empty, the ability to control your washing machines and heating remotely and smart bins that send a message to rubbish collectors when they are overflowing will become a reality. Milton Keynes Council has established a Future City Programme to combat the barriers to housing and economic growth, and enable business and service innovation through the integration of multiple city
systems. The programme draws together business, university and government partners in a nationally significant innovation hub that includes projects with four of the UK’s Catapult innovation centres. Milton Keynes will be a world-leader in technology as it becomes a pioneer in autonomous vehicles. The city is preparing to receive a fleet of 40 fully autonomousdriving pods to be used to test a service route from Milton Keynes Central station starting in 2015, and expect to have 100 pods running on pathways by 2017.
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Main: Milton Keynes enjoys excellent connectivity. Below left: The city's fully autonomous pods. Above: The city is an advanced manufacturing hub
MK IN NUMBERS logistics Milton Keynes has become a national hub for distribution and logistics operators. Its extraordinary connectivity and superb motorway access make it easy to do business across the UK and provides access to over 45 million consumers within a 4.5-hour HGV drive. Fast-flowing traffic enables goods to be dispatched without delays. Milton Keynes is home to John Lewis and Waitrose national distribution centres, River Island, Brioche Pasquier’s national manufacturing and distribution centre, Coca-Cola and Amazon. high-performance tech Home to Bletchley Park and the Enigma code-breaking activities of the Second World War, Milton Keynes has long had technology as part of its DNA. It's found at the heart of Motorsport Valley, with Lotus, Mercedes, Williams, Caterham, Marussia, McLaren and Force India all within an 80-minute drive of Silverstone,
the ‘Home of British Motor Racing’. It is, therefore, no surprise that Infinity Red Bull Racing, Mugen Euro, Honda, Prodrive and ATL have all chosen to locate in Milton Keynes. Over 3,500 business associated with motorsport are based in the Valley, employing around 40,000 people. advanced manufacturing The city is an advanced manufacturing powerhouse that continues to attract brands such as Marshall Amplification, MSD Animal Health, ABB Robotics and NiftyLift. ‘Made in Milton Keynes’ is a guarantee of British manufacturing excellence and innovation at its best. Local firms work alongside global giants on next-generation technologies that challenge the frontiers of manufacturing. Across the city in bespoke business parks, you will find names from Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, Germany and the US, making everything from animal vaccines and heavylifting gear to fuel cells for every F1 team.
#1
FOR BUSINESS LOCATION*
780+
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES
30
MINUTE TRAIN FROM LONDON
200
HECTARES OF AVAILABLE EMPLOYMENT LAND
TOP 5
CITY FOR BUSINESS START-UPS IN THE UK
*The MJ (Municipal Journal) / Local Futures An Investment Guide to England Focus Municipal Journal article -21/02/2013
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CENTRALBEDFORDSHIRE.CO.UK
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE
Support every step of the way Central Bedfordshire's strategic location, educational pedigree and sustained business support have made it the place to be for innovative companies from its position at the heart of the UK, Central Bedfordshire offers everything a business needs to prosper. Its rural setting has become a hub for innovative research facilities and companies, who reap the benefits of a location within easy reach of 35 million people. Only half an hour from London and close to Luton Airport, its excellent road, rail and air connections spell good news for supply chains and workers across the region. And the talent pool is growing. Facilities and support are on hand to provide the skills required by businesses, including industry collaborations. Its colleges, university technical colleges and universities provide a wide range of courses, with specialisations in engineering and design plus land-based industries. Internationally renowned Cranfield University provides a premier postgraduate learning experience and executive education to over 20,000 professionals every year. Home to industrial-scale specialist facilities that are unique in the UK, it has become a major centre for inward investment in R&D for teaching and management. Exciting plans to develop the existing technology park and university campus 6
are set to enhance the region's skills offer even further. As the Central Bedfordshire economy develops quickly, it’s looking to its expertise in several key sectors. Among these, it can count high-performance tech, where it leverages the abilities and R&D of Cranfield and the continued expansion of leading companies such as Lockheed Martin, BE Aerospace, the Aerospace Technology Institute and Nissan Technical Centre Europe. Jordans, Ryvita, Arysta, Honeytop Foods and Whitbread contribute to a thriving agri-food industry, with work underway to encourage the development of larger-scale manufacturing and new technologies. The visitor economy is also going through an exciting period, as Center Parcs – Woburn Forest is joining the likes of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Wrest Park and Woburn Abbey and Safari Park in enticing new tourists to the region. Meanwhile, the logistics sector continues to grow. Over 500 companies, including Amazon and Fed-Ex, already take advantage of Central Bedfordshire’s location at the centre of the motorway network, and now the area is supporting over £200 million of
investment in transportation infrastructure. Improvements to the M1-A5 link road at Dunstable have already led to one of the first speculative developments of over 300,000m2 of premium distribution facilities nationwide. Looking ahead, the new east-west rail route linking Oxford and Cambridge is also set to come right through the heart of the region. enabling business growth Home to more than 11,500 businesses and 265,000 people, Central Bedfordshire is one of the country's fastest-growing areas. A strategy is in place to add 31,000 new homes and 27,000 jobs by 2031. To do so, it will bring forward more than
MILLBROOK TECHNOLOGY PARK
MILLBROOK.CO.UK/ TECHNOLOGY-PARK
MILLBROOK TECHNOLOGY PARK
140 hectares of new employment land, and putting the infrastructure in place to support high-quality and sustainable jobs. Central Bedfordshire Council has made enabling business growth its top priority, and so offers a support package to new and existing businesses – whether that is to help with a smooth relocation or guiding you through the steps to get your company off the ground. Its dedicated account management services includes free property and land searches; early access to planning expertise; specialist environmental and health and safety advice; business rates advice; funding signposting; and free training, apprenticeships and recruitment support.
Central Bedfordshire's resources in R&D and manufacturing has made it the ideal place to locate agri-food companies, among other industries. Above right: Millbrook Technology Park is under development
Millbrook has long been a familiar name to those in the automotive, public transport, energy and defence industries, with its world-renowned test and engineering facilities serving as an essential stepping stone before any new innovation hits the road. Now, its reach is to extend even further, with planning permission granted for the development of Millbrook Technology Park. Comprising 24,900m2 of office, research and development space, the Park provides scope for further companies to locate upon the site – bringing with them a significant number of highly skilled jobs in automotive engineering and technology. Located in Central Bedfordshire, the Park is
set up to allow for flexible developments, including buildto-suit solutions, and tenants will have direct access to all of Millbrook’s facilities, including 70km of varied test tracks. “The Technology Park will build upon existing expertise in automotive design, test and development, and encourage increased partnership opportunities with worldclass engineering, research and development companies who will be located at Millbrook,” said CEO Alex Burns upon its opening, The first office and workshop space is already available at the Innovation Centre, where small companies and start-ups can benefit from a secure facility offering a shared reception, meeting rooms, parking and a staff restaurant. 7
LONDON LUTON AIRPORT
London Luton Airport set to take off LLA has launched a £100 million investment programme to make it the airport where great journeys begin
Every year, more and more passengers are passing through London Luton Airport (LLA), recognising that its friendly, efficient surroundings make it the smart choice for 21st-century travellers. Last year was the busiest in the airport's 76 year history, topping the previous high of 10.3 million in 2008. With plans in place for considerable improvements across the airport and its transport links, that record isn't likely to last long. Improved retail and catering facilities, greater space and better access – including a new multi-storey car park – are set to make the passenger experience better than ever. They all form part of a new £100 million redevelopment project that includes an expanded and modernised terminal building, and improved road and rail links. Plans are also underway to create one of Europe’s finest executive lounges, where a major investment will add dedicated business and wellbeing zones, which will include a spa. LLA is currently served by up to eight 8
trains an hour. In the future, the ambition is to provide a dedicated Airport Express service to London with a journey time of less than 25 minutes. Plus, to make connections to the rail station easier, improvements are also being made to the shuttle bus service to Luton Airport Parkway Station. By 2026, these improvements will increase the airport’s capacity from 12 million to 18 million, resulting in an impact that goes beyond making travellers’ lives better. LLA is already one of the region’s most important economic drivers, and this move will bring 5,000 new jobs and help pump an extra £283 million into the economy per year. The airport's redevelopment came hot on the heels of a landmark agreement with easyJet, which has called Luton home since its beginning. In March 2014 the two signed a 10-year deal that will more than double the number of easyJet passengers passing through the airport to more than 9 million annually. Why is LLA becoming the airport of choice for passengers? First, you have to
consider its large catchment area as the airport of choice for passengers from Buckinghamshire to Essex and from north London to Northamptonshire. It’s helped here by its transport links. Few airports can boast such excellent connections, with a mainline railway and the M1 providing easy access both to London and the north. Another important consideration is its size. Though LLA is one of the UK’s busiest airports, its land area is reasonably small, allowing reduced taxi time from the runway to the terminal, thereby ensuring a quick turnaround. It’s
LLA connects London and the South East Midlands to the world – and is set to be transformed by a modernised terminal building (below)
"Improved retail and catering facilities, greater space and better access – including a new multi-storey car park – are set to make the passenger experience better than ever" also a benefit to passengers, who enjoy a relatively short walk between check-in and boarding. LLA is emerging as an airport for the new century. As more passengers take this short walk over the years to come, they’ll enjoy the best airport experience possible, while LLA’s role in the regional – and national – economy will just continue to grow. 9
COLWORTH SCIENCE PARK
All together now Unilever and Wrenbridge are seeking new tenants to join them at Colworth Park, where science, technology and collaborative work practices are driving innovation for more than 60 years, Bedfordshire's Colworth Science Park has been a renowned R&D site, where its 91 acres offered the perfect creative environment for Unilever to pursue its interests in commercial and foundation research. Now, it is embarking on the next stage of development. With site-owners Wrenbridge, the company is reaching out to new enterprises to share in the Park's spirit of innovation. Construction and 10
refurbishment of lab and office space has provided the opportunity for the Park to host further tenants, thereby opening itself up to the potential offered by collaboration in driving new inventions and processes. Colworth is the global R&D centre for Unilever’s refreshment (tea and ice cream) category with unique facilities including state-of-the-art pilot plant facilities. Colworth has a strong track record of building and contributing
to a number of Unilever brands including Lipton, PG Tips, Magnum & Cornetto. It is one of Unilever’s two main R&D centres in the UK. It's also home to Unilever’s global Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre and Strategic Science Group, which has the remit to explore new science and breakthrough technologies. Current research themes include sustainability, health and wellness, biosciences and processing. Specialist
COLWORTHPARK.COM
R&D capabilities cover: digital, open innovation, consumer insights, scientific measurement, microbiology, design and engineering. More than 600 people are employed by Unilever here, and being part of this innovation eco-system means scientists are able to network and collaborate with entrepreneurs as well as the nearby Cambridge, Cranfield and Nottingham universities. In June 2014, Palmer Capitalbacked property firm Wrenbridge acquired Colworth Park with plans to convert the site into a mixed-tenant R&D cluster. Shortly after, Unilever extended its 350,000-squarefoot lease until 2034, affirming its commitment as the anchor company for this new vision. In doing so, it ensured that Colworth would be 90% let for the next 20 years, providing peace of mind for any prospective tenants hoping to work close to an industry giant. Kerry Foods and Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer, have already established a presence here, and Wrenbridge is hoping they will be the first of many to move in. This starts with upgrading the
amenities available to new tenants, beginning with the Grade II-listed Colworth House. Originally built in 1715, it’s currently being refurbished to provide office space from 150 up to 18,000 square feet. Similar improvements are underway at the Exchange innovation centre, where new office and lab space will complement the conference facilities, restaurant and shop that have made it the focal point of the park. Wrenbridge is also devising plans to construct further R&D buildings across the site, which could potentially accommodate 150,000 square feet of fresh development in the next three to five years. Flexible, state-of-the-art space is a bonus, but the Park’s other great asset is far less tangible. By grouping like-minded companies in one space, where ideas can bounce around and expertise be shared, Colworth is set to ride a wave of collaboration to new innovations. Together, these companies can leverage investment for new scientific equipment and build on relationships with universities. Wrenbridge and Unilever are looking for new tenants to share this opportunity.
PARK LOCATION
Colworth Park is located in the village of Sharnbrook, 9 miles north of Bedford and 30 miles west of Cambridge. It’s well connected: the A6 dual carriageway is approximately 1 mile away, while the nearby A1 provides direct access to the capital and the north. In addition, four international airports are situated within a 70-mile radius, and the train from Bedford (a 20-minute taxi ride away) takes passengers to London St Pancras in just 37 minutes.
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KETTERING. GOV. UK
KETTERING BOROUGH COUNCIL
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT@KETTERING.GOV.UK +44 (0)1536 410333
Powering business Extensive housing and commercial opportunities – in addition to huge incentives via energy savings – are making Kettering an attractive destination for investment in the heart of North Northamptonshire, Kettering is located in one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions – so much so that it’s currently developing one of the largest sustainable housing projects in the country. Some 5,500 new homes are to be built in the east of the town, just north of the A14, in addition to a new district centre, schools, healthcare facilities, plus parks and open space. There’s scope for investment by the business community as well, with 42,000m2 of land set aside for commercial activity within that development alone Further opportunities exist in a 90-acre business park at Junction 10 of the A14, where companies can take advantage of affordable land prices and excellent transport links by road and an improving fast rail service. Planning approval has been granted for the highquality, mixed-use site, with new tenants being sought in the light industrial and distribution industries. There are potential links to a renewable energy park that has the potential to supply upwards of 60MW 12
of green energy per year – enough to satisfy the entire borough’s energy needs. The 1,100-acre site is already home to the Burton Wold Wind Farm, where the installation of nine highefficiency GE turbines will produce enough power for 11,000 homes. Further plans include the addition of a new solar plant and biomass energy plant that could provide huge cost savings on local energy bills. The Energy
Park will also involve the co-location of energy intensive employment uses. Together, these projects represent an enormous investment that will secure Kettering’s future. Businesses interested in the opportunities that are emerging can take advantage of the support offered by the borough council, which emphasises an honest and open approach and can provide help with pre-application planning.
Silverstone: The home of British motorsport Silverstone Park is at the centre of the UK's premier motorsport cluster, where it is able to draw on a deep knowledge base and excellent transport links to the rest of the UK and the world beyond. Connect with SEMLEP to find out how your business can benefit from these same advantages plus numerous high-quality development sites. www.semlep.com
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Silverstone Technology Park Working with high-performance technology and motorsport partners, located in and around the site, Silverstone Park is creating a global destination for engineering, innovation and business development. Westcott Venture Park Buckingham's largest business park is seeking tenants for its new 45,000 sq.ft. speculative warehouse and distribution development – the first of its kind in the region for more than five years. westcottventurepark.com
northampton
cambridge bedford
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Cranfield University
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Begbroke Science Park Government and Oxford University funding has enabled this science hub to expand its facilities with a new multi-use Innovation Accelerator that will help small and medium-sized companies take their products to market. begbroke.ox.ac.uk 13
BUSINESS IS GREAT
Business is great Small businesses are the bedrock of our economy and over the past year they have increased in number by 330,000. This is where Business is GREAT comes in – the campaign works to support the rising number of enterprises Recent statistics show that 99.9% of UK businesses are small and medium sized, and at the start of 2014 there were 5.2 million small businesses; an increase of by 330,000 from 2013. The Business is GREAT campaign, led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), was launched in November 2013 to bring together all the support and advice available from government, so that small businesses can easily access this guidance to help them grow. Many regional Local Enterprise Partnerships have close 14
connections to the Business is GREAT Britain campaign, working with local small business communities to promote the government support on offer. One example of this connection is with the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). The Business is GREAT campaign has worked with them on a number of occasions, most notably to help support the automotive sector. In September 2014, ahead of the British Touring Car Championship event at Rockingham, in Northamptonshire, the Business is GREAT campaign and SEMLEP worked
together to hold a business seminar with the Velocity service, to support local businesses. Since its launch, Velocity has experienced exceptional demand for its business advice, grants and information services. Attendees heard from a variety of speakers about challenges and growing their business, with topics such as financing, skills, training, innovation and intellectual property. Following this event, Velocity began holding 58, free workshops to equip business owners with the skills needed to overcome challenges when growing a business.