Enterprising Britain 2008 – South East Winner
Millbrook Technology Campus
Millbrook Technology Campus (MTC) is the winner of Enterprising Britain 2008 for the South East. This Southampton-based technology park is a shining example of how enterprise and innovation can bring social regeneration and opportunities that will impact on a community for years to come.
MTC has achieved an exceptional amount in a relatively short space of time. It was conceived in 2006 when the technology company, NXP, became independent of Philips Electronics and found itself the owner of six hectares of land on the western outskirts of Southampton. At that time, the area was plagued by the legacy of the post-war industrial age with many buildings dating back to the 1950s and 60s. Large parts of the estate were unused and the infrastructure was too expensive to maintain. This, coupled with the multiple deprivations facing the surrounding community of Outer Shirley, meant the area was in real need of rejuvenation. NXP had a vision to transform this ailing site and make it into a place where businesses could thrive - a world-leading hub for technology, providing a catalyst for social regeneration. That’s when MTC was born.
MTC works closely with a number of partners: the University of Southampton and its SETsquared Incubation Centre; the Education Business Partnership, Solent Skill Quest; NXP; Southampton City Council; and Solent Synergy, which is a not-for-profit company that works to strengthen links between businesses, investors and the academic community in the Solent region. The involvement of the University of Southampton has brought a unique contribution to MTC. With over 40 years experience of collaborating with business, it is currently the top UK university regarding its work with small to medium-sized companies. The SETsquared Incubation Centre is also based at Southampton University, which has added real value to the expertise the institution has to offer MTC.
SETsquared incubates high-tech, high-growth start up companies by providing them with support through a mentorship programme, business planning and pitching advice, fundraising support as well as low-cost office space and facilities. Four companies have graduated from SETsquared to MTC. One such company is Bac2, which is a business specialising in the development of materials to bring forward the commercialisation of fuel cell technology. It was formed in 2002 by Dr Graham Murray. Dr Murray invented a pioneering electrically conductive plastic material that he identified as being of benefit to the emerging clean energy fuel cell market. SETsquared introduced him to some key players in this field who provided invaluable expertise and helped to secure record-breaking amounts of funding to facilitate the company’s growth. Bac2 is now thriving and the company is in the process of recruiting four additional members of staff, all of whom will be based at MTC.
But it isn’t just businesses that are benefiting from the unique entrepreneurial environment MTC has to offer. Outer Shirley is an area facing many challenges including a high proportion of lone parents, over 62% of whom were out of work; 40% of people between the ages of 16 and 71 having no qualifications; and only 63% of 16 to 17 year olds in full-time education. The work of MTC, in association with Solent Skill Quest, has helped to raise the aspirations of young people, combat disaffection and social exclusion and address vital skills shortages in the area. They have worked with employers to forge links with local primary and secondary schools. Brokering these relationships has meant that students have been given an insight into the technical and professional careers on offer at MTC and not just the low-skilled, low-wage jobs many young people in the area traditionally aspire to.
MTC and its partners have transformed what was once a redundant space into a successful hub of enterprise and innovation serving the whole community. The knowledge-based industries situated on the site have resulted in a genuine collegiate environment that encourages the transfer of knowledge and skills, creating opportunities for the surrounding community in the process. It has passed the critical establishment phase and is now thriving and growing organically with plans to set up a Venture Capital community and expand into a further development site.
Sally Lynskey, Chief Executive of Business Southampton and supporter of MTC’s application for Enterprising Britain 2008, said:
“All partners involved have displayed a social vision which has resulted in a first-class business technology campus, housing thriving businesses with modern and dynamic facilities. The addition of Solent Skill Quest on the Campus has facilitated the outflow of skill and enterprise through outreach with primary and secondary school children providing vital opportunities for the area’s young people.”
“The Enterprising Britain entry is an excellent example of joined up vision and strategy spanning many partners across the City of Southampton…We are pleased that there are already plans for major expansions and believe the Campus will go from strength to strength, attracting more and more companies and providing further employment opportunities for the local community”.