Senior business figures have expressed further enthusiasm for MEPC’s development of Silverstone Park following recent visits to the tech business estate and engagements with Commercial Director Chris Kimber-Nickelson (see separate story).
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Policy and Programme Manager Amber Sedki-Farag was pleased to hear about the Park’s expansion during a business networking event it hosted at Microsoft’s UK HQ in Reading.
She commented: “Silverstone Park is a prime example to showcase how the Thames Valley hosts a truly unique, truly global cluster of businesses in key sectors.
“The growth of the Park demonstrates how to meet market demand for tech companies which, in turn, has created numerous job opportunities.
“The additional opportunities for apprenticeships, plus the Silverstone Park Schools Programme which offers young people guidance on career types and pathways, are also addressing the skills gap.”
For the second time in as many months, the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) brought a business delegation to the Park to hear from Chris about its expansion. The delegation also visited occupiers SAIETTA’s and Delta Cosworth’s premises to learn more about their advancements in electric drivetrains and vehicle electrification.
The nations represented included China, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, UK, USA, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.
Amongst the delegation was Rachel Paulk, Senior Director, International Strategy & Accounts of USA-based Our Next Energy (ONE).
Rachel (pictured above) enthused: “Visiting the Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) region really showcased the UK’s research & development capability.
“It’s clear that Silverstone Park and the wider STC region host a strong and supportive ecosystem that is driving innovation in the electric movement.
“The electric vehicle revolution creates so many opportunities for new products and solutions, and it was great to see local companies able to accelerate their offerings in the cluster.”
In a third event, space sector companies from Westcott Venture Park met with Chris and then with business counterparts at Silverstone Park in an event arranged by Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP).
Companies have benefited from BTVLEP’s enterprise zone developments at both locations – those at Silverstone Park are leading the way in additive manufacturing, vehicle electrification, electro-magnetic testing and sports engineering.
BTVLEP’s Head of Enterprise Zone Development, Matt Peachey, said: “It was an important day of knowledge exchange between two of the Bucks LEP enterprise zones which highlighted lots of opportunities for companies to collaborate and share best practices.
“Westcott Space Cluster businesses and partners gained valuable insights into cluster development practice at Silverstone and learned about the impressive growth of Silverstone Park over the past decade, thanks to the management of MEPC and Silverstone Technology Cluster.
“The event was highly positive, with attendees expressing their satisfaction and we would like to thank MEPC, STC, the Digital Manufacturing Centre and Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub for their help on the day.”
