The report produced by the successful Alderley Park Taskforce was warmly praised by the Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, at a recent meeting in the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in London.
The Science Minister reviewed the final report produced by the Taskforce and paid tribute to the successes achieved by the members of the Taskforce over the last eighteen months. He highlighted how the Taskforce had helped secure new owners for the site: Manchester Science Partnerships, and bring over 300 new jobs to the BioHub incubator at the site. The Minister also recognised that prospects for the future looked strong, with a healthy pipeline of new businesses looking to relocate to Alderley Park.
New opportunities for the Life Sciences in north-east Cheshire were also reviewed. In 2014, £20 million Growth Deal funding for Life Sciences was secured for the Cheshire-Greater Manchester Life Sciences Investment Fund. In the months ahead, the focus will be on building on this important work and realising the ambition of creating a Science Corridor from Liverpool to Manchester, which includes Alderley Park and extends to AstraZeneca’s site in Macclesfield.
The Minister promised to visit north-east Cheshire in the near future to find out more about the work of the Taskforce and learn about future opportunities for Life Sciences in the area .
With the Taskforce having now achieved its objectives, national and local stakeholders will continue to work with Manchester Science Partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for the Alderley Park site.
The Taskforce was set up in April 2013 in response to the decision by AstraZeneca to relocate its research & development functions to Cambridge. The group included Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Manchester and David Rutley MP, representing local MPs.
Clive Morris, a Vice President at AstraZeneca, and Chris Brinsmead, the Government’s Life Science Adviser, Co-Chaired the Taskforce. Mr Brinsmead was awarded a CBE for his services to UK Life Sciences in the Queen’s New Year’s honours.
After the meeting, David said, “The Taskforce’s report is a powerful case study, which shows what can be achieved when partners work in common cause to strengthen the local economy. I am pleased that the Minister recognised the strong contribution made by the Taskforce and that we has keen to continue giving his support to initiatives that will help realise the potential for Life Sciences in north-east Cheshire going forward.”