Cambridge Science Park Director Jane Hutchins to join our Oxford 'Science Cities' forum

Image: Jane Hutchins courtesy of Cambridge Science Park

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Jane Hutchins, Director of Cambridge Science Park will be speaking at our January 'Science Cities' forum at Said Business School, University of Oxford.

Appointed as Director of Cambridge Science Park in August 2022, Jane brings a wealth of experience of the science park sector and the innovative companies and people it serves.

Jane is also a director of the UK Science Park Association; chair of Anglia Ruskin University’s business advisory board; and past chair of the Cambridge Forum for Place, established by Cambridge University Health Partners and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Working in partnership with Trinity College Cambridge and managing agents Bidwells, Jane is responsible for delivering Trinity College’s future vision for the Science Park. This includes an ambitious new cycle of investment focused on sustainability, amenity enhancement and the creation of diverse and inclusive employment opportunities for the wider Cambridge community. Jane also plays a key role advocating for the interests of existing and new businesses on the Park, which is at the heart of one of the best-known and economically successful science, technology and innovation ecosystems in the world – Cambridge.

The Cambridge Science Park was established 52 years ago when Trinity College Cambridge embraced the concept that would change the hi-tech sector in Cambridge, the UK and beyond. Trinity owns the freehold of the Cambridge Science Park, which today comprises 150 acres, 1.7 million sq ft of high technology and laboratory buildings. It is home to 7000 people at over 170 companies, ranging from exciting start-ups to some of the world's leading technology businesses.

Companies and entrepreneurs at the Cambridge Science Park are working on life-enhancing technologies, ranging from non-invasive diagnostics and novel medicines to next-generation display and communications technologies, to name just a few. The wide range of occupiers in terms of size, sector, age and nationality offers unrivalled opportunities for collaboration, innovation and inspiration.

Jane says:

The world is changing at pace. Innovation and agility are essential if we are to keep up with the giants of the US and China, both as a sector and a national economy. The Cambridge Science Park is perfectly placed to take a leading role in our response but this brings significant challenges. Competing on a global stage requires strong collaboration with external organisations, both commercial and governmental. The UK has recently demonstrated that we are a great place for life science research and commercialisation, declaring its ambition to become a scientific superpower. The associated investment markets are excited about opportunities. But this brings challenges. R&D has a large carbon footprint: the contradiction between innovating to improve health, for example, and contributing to climate change that threatens health, cannot be ignored.