Arise will provide unique foundation for highly innovative companies
Dr Beverley Vaughan has been announced as director of the new innovation hub, Arise. The hub, which is funded by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and Essex County Council, will support innovative companies and entrepreneurs in Harlow to grow their businesses.
Located within strong scientific communities on the new Harlow Innovation Park, at the heart of the Harlow Enterprise Zone and the UK Innovation Corridor, Arise will provide office space, research and development facilities, meeting rooms, easy access to services on the innovation park, plus access to expertise and use of world-leading facilities at ARU’s campuses in neighbouring Chelmsford and Cambridge.
The £6million building is an ideal space for innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs looking for a base to grow their company. There is capacity for up to 30 businesses on site, and a virtual office package is also offered for firms that are not looking for accommodation but would benefit from the networking opportunities offered by Arise.
The innovation hub will support opportunities for growth and innovation in the life science and medical technology sector, which currently provides around 11% of UK employment.
Dr Beverley Vaughan has this week begun her role as Innovation Hub Director of Arise. She rejoins ARU having previously worked as a senior lecturer in Biomedical Science, before taking on roles helping incubate bioscience business at Stevenage Biosciences Catalyst, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, and the University of Oxford.
Dr Vaughan said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arise at this exciting stage of the incubator development in Harlow. Having worked across the UK incubation and innovation sectors for the last 10 years, I really believe that now more than ever continued investment and support of UK research and development, talent, entrepreneurship and innovation programmes can help us to bolster and grow as a nation.
“I look forward to working with the team to develop the Arise sites and connect and strengthen our innovation zones in healthcare, medtech and wellbeing sectors.”
Cllr Lesley Wagland, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning at Essex County Council, commented: “We are delighted with the appointment of Beverley Vaughan, as hub director. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow is at the core of Essex County Council’s economic recovery plan, and we are proud to be working in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University in the opening of the Arise innovation hub.
“Harlow continues to provide a centre for a variety of thriving businesses, both established and start-ups, along with state-of-the-art research facilities, and I am confident that the hub will play a pivotal role in supporting the investment in Essex’s economic progression in the future.”
Professor Yvonne Barnett, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at ARU, said: “Harlow is an ideal place to grow a business, and easy access to London, Cambridge and Stansted Airport increase its appeal still further. We’re delighted to be able to provide a hub for innovative businesses and entrepreneurs in the area.
“Arise will place us at the heart of our community creating links between our academic expertise and student talent, and helping to deliver an innovation eco-system alongside other occupiers of the Harlow Science Park and other major investors in the region.”
Brian Keane, Harlow Council’s Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Dr Vaughan to Harlow and I wish her well in her new role as Innovation Hub Director at Arise. Dr Vaughan joins at a very exciting time for Harlow and for the Harlow innovation park.
“The Arise innovation hub is going to be very important in supporting new businesses and entrepreneurs as part of the town’s economic recovery. We are excited to be a partner with ARU and Essex County Council in the hub and to lead on the development of the state-of-the-art Harlow innovation park which will create jobs and help businesses to grow, succeed and innovate, putting Harlow in a strong place to bounce back from the pandemic.”
Arise is a partnership between ARU, Essex County Council, and Harlow Council.
The Harlow building follows the extremely successful Arise building on ARU’s Chelmsford campus, which is home to around 30 companies from a wide range of sectors.
If you are interested in finding out more about Arise, please contact [email protected]
This article was written by Medilink Midlands Patron, Anglia Ruskin University.
For more information on Medilink Midlands Patronage, click here.
