M-SParc (Menai Science Park) on Anglesey celebrates its first anniversary in March with a reflection on a year of innovation and economic development.
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Since M-SParc opened a year ago, the 22 businesses there have created 24 new jobs, six student placements, four graduate employment opportunities, and grown their company turnover for the benefit of the region. M-SParc Ltd has directly created seven of these jobs, and three of these are new posts created over the past 12 months.
Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates said: “It’s great to see the progress made by M-SParc on Anglesey in its first 12 months. The aim of the park, the first of its kind in Wales, was to bring innovative businesses together in a creative and supportive environment, and help them grow. This has certainly happened so far. It’s also good to see the links with schools and universities, showing graduates that there are well-paid high-level innovative job opportunities in North West Wales.”
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BIC Innovation, who provide business improvement and growth support to SMEs, have recruited seven people during the past eight months, three of whom are located at M-SParc. Huw Watkins said “Being here has allowed us to reach a new and expanding client base. We have improved our visibility and have benefited from chance meetings, which have been invaluable. Through a range of funded and commercial services, we’ve been able to support five of the current tenants of M-SParc, contributing to the vibrancy of this excellent facility.”
Futurium, a technology company developing innovative solutions for clients in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, have employed 10 new people since locating at M-SParc six months ago. Tomasz Murlikiewicz Co-founder, said:
“The ethos of M-SParc is one of the main reasons we moved here as a company. Developing a leading-edge tech business in North Wales we needed a building and environment to meet our needs. We’ve found this in M-SParc, the environment provides opportunities for us to grow as a company, it helps us to attract and recruit talent and to showcase our leading technologies to international clients.
“We would like to congratulate the M-SParc team as they have created the most innovative, professional and dynamic environment.”
Work experience has been provided to four students from local schools over the last 12 months, giving them a taste of what science and technology is all about and inspiring them for the future. 16 key events have taken place at M-SParc since March, engaging with 1,300 people, of which five were events targeting young people with 460 children reached. M-SParc has held an event for the local primary school, four coding clubs, the F1 schools ‘Team Drive’ event which M-SParc sponsored, and the launch of the Profi project with Bangor University to inspire young people to consider their future careers. There will be more engagement and more events over the next year, in order to put north west Wales on the map; something positive is happening here, real impact is taking place, and M-SParc want more people to be a part of that.
M-SParc is located on the Anglesey Enterprise Zone, and is owned by Bangor University, which means it is able to build on this relationship for the benefit of the tenants. Work placements have been provided to six graduates, four of whom are graduates of Bangor University. Managing Director Pryderi ap Rhisiart said: “The buy-in from our tenant companies to developing and growing their companies here at M-SParc has been inspiring. It is an ethos we thought we’d have to grow, but it’s like these companies have been waiting all along for the opportunity! Those who are start-ups are increasing their company turnover, and learning from other companies on site and making the most of our dedicated business support. Some of the larger SMEs here are moving at a rate of knots!
M-SParc also won Construction Project of the Year at the Constructing Excellence Wales award and Digital Construction Project of the Year 2018 at the Constructing Excellence National awards.
