Collaboration between KQ Liverpool and Kensington Fields Community Association

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Innovation district organisations supports local charity food provision 

Kensington Fields Community Association (KFCA) provides vital services to the residents of one of the country’s most deprived wards.

The centre provides a much-needed programme of activities and weekly classes, runs social groups, and offers financial and well-being advice to keep people connected and feeling supported. Another key element of this support is related to food provision, enabling the local community to access affordable and good-quality food and groceries through the KFCA pantry. 

Helen Ball, Business Development Manager at KFCA, said:

“Our pantry is open to everyone in Kenny, and we provide emergency food support in times of crisis, run family food nights, and older and vulnerable persons lunch clubs to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry.

“We are also proud to help educate people around healthy eating with our cookery classes for both kids and adults, and by offering relaxing growing activities in the centre’s community allotment.”

To run the KFCA pantry, the charity relies on grants from charitable bodies, which are becoming increasingly harder to secure meaning they are also seeking donations from caring individuals and local organisations. 

Claire Kidman, Head of Partnerships at KQ Liverpool, added:

“We are pleased to announce that KQ Liverpool will be supporting the Kensington Fields Community Association by providing pantry donation points at a number of sites across our innovation district. 

“This initiative aligns with our 2040 Vision, and it’s important to us that we support the communities around us. It’s especially meaningful to know that our contributions will directly benefit those in need within our local area.”

The first donation points are already located in two of KQ Liverpool’s spin-out development company Sciontec’s innovation centres at Liverpool Science Park (iC1 Entrance Lounge and iC2 Entrance Lounge) with the next location being CENTRAL TECH (Ground floor Atrium).

KQ Liverpool would like to encourage businesses, stakeholders, and colleagues to contribute to this collection, which will be ongoing throughout the year. 

We would especially welcome any donations of items from the list below:

  • Tinned meat
  • Tinned tuna
  • Veg / Tomato Soup – Tinned or packet
  • Cereals
  • Sanitary products
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Beans 
  • Sugar

For further information about the Kensington Fields Community Association, please visit their website.

Sciontec launches CENTRAL TECH with more than 50% pre-lets

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Sciontec has now secured pre-let agreements with seven innovation organisations at CENTRAL TECH on Copperas Hill, which joined its portfolio of innovation assets in March. The building officially launches today, as part of the LCR Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) programme.

Among those, Bellrock, the property disrupter,  is creating a head office for their market leading IWMS product Concerto, which will take a 2,635 sq ft office on the building’s third floor, complete with breakout spaces, kitchen and a private terrace overlooking the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district.

AI-enabled platform Harker, which helps homelessness charities to manage their data more effectively to demonstrate their social impact and provide more personalised support, has taken two new first floor spaces at CENTRAL TECH, which will also accommodate software development and digital services firm Jamescape.

The Royal Academy of Engineering, which creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives, is launching their new ‘Enterprise Hub Liverpool’ within the four-storey building.

Labman, which specialises in laboratory automation hardware and software, occupies an all-inclusive space on the second floor of CENTRAL TECH, which stands adjacent to LJMU’s Student Life and Sport buildings.

Engineering firm DefProc, which works with innovators to help develop early stage ideas into market-ready products, is returning to occupy an 823 sq ft electronics lab and workspace on the ground floor of the building, having previously relocated to Sciontec’s Liverpool Science Park four years ago.

Innovation investment consultancy LYVA Labs is relocating its headquarters to a 750 sq ft space on the first floor as it aims to further increase its engagement with start-ups, corporates, higher education institutions, research technology organisations, investors and public funders.

Sciontec has also relocated its team to the building, occupying a 600 sq ft ground floor space in the innovation district’s newest development.

CENTRAL TECH also contains a communal roof terrace, events space, breakout areas and kitchenettes, while customers have access to discounted gym membership at the LJMU Sport building and to the Academic Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, connecting them to a specialist team or expert at the University of Liverpool or Liverpool John Moores University.

Leanne Katsande, head of commercial at Sciontec, said:

“The arrival of CENTRAL TECH has created a real buzz among the city region’s innovation community and we have been inundated with enquiries over the past few weeks.

“CENTRAL TECH’s location, adjacent to the city’s main railway stations and within the KQ Liverpool innovation district, combined with our Sciontec AI all-inclusive packages on the first three floors and ultrafast internet connectivity through LCR Connect, means it is an easy choice for a lot of innovation-led organisations.

“Thankfully, we’ve been able to move quickly with a number of enquiries and have pre-let more than 50% of the building already. We remain firmly in discussions with several other interested parties and we’ll continue to provide tours of our new facility up to and after it opens on 14 May, so please do get in touch if you’d like to see what’s on offer.”

Adam Smith, chief technology officer at Concerto, said:

“The tech scene in Liverpool is buzzing, and we’re really proud to be part of that momentum. We’ve already started chatting with other companies about hosting meet-ups in our space but our new office won’t just be a workspace, it’ll be a bit of a showcase for what intelligent buildings can offer owner-occupiers, and we’re looking forward to showing our customers what’s possible.”

Summing up, Colin Sinclair, CEO of KQ Liverpool and Sciontec, said:

“We are delighted to be launching CENTRAL TECH on LJMU’s Student Life Campus, adding more much needed innovation space to Sciontec’s thriving portfolio of science and tech buildings.

“Demand for CENTRAL TECH has already been unprecedented showing that Liverpool City Region is riding a wave of innovation. The building perfectly complements Liverpool Science Park and Sciontec AI at The Spine and is further growing our community of start ups, spin outs and SMEs.”

For further information, please contact enquiries@sciontec.co.uk, or visit https://sciontec.co.uk/locations/central-tech/ 

Top property professional Colin Sinclair appointed to head up high-powered investment task force.

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ONE of the region’s most influential property professionals has been appointed to head up the Invest Liverpool City Region (ILCR) Partnership Taskforce. Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool and Sciontec Developments Ltd, has been unveiled as Chair of the Taskforce which brings together senior representatives from local authorities, the private sector and key stakeholders to ensure a joined-up approach to attracting, securing and delivering inward investment. It also plays a critical role in shaping and delivering the Liverpool City Region Capital and Real Estate Investment Programme. Colin is a prominent figure in the region’s innovation and investment landscape and has been instrumental in driving major regeneration initiatives, positioning the city region as a global destination for science, health, education and technology.

Colin said:

“The Liverpool City Region has an extraordinary investment story to tell and I am honoured to chair the ILCR Partnership Taskforce at such a pivotal moment. I am confident that we can deliver a new strategy which ensures that the city region will build on its successes to date, and use its enormous development potential to attract investment that will not only boost the economy, but create collaborative and inclusive opportunities which leave a positive legacy for generations to come. Our collective ambition is to ensure the region is not only visible on the global stage but competes successfully for investment that drives inclusive growth. Investment doesn’t just happen – you have to win it, and we are ready to do exactly that.”

In his new capacity as Chair, Colin will lead the Taskforce in providing strategic oversight for the programme and ensuring the region’s £11 billion investment opportunity is showcased to global audiences. Members of the Taskforce contribute sector-specific expertise and play a key role in positioning the city region as a prime location for sustainable and impactful development. Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council said:

“Liverpool and the wider City Region continues to gain recognition for its forward-thinking investment propositions, including transformational regeneration schemes, innovation districts and strategic employment sites. Working in conjunction with the Chair and Taskforce, we will continue to develop our collective effort to leverage the city region’s assets and realise our ambition to attract long-term, sustainable investment delivering high-skilled jobs and careers.”

The news comes as Liverpool City Region prepares to showcase £11bn worth of investment opportunities across the region at UKREiiF 2025, the UKs Real Estate and Infrastructure Investment Forum. The event takes place later this month in Leeds and is set to welcome 16,000 delegates, speakers and investors across three days.

Innovation Investment Fortnight to showcase billions of pounds of Liverpool City Region opportunities

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  • More than 20 diverse events highlighting scale and scope of city region innovation
  • Launch event to showcase University of Liverpool’s groundbreaking Life Sciences Innovation Zone projects and more
  • Builds on last year’s inaugural Innovation Investment Week
  • Includes fourth annual Innovation Investment Summit, major maritime event, and Dragons’ Den style pitching returns
  • Other events covering world-leading sports science, inspiring the innovators of tomorrow, design, and space innovation

More than £2bn of investment opportunities are to be showcased at a two-week festival highlighting the breadth, depth and quality of place-based innovation across the Liverpool City Region.

 

Running from May 12-23, Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) will feature at least 20 events covering topics ranging from the city region’s world-leading life sciences innovation to maritime, space, AI and sports science.

 

Innovation Investment Fortnight - blue logo with a picture of a lightbulb

 

The fortnight also includes a Dragons’ Den style pitching event, the fourth annual Innovation Investment Summit for Scaling and three nights of ‘Pint of Science’ in which leading city region academics will speak at pubs across the city region.

 

Liverpool City Region currently has £1bn of live innovation projects with a further £2bn of projects in the pipeline and seeking investment.

 

The city region’s Life Sciences Innovation Zone, which launched in April 2024, is alone expected to attract £800m of public and private sector investment.

 

Kicking off with a major University of Liverpool event showcasing its pioneering collaborations, including Life Sciences Innovation Zone projects, the fortnight will highlight the city region’s world-leading assets and distinctive approaches that put it at the forefront of UK place-based innovation.

 

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

 

“Our region has always been a place where great ideas are born – and through Innovation Investment Fortnight, we’re putting a spotlight on the people and projects turning those ideas into world-class industries.

 

“From life sciences to space tech, our region is helping shape the future – and we’re doing it in our own unique way. We’re not just talking about innovation – we’re investing in it, unlocking billions in opportunities, and making our region a magnet for talent, creativity, and investment.”

 

May 12: The University of Liverpool is teaming up with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to bring together global leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers to explore Liverpool’s cutting-edge collaborations and investment opportunities at the What IIF! How Pioneering Partnerships Are Driving LCR’s Innovation Future event. The event will feature some of the biggest names from LCR innovation and include the launch of the Microbiome and Infectious Disease (MaID) Innovation Hub. It will also showcase groundbreaking innovations in AI, materials, climate tech, and the future of music.

 

May 13: Day 2 will feature an LCR Space Partnership launch workshop

 

May 14: Day 3 includes the opening of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s new innovation hub called Central Tech. Plans for a new Animates cartoon book aimed at inspiring young innovators will also be revealed at a special event in Blackburne House.

 

May 15: The all-day Business of Science Conference will be held at The Spine in Liverpool.

 

May 19: Dragons’ Den style Pitching event at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in which innovative early-stage companies from across the region will showcase their groundbreaking ideas to a diverse panel of investors.

 

May 19-21: It’s beer, boffins and banter as leading city region scientists take to pubs and bars in Liverpool and Wirral to share and discuss new ideas in a series of 14 Pint of Science events

 

May 20: Mersey Maritime will be hosting the flagship Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region event at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The same day the University of Liverpool will host an all-day conference on designing biodegradable chemicals and Butters Innovation and IUK Business Growth will host a Summit looking at Design in Innovation at MTC.

 

May 21: The fourth day-long LCR Innovation Investment Summit for Scaling will be held at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

 

May 22: KQ Liverpool – In the Know event – Investing in skills will be held at Liverpool’s new tech hub, CENTRAL TECH.

 

May 23: LJMU will host a Sport Science Showcase, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its pioneering department that catalysed today’s multi-billion-dollar sports data industry.

 

Since the first Innovation Investment Summit in 2022, Liverpool City Region has spearheaded a series of landmark initiatives including piloting Innovate UK’s national Launchpad grant programme now rolled out to 8 other localities. It is also one of very few places invited to forge a new Strategic Relationship with UKRI following publication of the English Devolution White Paper at the end of last year – reflecting the region’s highly developed place-based innovation approach at the national forefront.

 

Liverpool City Region agreed the country’s first place-based partnership and action plan with Innovate UK and in 2023 a landmark innovation deal was signed with South Korea’s second city, Busan, as part of a major government UK-South Korea innovation twinning programme.

 

And last year Liverpool City Region held its inaugural international AI Summit and its first Innovation Investment Week.

 

The city region has also become one of only three places in the UK to benefit from both Investment Zone, known locally as the Innovation Zone, and Freeport status.

 

The Life Sciences Innovation Zone programme will help the city region towards its innovation powerhouse goal of spending 5% of its economy on R&D by 2030 – nearly double the UK target. Achieving the target would deliver an estimated £41.7bn of gross economic benefit, a 10% increase in productivity and 44,000 new jobs.

 

The city region is a world leader in infection prevention and control, materials chemistry and AI solutions and emerging technologies, with growing strengths in net-zero and maritime innovation

£10m funding for AI-powered robotic labs that will accelerate new treatments for deadly infections

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New AI-powered, robotic labs that will accelerate development of new treatments for deadly diseases are to be built in Liverpool after £10m Innovation Zone funding was agreed.

The High Containment Level 3 labs, located at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and supported by the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), will be capable of handling a range of pathogens during development and validation of new treatments that could save lives worldwide.

The new laboratories will be fitted with state-of-the-art robotics, AI, and liquid handling systems to safely progress research and development of new vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for high-risk and deadly infectious diseases.

LSTM is already home to the largest concentration of Containment Level 3 laboratories in the North West, which played a key role in the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new facility will also support the next phase of iiCON’s development, bolstering the infection innovation ecosystem between industry, academia, and the NHS to enhance the discovery and route to market for products that tackle infectious disease.

Find out more about the Life Sciences Innovation Zone in the city region.

The new laboratories will enhance innovative human organoid research, which involves sophisticated technologies using tissues grown to mimic different human organs. The facilities will enable closer collaborations with industry and potentially speed up regulatory approval for new treatments.

As well as saving lives, the robotic laboratories are forecast to generate £40m of investment in the first three years – creating well-paid jobs and driving research.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“Robotic labs might sound like something out of science fiction, but this is very much science fact – and a massive vote of confidence in our region’s position as a global leader in health innovation.

“We saw during the pandemic just how vital our local life sciences sector is—not just to our region, but to the world. This investment will build on that legacy, helping to fast-track life-saving treatments while attracting new businesses, creating high-quality jobs, and keeping our brightest minds here in the Liverpool City Region.

“This is what devolution is all about—backing our strengths, bringing in investment, and making sure we’re shaping a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous future for our area.”

Professor Giancarlo Biagini, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at LSTM said:

“LSTM is proud to receive this vital investment, which, alongside funding from UKRI’s Expanding Excellence in England (E3) fund and the Wolfson Foundation, enables us to establish a cutting-edge automated facility for developing advanced human infection models for emerging and high-consequence diseases.

“This combined £20m initiative will accelerate the preclinical development of new therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics – strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in health innovation. This investment aligns with our regional commitment to driving health innovation and regional prosperity, ensuring that the Liverpool City Region remains at the forefront of health science innovation and impact.”

Professor Janet Hemingway, founding director of iiCON, said:

“iiCON is delighted to support this transformative initiative. By harnessing iiCON’s extensive network of industry, academic, and clinical partners, we will ensure this cutting-edge facility is maximised to drive innovation and ultimately improve health outcomes.

“This investment strengthens Liverpool City Region’s position as a global hub for infection innovation and reinforces our commitment to fostering impactful collaborations, supporting SMEs, and creating high-value jobs. Through iiCON’s specialist research platforms and translational expertise, we will work closely with partners to unlock the full potential of this facility, ensuring it delivers real-world impact for patients, communities, and the wider economy.”

Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Innovation, Cllr Liam Robinson said:

“iiCON is a superstar of Liverpool City Region innovation – helping to save countless lives through its world-leading fight to control and prevent deadly infections.

“This hi-tech investment through our health and life sciences innovation zone programme promises to speed up the discovery of new treatments which will drive jobs and prosperity in the city region, while making the world a safer place.

“It will also further cement the city region’s status as a global leader in the fight against some of the world’s deadliest infections.”

Founded in 2020 with an £18.6m Government grant, iiCON has quickly grown into a £260m programme working with a global network of more than 1,000 organisations, creating hundreds of jobs and bolstering the city region’s R&D infection spend by £1bn.

By enabling industry access to world-leading facilities and expertise, it has supported 36 new products to market, with more than 5 billion units of life saving products and treatments reaching communities across the world.

iiCON’s ambitious new lab project forms part of the 10-year Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone programme which is expected to attract up to £800m of public and private investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs to the region.

Read the Life Sciences Innovation Zone prospectus.

The Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme (LCR Innovation Zone Programme) is part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme.

New initiative seeks locals with business ideas to tackle health and care challenges

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A groundbreaking initiative to tackle health and care inequalities in Liverpool City Region (LCR) communities launches today. Citizen First LCR will put power firmly in the hands of those with experience of health and care challenges on the ground.

Applications are now open to find eight inspiring LCR residents with a powerful business idea that tackles the health and care issues facing them and their communities. To remove barriers, they will receive a year’s Real Living Wage salary, seed funding, and comprehensive support, including a dedicated business advisor and cutting-edge tech support from the University of Liverpool.

Citizen First LCR is part of the University of Liverpool’s Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone (CHI-Zone), funded by the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme, and brings Public Life’s Citizen Incubator model to Liverpool for the first time. The model involves recruiting inspiring local people through a CV-less process and giving them a full-time salary and 12 months of leading support to turn their innovative ideas into businesses that tackle the social issues affecting them and their communities. Citizen First LCR is co-funded by the Fusion21 Foundation, the registered charity of national social enterprise Fusion21 Ltd, which specialises in efficient and impactful public sector procurement and delivers visible social value. It is also funded and supported by local housing associations Torus Foundation, Riverside, and Livv Housing Group.

Selected Citizen First LCR residents will benefit from the CHI-Zone’s expertise in health and care-tech development, gaining access to academic and technical support from the University of Liverpool. This hands-on approach means the successful applicants will be working on the ground from day one —applying data, AI, and technology to their business ideas while engaging directly with customers and communities. As their business model develops there will be opportunities to test assumptions with potential buyers, build the brand, integrate technology into their solution, and connect with investors. By the end of the year, it’s hoped they will secure investment to take the next big step in their venture.

The project delivery partners are looking for inspiring business ideas that offer new ways to tackle health and care challenges rooted in the experience of local communities. Recruitment will be completely CV-less with a focus on lived experience and entrepreneurial drive, not qualifications or work history. Neither do applicants need to be tech-savvy from the outset.

Recruitment is open from Wednesday 2 April to Sunday 4 May 2025 – events will be held in-person across the Liverpool City Region and online for those who would welcome an opportunity to meet the Citizen First team. Further information about the programme and how to apply can be found on the Public Life website at www.publiclife.org.uk/citizenfirst.

Professor Iain Buchan, W.H. Duncan Chair in Public Health Systems, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, and Director of Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) said:

“CHI-Zone will mobilise data, technology, and deep collaboration with our residents to drive health and care innovations. We will support hidden entrepreneurs from local communities to pioneer solutions to challenges they’ve encountered with healthcare, social care or general health and wellbeing. Our entrepreneurs will have access to scientists, engineers, health and care experts, and established industry partners. This civic approach is core to our University’s work in breaking new ground in science and technology while responding to our communities’ needs. Those needs include the opportunities afforded by a thriving life science and digital economy in Liverpool City Region.”

James Green, CEO and Founder of Public Life, said:

“Liverpool City Region communities are full of inspiring residents with innovative ideas and the passion to drive change that comes from their own experiences. Yet, without financial security and the right opportunity, many are held back from becoming the entrepreneurs we all need if we are to tackle important health and care challenges impacting local people. Citizen First LCR is on a mission to change that.”

Jo Hannan, Head of Fusion21 Foundation said:

“Citizen First LCR is a game-changing opportunity that removes financial barriers and provides the right support for local innovators to turn their ideas into impactful outcomes. Our Foundation is proud to support a programme that puts power back into the hands of communities and fosters real, lasting change in health and care.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for innovation, said:

“We know that local people know their own areas best and are bursting with creative ideas about how to solve issues in their communities.  We’re delighted to support Citizen First LCR which will enable people with extraordinary and innovative ideas to make a huge difference to their local area.”

The Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme forms part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme, positioning the city region as a powerhouse for health and life sciences innovation.

Liverpool City Region innovation heavyweights agree collaboration pact

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Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district and the Sci-Tech Daresbury national science and innovation campus, incorporating the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), will work together to identify potential future projects, investment opportunities and access to facilities.

Both locations are key pillars in the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences and Healthcare Innovation Zone. Health and life sciences contributes £5bn to the city region economy, representing 14.2% of GVA (gross value added) – nearly double the average for England. There are 1,800 businesses involved in health and life sciences in the region, with 97,000 health-related jobs and 6,000 in life sciences.

The new memorandum of understanding will also involve hosting visits or delegations, contributing to the city region’s long-term, innovation-led development agenda, and amplifying its profile among external stakeholders.

KQ Liverpool and Sci-Tech Daresbury already share intelligence as part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Board, while both have also been awarded Innovation Zone funding by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The opportunity for a closer working relationship between the two locations as created by the MOU has the potential to result in major economic and scientific outcomes given the pedigree and achievements to date of both sites. 

Sci-Tech Daresbury’s cutting-edge infrastructure, access to world-class expertise, and highly effective collaborative environment make the campus a leader in transformative advancements in science and technology. It is home to over 160 businesses and has aspirations to bring 8,000 jobs to the campus through its medium-long term expansion

The campus hosts STFC’s internationally renowned Daresbury Laboratory. This brings unparalleled expertise in particle accelerator technology, nuclear physics, high-performance computing, quantum computing and AI — key technologies driving innovation across a range of sectors including life sciences and healthcare, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and digital technologies. 

One of the most significant assets at Sci-Tech Daresbury is STFC’s Hartree Centre, a world-leading facility that leverages advanced digital technologies such as supercomputing, AI, and quantum computing in partnership with IBM Research who have one of their international Research Labs on the campus. This has helped to deliver breakthroughs across a range of sectors including life sciences and healthcare, logistics, energy and advanced manufacturing.

KQ Liverpool is a 450-acre urban innovation district that occupies over 50% of Liverpool city centre. This world-leading innovation district is home to some of the world’s most influential players in science, health, technology, education, music, and the creative performing arts 

It has world-class specialisms in medical research including infection and disease, public health and clinical informatics, surface science and biofilms, materials chemistry, sports science, manufacturing technology, modern methods of construction, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence and robotics. These are brought to life through its world-leading facilities including; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool Science Park, Materials Innovation Factory, Digital Innovation Factory, and CENTRAL TECH, which was recently acquired by KQ Liverpool’s spin-out development company, Sciontec.

The impact of the closer working relationship between the two locations will be instrumental for the future standing of the Liverpool City Region as a science and innovation powerhouse.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“From the world’s first passenger railway to breakthroughs that have shaped modern science and healthcare, the Liverpool City Region has always led from the front.

“Today, that legacy continues with two of our biggest innovation powerhouses – KQ Liverpool and Sci-Tech Daresbury – joining forces to drive forward growth and opportunity for our region.

“This partnership is another step on our journey to becoming a genuine science and innovation superpower – and proof that if you want to shape the future, you should be looking to the Liverpool City Region.”

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, said:

“The Liverpool City Region has enormous potential for growth, underpinned by a strong and vibrant knowledge economy. It’s vital, therefore, that Sci-Tech Daresbury and KQ Liverpool, which are at the forefront of that positive change, work together wherever possible to create a robust innovation ecosystem and a compelling narrative for investment. 

“We look forward to collaborating further with Sci-Tech Daresbury, STFC and UKRI to generate even more opportunities and positive outcomes for people living and working across the city region.”

John Downes, chair of Sci-Tech Daresbury, said:

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is a national and international facility and key asset for the Liverpool City Region having STFC’s national laboratory at its centre, and is an outstanding example of public and private open innovation collaboration. 

“We look forward to working closer with the Knowledge Quarter to raise the profile of the city region internationally as an innovation hotspot that is the perfect location for groundbreaking technology businesses to locate.”

Paul Vernon, Head of STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory said:

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our shared vision for the Liverpool City Region. Here at Daresbury Laboratory, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of sectors including science, healthcare and digital technologies. 

“By combining and sharing our resources and strengths with KQ Liverpool, we are able to unlock a wealth of opportunity for growth and innovation.”

New collaboration with Dstl to tackle emerging health threats

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A new collaboration between The Pandemic Institute (TPI) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is set to fund vital research into emerging infectious diseases. The initiative will bring together researchers from both organisations with the aim of strengthening the UK’s ability to detect, understand and combat known and emerging pathogens.

The collaboration will build on a shared goal of both organisations to understand and reduce the risks of known and new infections. Bringing together experts in infectious diseases and pandemic research from different organisations is essential for improving the UK’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these threats. This collaboration will support several research projects which will draw on the expertise of both organisations, including developing new diagnostic tests, evaluating new therapeutics and using cutting edge technology to better understand viral pathogens.

Nine projects are being funded in total, one of which will use artificial intelligence to predict virus-host interactions, aiding the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics.

Dr Femi Olorunniji, Reader in Synthetic Biology at Liverpool John Moores University, highlighted its potential:

“By applying AI, we can accelerate the process of discovering how viruses interact with human cells, making it easier to develop targeted treatments and stop infections in their tracks.”

Professor Tom Solomon CBE, Director of The Pandemic Institute, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: 

“The recent global health crises have shown us that we must be proactive rather than reactive when dealing with infectious threats. This collaboration with Dstl will ensure that we are at the forefront of scientific innovation, developing tools that could be crucial in preventing future pandemics.”

Dr Stuart Perkins, Programme Manager at Dstl stated:

“This joint programme encourages and supports our scientists to work within national multidiscipline teams and will allow Dstl to access novel tools and products, being developed within academia, that could be utilised within the defence and security arena. It generates value for money and ensures cohesion across defence and academic research. The programme strengthens Dstl’s mission to ensure our armed forces maintain operational effectiveness at all times, even in the event they were exposed to infectious agents”.

The partnership between TPI and Dstl represents an exciting step forward in pandemic preparedness, ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of infectious disease research. You can find a full list of funded projects here.

A memorable March for KQ Liverpool

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We know March can be a busy time for many organisations, but at KQ Liverpool and our spin-out development company Sciontec, it’s been especially action-packed.

The month began with a special In The Know event to celebrate International Women’s Day. The ‘Accelerate Action’ session, hosted at Sciontec’s Garden Suite in Liverpool Science Park, featured a fascinating panel discussion with Professor Ana Bras from Liverpool John Moores University, Jen Fenner of DefProc Engineering and Philippa Glover from Philippa Glover Ltd, emphasising the urgent need to address gender inequalities and dismantle the obstacles that can impede women’s progress.

The following day, our assistant chief executive Emily Robson received a richly-deserved Rising Star award at the Women in Business Awards, hosted by Downtown Liverpool. We also learned that Sciontec’s head of property and operations George Barclay has been shortlisted for Insider’s Young Professionals Awards.

Our KQ Futures Programme – part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone – continued at pace, with students from three different local schools and colleges visiting innovation sites within KQ Liverpool and learning more about the incredible range of careers that are available on their doorstep.

Emily joined chief executive Colin Sinclair and head of marketing Sally Bloor at MIPIM, the annual international real estate and investment conference in Cannes, where the team helped to showcase a range of exciting opportunities within KQ Liverpool.

These included updated plans for HEMISPHERE, a pair of £156m laboratory and workspace innovation developments by Sciontec. Located at Paddington Village, HEMISPHERE will offer a unique combination of chemistry labs, data labs, bio labs and innovation labs, alongside incubator and grow-on space, with some of the world’s most advanced facilities.

It was announced that HEMISPHERE Two will be home to a new double-height robotics and AI-enabled chemistry  laboratory space on the ground floor to help drive innovation research and develop manufacturing capability. Plans for biology and chemistry labs at HEMISPHERE One are already underway, with work expected to begin later this year, supported by funding from Liverpool City Council’s Strategic Futures fund and the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone. 

Sciontec also confirmed that Morgan Sindall has been appointed as preferred contractor at HEMISPHERE One, with Worthington Owen and Avison Young instructed as leasing agents. Carter Jonas has been appointed as leasing agent for HEMISPHERE Two.

Completing the round of major announcements, it was revealed that Sciontec has acquired CENTRAL TECH, a new 27,000 sq ft urban technology building on Copperas Hill that will open on May 1 following a commitment of fresh investment to create a global hub for innovation in health, life sciences, technology and digitalisation, utilising the ultrafast LCR Connect network. 

Meanwhile, members of the KQ Liverpool team have been active at events across the city region, taking part in meaningful conversations around innovation careers and skills development. 

Among those events were All About STEM’s Experience of the Workplace in partnership with Liverpool City Region Careers Hub at Liverpool Hope University, where our Skills Project Co-ordinator Codi Ellis and Inclusive Innovation Officer Rachel Newman spoke with more than 150 Year 8 students about careers in the Liverpool City Region. 

Our head of partnerships and external relations, Claire Kidman, attended Knowsley Hall to mark 10 years of Club Liverpool. The event celebrated the significant economic impact that conferences bring to the region. Congratulations to all colleagues who were recognised for their outstanding contributions.

We have also engaged with LCR Careers Hub and partner organisations around equalex, a new work experience programme for which LCR is one of four pilot areas. This was in addition to two round table discussions around the green skills agenda and shaping futures for women in science.

So, as April approaches and the weather gradually improves, we will briefly catch our collective breath before embracing the many exciting events and opportunities that are heading our way in the coming months.

National Careers Week: KQ Futures team highlights

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National Careers Week is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. It aims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar, to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways.

This year, National Careers Week ran from 3rd to 8th March, and our KQ Futures team were kept very busy, getting involved in a number of events, visits and sessions, to increase awareness, inform and inspire local young people on their career journeys. 

One of the main activities took place on Wednesday 5th March, when we ran a Future Innovators Day, a key strand of our KQ Futures programme, part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone. Ten students from Dixons Fazakerley Academy, aged between fourteen and fifteen, were invited to visit the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district, to experience the range of innovative careers available to them on their doorstep.

The Year 10 students met with local businesses who employ hundreds of people working across the science, technology and engineering sectors, and undertook a tour of their facilities at Sciontec owned Liverpool Science Park.

Guest speakers on the day included colleagues from Liverpool John Moores University’s Astrophysics Research Institute who shared insights into their own career journeys and offered practical advice for routes into STEM careers.

The Future Innovators Day tour also took the students to visit the University of Liverpool, enabling them to explore their state of the art Digital Innovation Facility, where collaborative exploration of emerging research and digital technologies help accelerate innovation.

The KQ Futures team received extremely positive feedback from the students and teachers who attended, with one teacher describing the day as “extremely enlightening” and that “the students gained so much out of it”. Another added that “I most sincerely believe that your innovation day has inspired our students.”

Another key event during National Careers Week was KQ Liverpool’s ‘In The Know’ breakfast, on Thursday 6th March, which had a focus of Accelerating Action thanks to the date also correlating with International Women’s Day.

Over 60 attendees gathered to hear a panel of leading industry experts share their insights into breaking down the obstacles impeding women’s progress and gender inequality, as well as enjoying some informal networking.

Facilitated by Rachel Newman (KQ Liverpool), the expert panel included Jen Fenner (DefProc Engineering), Prof. Ana Brás (Liverpool John Moores University) and Philippa Glover (Philippa Glover Ltd). Key topics discussed included the need for more female founders, skills needed for future careers, and innovative ways to inspire young women to take up careers within health, science and technology right here in the Liverpool City Region.

During National Careers Week, members of the KQ Liverpool team were also invited to a roundtable hosted by LCR Careers Hub to mark the launch of modern work experience pilot, equalex, which is one of four national pilots launched across the UK.  The pilot focuses on introducing meaningful work experience to improve work readiness and employability skills for young people.  Whilst in the programme’s infancy, we were delighted to be involved in discussions on how to shape this programme moving forward and are excited to see how the developments support the future talent pool of Liverpool City Region in the years to come.

A key part of our 2040 Vision is to inspire the next generation of innovators, and getting involved with large scale initiatives, like National Careers Week, is just one way we are delivering our mission to create a place that is both inclusive and inspirational for generations to come, through fostering transformation, raising aspirations and showcasing innovation.