New £9million centre will bring high-value jobs and new investment to region

December 19, 2018

Construction work will start on a new £9million Centre for Cyber Security in Hereford in the new year – bringing up to 190 high-value jobs and making the region a magnet for high-tech firms.

How the new Centre for Cyber Security will look. Image, Associated Architects

Plans for the ambitious project cleared a critical hurdle after Herefordshire Council approved the launch of a new joint venture company with the University of Wolverhampton to build the centre at Skylon Park.
Work is set to get under way early in the new year with the centre opening its doors in 2020.
The centre will establish Skylon Park and the region as a leading hub of cyber security excellence in a sector worth £2.8billion in this country and £86.6bn around the world.
The 2,000 sq m building will play a crucial role in the country’s fight against cyber crime and offer more than 1,000 sq m of research and development floorspace in three cyber laboratories, business space for 16 companies and form an integral element of the University’s Cyber Research Institute.
Councillors backed the plans after hearing the centre would not only create 190 high-income jobs, but also be a major asset in attracting new high-tech investment into the region.
Cllr David Harlow, Herefordshire Council cabinet member economy and communications, said: “In Herefordshire, we have a very low level of unemployment, but our regional average wage is noticeably lower than many other regions of the country. It is our aim to invest in creating more knowledge-based and well-paid jobs throughout Herefordshire, and the new Centre for Cyber Security will help us achieve this. Cyber Security is a major growth industry and attracting well-paid experts to Herefordshire will bring significant value to our economy.”
Professor Ian Oakes, University of Wolverhampton Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “The new Cyber Centre will be a major new development for Hereford and the regional economy, providing world-class research opportunities alongside cutting-edge academic, vocational and educational training.
“Our strategy is to bring together our collective expertise in a centre of excellence with partners both in the UK and internationally. Cyber Security is a globally significant sector, and this exciting partnership will enable us to enhance skills and ensure the region’s businesses benefit from this important research area.”
Andrew Manning Cox, chairman of the Hereford Enterprise Zone, said the centre would be a key asset to Skylon Park as it continued to build a national reputation as an innovative, success-driven business community.
“This firmly underlines Skylon Park’s reputation as a home for the defence and security sectors, and will prove invaluable in helping us attract inward investment into the Enterprise Zone.”
Under the agreement, the University and Herefordshire Council will make a total loan of £5 million to the new company, in return for a shareholding.
The University has secured part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in conjunction with the Marches LEP Local Growth Fund.
Marches LEP chairman Graham Wynn said: “We are already part of the region with the largest cluster of cyber security companies outside London. The new centre will strengthen our position at the forefront of a nationally-important sector which is growing at ten per cent a year.”

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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