Celebrating 40 years of Innovation at Surrey Research Park

Around 600 people from Surrey Research Park-based businesses, along with staff and students from the University of Surrey and distinguished guests – including Guildford MP Zöe Franklin – gathered to mark 40 years of innovation in Surrey.

The celebrations on Tuesday 17 June saw the Park transformed into a vibrant community festival.

Employees from around 60 companies and partner organisations took part in a dynamic expo, showcasing their sector-leading innovation, research, and company stories.

We were also honoured to welcome several prestigious guest speakers who shared fond memories of their time at the Park:

• Dr Malcolm Parry OBE, one of the Park’s visionary founders
• Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, founder of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL)
• Peter Molyneux, founder of 22 Cans and early pioneer of the Guildford games industry
• Mark Bennett, Technology Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence and long-time Park community member
• Juliet Jones, Chief Scientific Officer at NatureMetrics, runner-up in the 2024 Earthshot Prize

The event also saw the launch of the Park’s new self-guided, AI-enabled and interactive Augmented Reality tour.

The on-site celebration was delivered by the Surrey Research Park Communications and Engagement Team and the University of Surrey, with valuable input from the Park’s ESG Group – a collective of representatives from Park-based companies – who helped shape the event and ensure a strong focus on sustainability.

The celebrations also provided a valuable real-world opportunity for students from the University’s Department for Hospitality and Events to gain hands-on experience in event management. And away from the buzz of the crowds, Professor Christine Rivers led meditative wellbeing sessions.

From Local Event to Global Stage: Promoting Park Innovation via Livestream

Meanwhile, over in the Surrey Technology Centre, our Space Enterprise Lab was temporarily converted into a high-tech TV studio. Here, a two-hour livestreamed innovation and technology show was broadcast to around 250 viewers, giving several Park community members the opportunity to share their expertise and brand stories with a global audience.

They were joined by Professor Andrew Rogoyski from the University’s Institute for People-Centred AI and Professor Amelia Hadfield, speaking on CIFAL and sustainability. The show also included a special entrepreneurs surgery featuring expertise from our SETsquared Surrey business incubator and Park-based expert Patent Attorneys from Venner Shipley.