NEWS16 December 2024
Caroline Fleming, Innovation Director at Surrey Research Park, part of the University of Surrey, has been appointed as a Board Director of the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA).
With a career dedicated to fostering technology startup growth and innovation at the University of Surrey, Caroline brings a wealth of experience to the role. She joins at a pivotal time as the UKSPA continues to champion the value of science and research parks within the broader innovation ecosystem.
Speaking about her appointment, Caroline said: “I am delighted to have been selected to join the UKSPA board. I think it’s important that UKSPA can represent university research parks and champion the investment opportunities they hold and the national value of the ecosystems they are at the core of, and I am passionate about offering my support for this endeavour.
“Using my background in supporting technology start-up growth, this board position will allow me to help shape best practice for parks operation and development, making them perfect places for innovative companies to establish and scale.”
Caroline’s appointment highlights UKSPA’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across the UK’s network of research parks.
Along with Caroline’s appointment to the UKSPA Board, Angie Reynolds, COO of University of Birmingham Enterprise Ltd was appointed as the UKSPA’s new Company Secretary, while Jane Hutchins Director of Cambridge Science Park, was also appointed as a Board Director.
Speaking after the announcement, James Chaffer, Chief Executive, UKSPA said “I am delighted to welcome Angie, Caroline and Jane to the UKSPA Board. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in the science and technology innovation support. Not only that, but they enable us to achieve a long-held ambition to reach gender parity at Board level.”
Founded in 1984 UKSPA supports, promotes, represents and encourages the continued growth of Science Parks, Technology Incubators, Innovation Centres and other Innovation locations and Areas of Innovations.
UKSPA’s origins are inextricably linked to establishment of Surrey Research Park in 1985. It was Malcolm Parry, then CEO of the Park, who co-founded the collaboration between the UK’s seven fledgling science parks which gave rise to the formation of UKSPA.
