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Over 100 representatives from businesses and other organisations in Northamptonshire and beyond gathered at Silverstone Innovation Centre recently to mark the official opening of the Centre’s prestigious new Conference Facility by Damon Hill, President of British Racing Drivers Club and Formula 1 World Champion.
The rooms offer all the support needed to run a professional meeting and companies holding events at the Centre can also take advantage of a tailored hospitality package that includes options for delegates to enjoy a backstage tour of Silverstone Circuit, go trackside to view F1 testing or participate in management training programmes organised by Silverstone Circuit. Delegates at overnight events can also benefit from reduced rates on accommodation at nearby Whittlebury Hall, a superb Georgian-style hotel.
Damon Hill said: “I am very pleased to launch this fantastic new Conference Facility that will become an invaluable asset to the companies of Silverstone Innovation Centre. This is a great example of how the BRDC through Silverstone and the East Midlands Development Agency are working together to make a positive contribution to the motorsport business community in this country.”
Silverstone Innovation Centre, a joint venture between British Racing Drivers Club and emda, is managed by Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading operator of innovation centres.
Michael Carr, Executive Director of Business Services at emda and Chairman of Silverstone Innovation Centre added that he: “would like to reiterate emda’s endorsement and backing for all that this Centre is doing to assist the next generation of companies operating within the motorsport industry. The Silverstone Innovation Centre is an iconic building that has been designed to provide a serviced environment to foster the growth of advanced engineering and motorsport related businesses. Alongside our investment in Motorsport Development UK, the Centre is a key part of our support for Motorsport Valley, the UK’s world class motorsport cluster based around Silverstone.”
Dr David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford Innovation, said: “We are delighted and honoured that Damon Hill has kindly agreed to officially open the new Conference Facility at Silverstone Innovation Centre. Since opening in April 2005, Silverstone Innovation Centre has become a hub of entrepreneurial activity, and established a track record for providing vital support to entrepreneurs, who can benefit from a range of offices on flexible terms and access to finance from private investors, as well as practical business advice and regular networking events.The new Facility will enable us to offer a professional conference service to companies attracted by the opportunity to hold their meeting or event at the home of British motorsport making for a truly memorable occasion.”
Following the official launch, guests viewed exhibitions by several companies from the Centre. They included: Advantage Marketing Group - recently charged with securing a new title sponsor for Carl Fogarty’s World Superbike Team - who will display one of the unique Foggy Petronas Racing “FPR” machines; A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport , who organise the races and logistics for the A1 GP international racing series; The Race Drivers Academy, who work with Loughborough College to provide degree level training for people entering the motorsport industry; Crash Media Group, a web development agency specialising in the automotive and motorsport industries and publishers of the world’s leading motorsport portal www.crash.net, and Motorsport Development UK, a partnership responsible for spearheading a five year investment programme in UK motorsport.
The Launch Event was preceded by a meeting of Silverstone Investment Network, featuring selected entrepreneurs who pitched their proposals to an audience of the Network’s investor members hoping to raise funds to develop their businesses. Presenting companies included P903 who are developing a fuel efficient and affordable supercar for the road that will have a distinctive 3-seat, central driving position and a stunning 3.8 second 0-62mph performance.
L-R: Michael Carr, Executive Director of Business Services at EMDA; Damon Hill, BRDC President and Formula 1 World Champion; David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Innovation and David Thomson, Legal and Procurement Director at Silverstone Circuit outside Silverstone Innovation Centre after the launch of the Centre’s new Conference Facility.
Press Release Ends
Press enquiries to: Margaret Henry, PR Manager, Oxford Innovation.
Tel: +44 (0)1865 811199 E-mail: Margaret Henry
Silverstone Innovation Centre is a joint venture between British Racing Drivers Club and the East Midlands Development Agency, managed by Oxford Innovation. The Centre is designed to house up to 40 high performance engineering start-up and growing companies and offers 30,000 sqft of space with individual units ranging from under 200 sqft to over 1,000 sqft. It is located at the Silverstone circuit, the home of British motorsport and the venue of the British Grand Prix, and is served by the A43 dual carriageway between the M1 and M40.
For further information, or to arrange a visit, contact: Dianne Wilson, Manager of Silverstone Innovation Centre on 01327 856000 or email: Dianne Wilson
Oxford Innovation provides services to innovative start-up companies, and to government bodies that promote enterprise. It is the UK’s leading operator of Innovation Centres, managing 12 Innovation Centres that provide flexible office and laboratory space to over 400 technology, knowledge-based and creative companies.
Oxford Innovation manages three highly successful investment networks that have helped over 90 companies raise £19.5 million during the last five years. They include: Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION www.oion.co.uk), Europe’s most successful technology business angel network that links investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from £150,000 to £2 million; Oxford Early Investments (www.oxei.co.uk), which helps very early stage companies raise finance of up to £150,000; and Thames Valley Investment Network (www.tvin.co.uk), which links entrepreneurs seeking funding of up to £1m with investors in Reading and surrounding areas.