Business and academic leaders gather to pay tribute to York Science Park Director
On the 30th July, key figures from York’s business and academic community will gather to celebrate the success of York Science Park Ltd. and in particular the achievements of its Managing Director, Susanne Gilbert, who has announced her decision to retire at the end of September.
Involved in the York Science Park since its inception, Susanne was originally the Innovation Centre Manager, and has spent the last eight years as Managing Director of YSPL. Under Susanne’s leadership, the facilities have grown significantly, from an original 20,000 sq.ft. base to now offering 112,000 sq.ft. of fully managed specialist space including the Innovation, Bio and IT Centres and grow-on space at Enterprise House. The Park now offers a total of 300,000 sq. ft. of business accommodation.
Now one of the most successful Science Parks in the UK, over 1400 people currently work on the fully developed 21 acre site, in 96 different technology and science-based companies, and it is widely regarded as one of the key drivers for economic growth within the area.
From obtaining funding and planning permission, to project managing the individual construction projects, Susanne has been closely involved with every stage of the Parks’ development. In addition to this, her work in forging collaborative partnerships with key organisations in York and Yorkshire, including the University of York, Science City York and Yorkshire Forward, has had a major impact on the Parks’ success.
As well as ensuring the very best facilities are on offer to existing and potential tenants, Susanne has also successfully branded and marketed the Park to position it as a world-class facility, attracting international interest. During her tenure, she has seen many companies grow from small start-ups to successful businesses, meeting their demands for extra space and facilities along the way.
Commenting on her time with YSPL Susanne said: “I have enjoyed working here because the job has involved lots of different challenges and ample opportunities for growth. It has also been a source of great satisfaction to be leading a company which has made an important contribution to sustainable job creation and economic growth for the region. It has been especially rewarding to see so many young start-up companies on the Park grow and develop into successful companies.”
Succeeding Susanne will be Tracey Smith, who will become General Manager in August. Tracey has worked as Operations Manager on York Science Park for the last five years, building around her a strong, customer focussed team. One of her main achievements has been the successful project management of the Park Central development, which offers a dedicated networking, social and café area in the heart of the Science Park.
Tracey said: “I have enjoyed and benefited tremendously from working with Susanne over the last five years, and am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead York Science Park forward into the future. We have some very exciting plans in place, including the development of incubation space on the Heslington East site, and I am greatly looking forward to the opportunities and challenges this will bring.
We have a superb team to work on our new strategy and plans for expansion, and I am very enthusiastic and confident about the future.” Susanne added: “Under Tracey’s leadership York Science Park will continue to go from strength to strength and play a key role in the development of York as a world-class business location. I wish her every success!”
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: “York Science Park has grown into a great economic asset for the city, encouraging the growth of new enterprises and facilitating the exchange of expertise between the University and the business community to their mutual benefit. Susanne Gilbert’s leadership has been central to York Science Park’s success. It has been a great pleasure to work with Susanne over the last few years. On behalf of the University, as well as from a personal point of view, I want to wish her well for the future.”