• Private sector investment in open innovation

• Proactive management of surplus property

• Providing support to access government funding

Scott Bader is a Common Trusteeship Company, employee owned, having been gifted to the workers by its founder Ernest Bader in 1951.  Like many multinational companies, Scott Bader found themselves with excess space on their main site in Wollaston. They had previously let some of the space to a university spin out and had seen many advantages in collaborating with them.

Oxford Innovation were introduced to Philip Bruce, MD of Scott Bader through our involvement with the Borough Council of Wellingborough at Wellingborough Innovation Centre. Philip visited the Diagnox Lab at Cherwell Innovation Centre and immediately saw the potential for a similar shared lab facility and innovation centre space, for chemicals and composites related companies in their empty buildings. Over a number of months, Jo Willett, Marketing and IC Development Director worked with Philip on submitting a grant application to Northamptonshire Enterprises Ltd (NEL) for their Fit for Market Fund. As a result of this we were successful in securing £140,000 to refurbish the Bryson Building and part of the John Hand Laboratory at Wollaston.

A unique element of the project is the potential of links with Scott Bader, who will provide access to advice, R&D capability and equipment via their Measurement Science Group worth up to £1,000 per company and are hoping to build strong links and foster a culture of ‘Open Innovation’ with some exciting start up companies in the chemical industry.

This initial development is relatively small at c 5,000 sq ft of office, workshop and shared lab space, but if successful there are other buildings on site that could be brought back into use for further Innovation Centre space.