New Collaborative Innovation Centre opens at Porton Science Park

The carbon neutral centre, which officially opened on Friday (June 30), is designed to facilitate greater collaboration between academia and the health and life sciences and defence technology sectors.

It has new offices, wet and dry laboratories and bespoke facilities.

Smaller businesses and visiting researchers, academics and entrepreneurs can benefit from using the meeting spaces to exchange ideas, knowledge and skills and help encourage stronger collaboration between organisations.

The new Lyle Building (Image: Wiltshire Council)

The new building was officially opened by Jonathan Lyle CB FREng, a former Chief Executive at the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

The Collaborative Innovation Centre has been named The Lyle Building in honour of Jonathan Lyle’s significant contribution towards the creation of the science park.

Jonathan Lyle said: “I am delighted to be associated with this next step in the development of the Porton Science Park. It's a great example of bold collaboration between Government laboratories, local Government and business to facilitate innovation and economic prosperity in Wiltshire.”

John Lyle, Gill Lyle, Jonathan Lyle and Dr Beverley Lyle (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Porton Science Park is going from strength to strength which reflects the vital role it plays in supporting the unique science and technology expertise at Porton Down.

“The first phase of developing the site was completed in 2018 when The Beech-Allen Building opened and now we have completed phase two with the opening of The Lyle Building.

"The science park has the capacity to expand further, and we will work with our main campus partners, Dstl and UKHSA to attract additional investment in the future.

“This new facility will bring more highly skilled jobs and the brightest and best talent to Porton Science Park helping us to realise a key aim of having a thriving economy and the ability to attract and retain high value businesses and jobs. We are proud of all that has been achieved at the science park.” 

Cllr Richard Clewer, Jonathan Lyle, Rt Hon John Glen MP and Mrs Sarah Troughton (Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire) (Image: Wiltshire Council)

John Glen MP added: “It is hugely exciting to see the Collaborative Innovation Centre come to fruition.

“Porton Down deservedly has an international reputation for the quality and expertise of the people who work there.

“The more opportunities we can create for these brilliant scientists to share, develop and commercialise their ideas, the more attractive Porton Down will become as a crucible for success.”

The Lyle Building was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Wiltshire Council and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP).