Vision

In March 2006, the government published the Science and Innovation Investment Framework “Next Steps” document.  This sets out the government’s intention to create a more effective science and innovation system and maximise the impact of public investment in science on business innovation.

A key aspect of the government’s plan was the establishment of two national science and innovation campuses to help attain this business-science collaboration.

Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) was one of these and it was formally inaugurated by Lord Sainsbury, the former Science and Innovation Minister, in September 2006.

Over £50 million of investment, through the NWDA and ERDF, brought about two new buildings adjacent to the Daresbury Laboratory. These were the Daresbury Innovation Centre, a home to technology-focused SMEs and the Cockcroft Institute (the National Centre for Accelerator Science). 

The resulting campus brings together innovative, technology-focused small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with the scientific research capabilities of the Daresbury Laboratory and stakeholder universities.

Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus is supported by six key stakeholder organisations in the region:

• Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
• Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
• Lancaster University
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• Halton Borough Council

Daresbury SIC’s mission is as follows:

To be:

• An internationally recognised community of scientific, innovation and entrepreneurial excellence

To support:

• Successful collaborations with stakeholders and partners

To create:

• World-class scientific research, prosperous science-based businesses, and high skills jobs