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Derek Harris to stand down as head of Aston Science Park

May 29 2008

A leading champion of entrepreneurship in the West Midlands has announced his impending retirement as chief executive of Aston Science Park.

Dr Derek Harris, who has been instrumental in transforming derelict acreage in inner-city Birmingham into what is now recognised as one of Europe's most foremost science parks, is to step down this year.

Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman of Birmingham Technology Ltd, the management company of the Science Park, said: "Under Derek's direction, Aston Science Park has been in the vanguard of technological change, encouraging diversification of the city's economic base and creating growth, employment and wealth for the community.

"Derek has played a key role in establishing Aston Science Park - and on behalf of everyone associated with the Science Park we wish him every success in the future."

Dr Harris will stay on as chief executive until his successor - still to be chosen - is able to take up the post.

Dr Harris joined Aston Science Park in1983, the year it was launched by Aston University, Birmingham City Council and Lloyds TSB Bank as Britain's first inner-city science park, providing accommodation for start-up enterprises and SMEs operating within the knowledge-based sector.

Since then, it has expanded to provide a total space of about 250,000 sq ft, still catering for fledgling organisations but also offering facilities for international and UK companies requiring headquarters-type accommodation. Today, the Science Park is home to more than 100 companies employing in excess of 1,400 people.

Future schemes include a joint initiative with Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Heartlands Hospital to launch a Medipark, creating hundreds of high quality research and technology jobs.

Dr Harris said: "There is no doubt that Aston Science Park has made a huge contribution to the Birmingham economy. But its most exciting developments are yet to come - and I wish it well for the future."

Dr Harris, who sits on the board of Aston University, is a non-executive director of several local companies, as well as being a director of UK Business Incubation Ltd and an expert consultant to the European Business & Innovation Centre Network. He served two terms as president of the prestigious European Business Network, an organisation which promotes the development of business and innovation centres both inside and outside the European Union, and is an ex-director of the International Association of Science Parks

His commitment to the development of business was rewarded in July 2000 when he was named as the winner of the Ernst & Young Central Region Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award. Later that month he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Aston University.

He had put his name forward to succeed Nick Paul as chairman of regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands, but failed to get past the first round of interviews, amid a very strong field of applicants.

Further recognition came in 2006 when he collected his 'Oscar', a lifetime achievement award from UK Business Incubation for transforming a former brownfield industrial site into a centre of international recognition. The award recognises individuals who have placed business incubation at the heart of tailored business support and influenced national policy for the good of entrepreneurs and businesses.

Dr Harris has also forged collaborative links with the Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre, of which he is currently chairman, and the Business & Technology Centre at Stevenage - partnership ties which have resulted in Aston Science Park being part of the European Space Incubator Network project. In addition, Dr Harris is chairman of the Bexley-based Thames Innovation Centre.

Dr Harris is also chairman of the board of trustees of the Severn Trent Trust Fund, which helps disadvantaged families who struggle to pay their water bills. The trust fund, which is headquartered at Sutton Coldfield, currently receives around 8,500 requests a year for financial assistance and since its formation ten years ago has provided grants of £21.6 million to more than 45,000 households.