Dr Kath Mackay has been tasked with the delivering Bruntwood SciTech’s vision for Alderley Park as a global centre of excellence for fast growing life science and tech businesses.
Bruntwood SciTech is a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General and they’ve announced Mackay will succeed Dr Chris Doherty, who will remain involved with Alderley Park in mentor, ambassadorial and independent non-executive director roles.
She is taking over a huge site, with a £160m development plan, where over 2,000 people work. The development plan includes a new 150, 000 sq ft building, Glasshouse, which opens next year and is focused on tech and innovation-based businesses.
Mackay joins from Innovate UK – the UK’s innovation agency – which is part of UK Research & Innovation, the £7bn body tasked with creating the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.
She is currently director for Ageing Society, Health and Nutrition and will assumes her new role in October 2019.
Commenting on her new role, Mackay said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Alderley Park. The new generation of companies and research organisations based at the Park are actively engaged in high value science and tech discovery and collectively build on Alderley Park’s internationally-recognised reputation.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire life science ecosystem working closely with partners at Health Innovation Manchester and Manchester Science Partnerships to support businesses to start, grow and scale as Alderley Park enters its next phase of transformation.”
Bruntwood SciTech’s CEO Phil Kemp said: “I’m delighted that Kath will be leading our team at Alderley Park. Over the past decade she has established a reputation as a talented and inspiring leader in a critical area of innovation and discovery. Every day our community of businesses, research charities and institutions strives towards scientific breakthroughs. Kath has a formidable level of insight into the challenges they face and the value of what they can achieve.”
The Park is also home to a wide range of amenities including a conference centre complete with a 232 seat auditorium and meeting rooms, restaurant, gym and outdoor sports pitches. It also offers unrivalled 100GB connectivity, Enterprise Zone status, and is part of the Cheshire Science Corridor.