AN event focusing on issues facing the UK science and innovation sector attracted over 100 representatives from Science Parks and Innovation Centres across the UK to the North East.

The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) conference, which was hosted by Wilton Centre near Redcar attracted managers and developers of science and innovation parks along with property agents and brokers.

As well as a series of presentations by leading figures from the Association, Wilton Centre announced it had joined a newly formed nationwide portfolio of six science and technology parks assembled by LaSalle Investment Management.

Called the BEST Network (the Business Environments for Science and Technology Network) it is the largest privately-owned portfolio of science and technology parks in the UK and creates cross-network clusters for the UK in some of the UK’s highest growth sectors and priorities of the Government’s industrial strategy, such as energy, IT and agri-science.

Wilton Centre Manager, Steve Duffield, said the event had been a huge success and had raised the profile of the Centre as one of the UK’s leading science parks.

“It was a real coup for us to host the event and it was a privilege to be able to welcome industry colleagues who have been very generous in their praise for our hospitality.

“Our announcement about the creation of the new BEST network was also received with huge interest given the positive implications that it has for attracting investment into this highly specialist area of the property market.”

Dr David Hardman MBE, Chairman of UKSPA, said: "We were delighted with the quality of the presentations made at this impressive site. We welcomed our 100th location into UKSPA membership at this exceptionally well-attended event which demonstrates the strength and vital role that UKSPA members are making to economic growth"