Pictured above: Katherine Preston
Fledgling entrepreneurs based at Birmingham Science Park Aston
(BSPA) will receive additional support in their development through
the appointment of Katherine Preston as Business Incubation
Manager.
The appointment reflects the success of BSPA's Entrepreneurs for
the Future (e4f) programme, which helps high-tech start-up
companies to achieve growth by providing office space alongside
access to finances, expert advice and mentoring.
Katherine will work alongside the entrepreneurs to help ensure
that budding new businesses continue to receive relevant support
throughout their development.
Katherine is no stranger to BSPA, having previously worked on
the BSEEN project, a collaborative venture between three of
Birmingham's universities, which supports graduate entrepreneurship
and is also based at the Park.
Katherine said: "This is a brand new role with an incredible
amount of potential for development and I am excited to be able to
sculpt this role to provide the best possible support to our e4f
clients.
"Since it was launched at the end of 2009, e4f has already
proven itself to be a huge success, with a significant number of
technology start-up companies that have come to us growing into
revenue generating businesses. I will now be looking to
attract more high-risk, high-growth opportunities and develop
stronger connections with local businesses in the region to ensure
that we continue to build on our reputation for success."
Entrepreneurs for the Future supports regional start-ups and
promotes the digital skills agenda by providing the tools, space
and expert advice to help businesses achieve long-term commercial
success. With funding secured for the next three years, plans are
already underway to expand the incubator, providing further space
for fledgling entrepreneurial enterprises.
Simon Jenner, BSPA's head of incubation, said: "The appointment
of Katherine is a really positive indication that the e4f programme
is exceeding our expectation and continuing to provide positive
benefits to the businesses in the incubator.
"Ultimately companies that are attracted to the BSPA through e4f
and establish themselves in or around Birmingham will help in the
future economic development of the region and create new jobs as
well as encouraging more companies to the West Midlands to do
business."
Located on the edge of the city centre, Birmingham Science Park
Aston is one of a select number of urban science parks within the
UK. The 14 acre Park is wholly owned by Birmingham City
Council.