The University of Reading has announced a major initiative to develop an Enterprise Centre on its Whiteknights campus in Reading.

Working with the University’s selected partner, Kier Property, the new Centre will offer 55,000 sq ft of high quality space to innovative and technology-based companies.

The University has a strong record in collaborating with such businesses, helping them harness the research expertise and business development skills at the University and providing them with the support, facilities and space to grow. This new facility will significantly enhance the University’s capacity in this regard.

The Enterprise Centre forms part of the University’s wider plans to work closely with technology-based companies and builds on the already successful Science and Technology Centre on the Whiteknights campus and its existing small business incubator. In addition, subject to planning permission, the University seeks to develop a Science and Innovation Park in Shinfield, which will also bring together innovative knowledge and technology-based companies from both the local and international business communities.

David Gillham, director of Research and Enterprise Services at the University of Reading, said: “The new Enterprise Centre will significantly grow the University’s opportunity to develop a cluster of businesses located at the University and will be the bridge for small start-up businesses while they grow, before ultimately moving onto larger premises in the Science and Technology Centre or future Science and Innovation Park.”

The University has selected Kier Property as its development partner in the venture. The building has been designed with sustainability in mind. It will be delivered with green features such as green and brown roofs to improve biodiversity, variable speed cooled chillers, solar thermal panels and sun pipes.

Leigh Thomas, associate director at Kier Property, explained: “Kier Property is delighted to be working in partnership with the University to deliver this exciting new landmark building on campus. With sustainability and energy use a key priority, the building will be designed to high environmental standards, achieving a minimum BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, while still delivering a commercial building with low lifecycle costs. Our holistic approach to the design of the building allows us to look at the most efficient use of material and energy resources, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in both the construction and operational phases, while maximising the commercial potential of the building.”

By significantly increasing the scale of operation, the University hopes to attract a number of established businesses to the University to complement the strong and developing cluster of early stage and growing companies.

Savills is appointed to advise the University of Reading.