Dr Sally Basker has been appointed as the new CEO of Exeter Science Park. The role will see Dr Basker focussing on developing the Park as a hub for innovative science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and medical enterprises.

What is the Exeter Science Park?

Exeter Science Park is an 850,000 sq ft parkland site containing building clusters and designated plots with planning consent. The aim of the Park is to enable companies to collaborate and innovate together to drive growth in knowledge-based science, technology, engineering and medicine related enterprise. The first building (Eagle House) opened in December 2013 and since then the park has grown substantially, providing a home for a diverse range of STEM-related businesses from biosciences to cybersecurity.

Supporting the growth of start-ups and entrepreneurs

Chair of the Exeter Science Park Board, Professor Sir William Wakeham said, “Sally was selected for her experience in international business and a proven track record in delivering public and private sector programmes and strategies, securing funding and stakeholder engagement at the highest level.“She impressed the Board with her experience and understanding of the local knowledge base as well as her past successes in growing businesses and leading research and development programmes.“It was clear from the outset that Sally had the vision to drive the business here at the Science Park, to continue attracting new tenants and supporting the growth of start-ups and entrepreneurs.”Dr Basker is a qualified engineer with 15 year’s senior level research and innovation experience in the aerospace, defence, energy and navigation sectors over her 25-year career.

Extensive international experience

She has been responsible for crafting business cases, attracting funds and procuring multimillion-pound research facilities, as well as creating and implementing growth and diversification strategies for high-value technology products and services.Dr Basker also has extensive international experience working with decision makers in the European Union, US, Russia, the Far East and South Africa. Recent roles have included Head of Business Development at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, where she established and incubated five technology special business units. Having recently completed an MBA, Dr Basker has also led and delivered a number of successful projects for organisations such as the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN), Traxis Ltd and Helios Technology Ltd.

'Connect, support and inspire'

“Exeter Science Park is becoming recognised as a leading hub for science and technology, and the opportunity to take the helm and drive this organisation further was something I couldn’t refuse,” said Dr Basker.“We have some extraordinary work going on here, and there is extraordinary work happening all over the south west. I want to see more people coming here, sharing knowledge, collaborating, pushing the boundaries and trying new things.“We have a great opportunity to build on the excellent reputation that the Science Park has already achieved. We will not only host science-based businesses and organisations, but we will connect them, support them and inspire them to deliver growth.”

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Professor Wakeham added, “With the Science Park Centre now at over 70% capacity, the Met Office High Performance Computer (HPC) Collaboration Suite open for business and the start of the next phase of development imminent, now is the time for us to build strong relationships with the local knowledge base and drive the Park’s ambition to be a world-leading facility for science and technology based businesses.”For related news and features, visit our Enterprise section.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory  Get access to our free Global Mobility Toolkit