UKSPA Scotland Group Meeting

Wednesday 24th September 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm

Roslin Innovation Centre, Agri-tech Hub Boardroom (ground floor)

The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) represents, promotes and supports a diverse network of members that includes science parks, research campuses, city-based innovation districts, technology incubators and innovation centres across the UK (and beyond). These members operate in different areas, with different funding and investment profiles but together deliver enormous added value to companies that occupy space or participate in member activities.

The Scotland Group meets several times per year at different Member venues to discuss needs, activities and issues specific to the regions. The Scotland Group provides an opportunity for members to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other through a variety of channels and activities.



Photo of Val Hughes-White, Director of Roslin Innovation Centre standing beside the Canter statue on Easter Bush Campus

appointment of new chair

Val Hughes-White, Director of Roslin Innovation Centre, has been appointed as Chair of the Scottish Group for UKSPA.  Roslin Innovation Centre is home to 36 tenants and members within the Animal Health and Bioscience, Agri-tech and Aquaculture (A3), and One Health sectors. 

Val also leads the adoption and entrepreneurial activity for the Agri-tech Hub; one of five Data-Driven Innovation hubs within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal. 

Roslin Innovation Centre is part of a UK Research and Innovation Campus supported by BBSRC UK Research and Innovation Campuses, and is proud to be part of Midlothian Science Zone which has the highest concentration of animal bioscience expertise in Europe. 



Science Parks and Campuses provide a foundation for wide range of science and innovation activity for Scotland – they provide the home-base to an exciting range of activity covering a multitude of sectors. 

More than ever this case needs to be celebrated and promoted to both the Westminster and Scottish governments. This is particularly important now when government and wider innovation funding is becoming more complex and difficult to secure for our future ambitions. 

The recent pre-announcement of regional innovation funds, where only one award is being made to each of the devolved nations, highlight more than ever why UKSPA should support the promotion of a united, integrated case for Scotland’s science and innovation activity. 


"As UKSPA Scotland Group Chair, I would like to work with Scotland Members to investigate how we produce such a case for our Scottish network and welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can go about doing this for the diverse activities taking place across Scotland. 

"Our September agenda starts to look at how we do this; I encourage you to attend, welcoming dialogue and debate on how we can maximise this network to be as productive and beneficial for us all."

Val Hughes-White, Director of Roslin Innovation Centre and UKSPA Scotland Group Chair

AGENDA

09.30 - 09.45   Welcome to all and Introductions

09.45 - 10.30   Talk on raising the profile of R&D in Scotland for UKSPA members (Dr Ben Bleasdale, Director of Public Opinion, Campaign forScience and Engineering)

10.30 - 11.30    Future Direction of Scottish Group - Policy direction, promotional activities (Chair)

11.30 - 12.15    UKSPA Scotland Conference March 2026


JOIN UKSPA

This meeting is for UKSPA Scotland Members.  If you are interested in attending this meeting, please email UKSPA.  

For more information on the benefits of UKSPA Membership and how to join, please view the UKSPA website.



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