We have launched HiVE Places, a new independently operated platform focused on developing next-generation innovation environments and accelerating the growth of high value-add economies across the UK.
We strongly believe the UK needs specialist operators that can deliver both the physical environments and the ecosystem support required to turn research, technology and talent into commercial and societal impact. HiVE Places has been established to meet that need by combining the Group’s development and asset management expertise with dedicated ecosystem leadership. The intention is to create hands-on environments and support structures that enable organisations to collaborate more easily, access funding and turn innovation into commercial and societal impact.
Under the maxim of ‘Place-based, Ecosystem-led’, HiVE Places blends an operating business that builds the environments, partnerships and pathways that deliver for businesses and organisations in the science, innovation and technology sectors.
Leadership will be shared by Deb Hetherington as COO and Mark Jackson as CEO, whose combined experience brings together real estate expertise alongside ecosystem development and curation with a focus that is rarely found within a single organisation.
The platform launches with two significant seed assets, both focusing upon the important area of health technology, and working closely with public sector, university, institutional and industry partners. The Old Medical School in Leeds and Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park give HiVE Places immediate scale and national relevance, and form the foundations for a wider pipeline as the platform expands.
Mark Jackson has spent more than three decades delivering complex regeneration and development projects with SGI. Reflecting on what the UK’s innovation districts need to succeed, he said:
“Science, innovation and technology clusters can achieve their true potential when someone takes responsibility for making all of the moving parts work together. Too often in the UK developers provide the buildings but do not go all-in with the commitment to the operating ecosystem that can really unlock the potential in the nation’s many great cities. HiVE Places has been created to close that gap. We are bringing forward the kind of specialist capability that can turn ideas into commercial and economic momentum and we believe the market is ready for a platform like this to scale nationally.”
Deb Hetherington is a recognised leader in the innovation ecosystem sphere with strong networks across the NHS, universities, industry and funding communities. Speaking about the challenges organisations continue to face when trying to innovate, she commented:
“The UK is rich in talent, research and ambition, but organisations still tell me the same thing. Navigating the system is harder than innovating itself. HiVE Places is designed to remove that friction. By combining high-quality environments with curated partnerships and clear pathways to adoption we can help organisations move faster and with far more confidence. This is about building economies, not just providing space.”
Highlighting the broader opportunity behind HiVE Places’ formation, SGI Chairman, Kevin McCabe, concluded:
“We believe that the science, innovation and technology economy will be one of the UK’s strongest engines of growth in the coming decades and regions like West and South Yorkshire are exceptionally well placed to benefit. HiVE Places has been created to capture that opportunity. It brings together the real estate, ecosystem expertise and commercial structure needed to deliver genuine economic impact. This platform will allow these assets and future ones to reach their full potential.”
