MEET THE TEAM welcoming visitors and prospective new tenants to the transformed Vulcan Works in Northampton.
The grade II listed former ironworks is now a state-of-the-art hub supporting creative start-up businesses after a £14 million transformation.
The building opened its doors in February and is supporting businesses keen to set up in its office space and workshops, using the building’s meeting rooms and co-working space.
The building is managed by Oxford Innovation Space, which runs the UK’s largest network of innovation centres.
Centre manager Garrick Hurter, who has worked in the serviced office sector for more than 15 years, said: “Our focus will be on providing a low-risk flexible space that brings together the communities of customers within the creative and digital sectors. I look forward to meeting and working with the business community.”
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Main picture: (from left) Customer experience assistant Hannah Tanner; centre manager Garrick Hurter,
business growth manager Darren Smith; centre assistant manager Gail Haddon.
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Assistant centre manager Gail Haddon worked in customer services for almost four decades but switched to the serviced office sector three years ago.
“I am so excited to be a part of this new venture, where we are creating an innovative community, offering a variety of offices, workshops, hot desking, coworking, plus a variety of meeting room facilities,” she said.
“It is much more than a workspace as we provide bespoke support for all businesses within our centre. I cannot wait to see what wonderful businesses join us.”
Customer experience assistant Hannah Tanner arrives from a career in e-commerce, whileDarren Smith has joined as the centre’s business growth manager. He ran his own international primary education business for almost 20 years before switching to advise and mentor new start-up and early stage businesses. His appointment has been described as “a gamechanger” for Vulcan Works.
“I am both proud and hugely excited to be taking on this new role at Vulcan Works,” said Mr Smith. “It really is an incredible space that is so conducive to a growing creative business. I am looking forward to getting to know the wide range of businesses that will call Vulcan Works home and working with them directly to support their growth.”
That will come through the business support provided at the centre, along with networking events, workshops and training, Mr Smith added.
The Vulcan Works refurbishment was funded by West Northamptonshire Council and the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, which facilitated a Local Growth Fund contribution of £6.3 million, together with £3.06 million from the European Regional Development Fund.
