Latest news from Loughborough University
| 5 April 2006 | PR 06/38 |
Land deal will capitalise on Loughborough’s status for innovation and sporting excellence
Loughborough University today (5 April) announced the purchase of a 23-acre area of land which will help propel the region into the spotlight as the centre for sporting excellence and innovation.
The land, which is adjacent to the University, lies between New Ashby Road and the Holywell Park area of campus. It was acquired from 3M Health Care Limited with significant financial support from East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
It is anticipated that this investment will enable the University to foster its research and business agenda, which will impact positively on local employment and further enhance Loughborough’s profile as one of the best universities for innovation.
Part of the land will also be developed to accommodate the national offices of various UK sporting organisations. The East Midlands has a long and successful sporting history, and with London 2012 only six years away, a base for UK sporting organisations in Loughborough will provide an excellent opportunity to build on our existing successes by attracting people and resources to the region.
Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University, said: “We are delighted to announce this acquisition, which marks another significant milestone for Loughborough University. The purchase of this land will enable the University to lay the foundations for its future development in science, enterprise and sport, and will confirm Loughborough as one of the country’s leading universities for collaboration with business and industry.”
Jeff Moore, emda’s Chief Executive, said: “emda has made a substantial contribution towards this exciting scheme which forms part of a long term partnership with the University. This is a huge project and complements our aims to create a flourishing region by helping to reinforce Loughborough, and ultimately the region, as a centre of innovation and sporting excellence. It will also create a significant number of jobs within the national sporting centre and the new Loughborough science park.”
William Cruise, Business Director, 3M Health Care Limited, said: “We have a long standing relationship with Loughborough University in many areas of mutual benefit and support its ongoing development as a leading academic and research centre for science and technology.”
The land sale was negotiated on 3M Health Care’s behalf by Mike Tebbutt, director of Mather Jamie, who added: “I was delighted to be involved in such a significant transaction for the Loughborough area.”
Purchase on behalf of Loughborough University was managed by GVA Grimley.
The acquisition augments the Loughborough University campus to 433 acres.
ENDS
For further information contact:
- Hannah Baldwin, Head of PR, Loughborough University,
T: 01509 222239, E: H.E.Baldwin@lboro.ac.uk - Rosalind Smith, PR Manager, 3M Heath Care Limited,
T: 01509 613009, E: rsmith@mmm.com - Carolynne Tasker, Media and PR Manager, emda,
T: 0115 9888375, E: carolynnetasker@emd.org.uk
Notes to editors
- About Loughborough University: Loughborough has an established reputation
for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry,
and unrivalled sporting achievement. Assessments of teaching quality
by the Quality Assurance Agency place it in the top flight of UK universities;
the National Student Survey ranked Loughborough equal first among full-time
students; and industry highlights the University in its top five for
graduate recruitment. Around 40% of Loughborough’s income is for
research, and 60% for teaching. The University has been awarded five
Queen’s Anniversary Prizes: for its collaboration with aerospace
and automotive companies such as BAE Systems, Ford and Rolls Royce;
for its work in developing countries; for pioneering research in optical
engineering; for its world-leading role in sports research, education
and development; and for its outstanding work in evaluating and helping
to develop social policy-related programmes.
In 2006 Loughborough celebrates the 40th anniversary of its University Charter, awarded on 19 April 1966 in recognition of the excellence achieved by Loughborough College of Advanced Technology and its predecessor Colleges. Loughborough University of Technology was renamed Loughborough University in 1996.
- About 3M: 3M is continuously finding new ways to make amazing things
happen. It is inspired by working closely with its customers to create
innovative products that help make the world smarter, faster, healthier
and safer. Well-known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-It, Scotchgard,
Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.
3M was founded in 1902 and has pioneered technological innovation ever since, including reflective materials used in road signs; the latest flexible ‘soft casts’ for broken limbs; a new class of drugs to treat skin cancer; display enhancement films making electronic displays brighter; and fire protection products that help against the spread of fire, smoke and toxic fumes.
Today 3M employs 67,000 people worldwide to deliver an extensive range of products, technologies and services to its customers in more than 200 countries. Its diverse technologies and products touch nearly every aspect of modern life, from consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and telecommunications, safety, security and protection services, health care, industrial and transportation markets. For further information, please visit our website www.3mhealthcare.co.uk
- About emda: East Midlands Development Agency (emda)
was set up in 1999 to bring more jobs and skills to the region and to
make the East Midlands a better place to live and work.
By 2010 emda wants the East Midlands to be one of the top 20 regions in Europe. The latest figures from Eurostat show the East Midlands is already well on its way, moving from 35th to 28th place out of the 71 European regions.