Contractor announced to build £9M centre to fight cyber crime

Speller Metcalfe has been announced as the main contractor for the new £9 million Midlands Centre for Cyber Security, with work due to start on site at the end of this month.

Designed by Associated Architects, the centre is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council and will be built at Skylon Park in the Hereford Enterprise Zone, part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in conjunction with the Marches LEP Local Growth Fund.

The 2,000 square metre building will provide significant resources for research and development across three cyber laboratories, advanced training facilities as part of the University of Wolverhampton’s Cyber Research Institute (WCRI) and additional business space for up to 16 cyber companies.

The aim of the centre is to tackle the growing threat of cyber security and the shared facilities will allow private sector businesses to benefit from the university’s networks and expertise as well as make use of the centre’s specialist training rooms and laboratory spaces.

The new centre incorporates a full height glass atrium to provide a dual break-out space and function hall, alongside the main three storey building that houses business suites, innovation rooms, IT workshops and a ‘Cyber Range’ – a cutting edge facility that will defend against the global rise of hacking.

Adrian Speller, Technical Director for Speller Metcalfe, said: “Not only is this an opportunity to recognise Herefordshire as a leader in cyber security, but for Speller Metcalfe it provides an opportunity to deliver a scheme that will have a positive legacy worldwide.”

The Centre for Cyber Security is set to reach BREEAM Very Good, an industry-leading standard of sustainability.

Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “It’s great to see the new Cyber Centre project getting off the ground. This investment represents a major new development for Hereford and the wider Midlands, providing world-class research opportunities alongside cutting-edge academic, vocational and educational training.”

Richard Ball, Director of Economy and Place at Herefordshire Council, said: “This fantastic new facility brings a range of opportunities in the growing cyber security sector to the county. Herefordshire has an established, highly regarded security industry. The Midlands Centre for Cyber Security builds on this expertise providing unique specialist facilities including business development space for small and medium enterprises alongside product testing, research and education, benefitting the local economy through investment, job creation and skills development.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Katy Gilbert, PR Officer on 01684 571200, katy.gilbert@spellermetcalfe.com or Kim Davies, PR Manager on 01684 571200, kim.davies@spellermetcalfe.com.

Speller Metcalfe

Speller Metcalfe is one of the UK’s leading construction companies working from offices in the Midlands, South West and London.

Named as Contractor of the Year at the 2017 Building Awards, the award-winning construction company has key experience in Integrated Project Insurance (IPI), BREEAM, Passivhaus and BIM and has delivered some of the UK’s most innovative and sustainable projects.
http://www.spellermetcalfe.com/