A thriving business hub in Portsmouth has appointed a new centre manager amid portfolio expansion by its operator.
Portsmouth Technopole’s Peter Outen is the latest appointment by Oxford Innovation, which runs 20 similar premises across the UK on behalf of freeholders and local authorities.
Peter takes over from Stephen Brownlie, senior centre manager, who is now leading the newly-unveiled Fareham Innovation Centre at Lee-on-the-Solent.
One of Peter’s first tasks at the five-floor Technopole, which has 94% occupancy, is to oversee the £100,000 transformation of part of the ground floor.
Totalling 1,500 sq ft, a new café is being fitted, along with three meeting rooms and break-out areas.
There are 37 registered firms at the serviced offices building, just off the south-bound M275, with nearly 200 people employed between them.
As senior centre manager, Stephen has direct responsibility for the Portsmouth Technopole, Fareham Innovation Centre and, in Southampton, Ocean Village Innovation Centre.
He said: “Oxford Innovation continues to develop its portfolio of centres, creating supportive business hubs for start-up and growing firms.
“Peter is ideally suited to take the Technopole to the next level and we anticipate the centre being full within the next three months due to the long-term growth of the economy and excellent service provision.”
Peter, from Havant, comes from a technological sales background, including audio visual installations and telecoms.
He said: “It’s like a Dragons’ Den here at times, with entrepreneurs whizzing around and a palpable sense of ambition, positivity and energy.”
As previously reported, a number of jobs have been created at the 20,000 sq ft Technopole by expanding occupiers.
Earlier this year 25-strong Transalis, which helps companies trade electronically without the need for paper documentation, was assigned extra office space.
Bladez Toyz Plc recently took a third office due to product demand from high street retailers. Bladez is a market-leading brand of innovative radio-controlled gadgets and toys, employing 12 people locally.
Services vary from centre to centre but generally an office package includes telephone answering and message services, reception services, mail handling, use of meeting and conference rooms and access to networking events, workshops and business support.
