A cycle design-and-build business run by a wounded war hero from the Afghanistan conflict is the first to take space at newly-launched Fareham Innovation Centre in Hampshire.
LIOS, founded and operated by Steve McCulley, a former Major with the Royal Marines, has signed up to a high-bay 624 sq ft workshop.
The Marine, a father of two, spent three weeks in a coma and two years in medical rehabilitation before a medical discharge after 17 years’ service.
He suffered life-threatening injuries from an improvised explosive device whilst on foot patrol at Helmand Province, Afghanstan, in May 2011.
During recovery, Steve, now 37, turned his love of cycling racing with the Royal Navy into a new career.
Under the name LIOS – inspired by the names of seven-year-old daughter Lily and eight-year-old son Oscar – he designs, builds, fits and sells bespoke carbon racing bikes, priced from £5,000. Customers include elite athletes.
Fareham Innovation Centre, managed by innovation centres specialist Oxford Innovation on behalf of Fareham Borough Council, has 15 workshops and 24 offices, from 200 sq ft to 800 sq ft, for between one to 10 people.
A range of small businesses can tap into on-site support, meeting rooms and powerful internet connectivity at the Lee-on-the-Solent site by Daedalus airfield.
Situated in the South’s first Enterprize Zone, following special designation by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011, occupiers at the centre benefit from a 100% business rate discount for five years.
Businesses likely to move in include engineering and light manufacturing companies in the marine, automotive and aviation sectors.
Steve, who had most of his right lung removed due to complications caused by shrapnel in his chest, said: “LIOS was previously based at my house, just up the road, and at a rented unit at the airfield. However, this was far from ideal.
“The superb facilities at Fareham Innovation Centre reflect the professional standing of LIOS. It means customers can visit so they can benefit from our 3D motion-capture bike fitting system – one of only a handful in the world.
“My aim is to grow LIOS – perhaps in time our carbon bikes may be used by the next generation of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froomes in the Tour de France.”
Steve says he will also be looking to draw upon the expertise of neighbouring CEMAST – the recently-launched Centre of Excellence in Engineering & Manufacturing Advanced Skills Training.
CEMAST is the main learning centre for more than 900 students in apprenticeship programmes with partner companies such as BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Virgin Atlantic, Coopervision, Burgess Marine and Jensen Motorsport.
Steve, who built his first bike at the age of eight, is qualified as a cycle technician to the highest level possible in the UK, with the Help For Heroes charity for wounded military personnel paying for his accreditation courses.
Stephen Brownlie, the senior centre manager, said: “Steve’s business is exactly the kind we are looking to attract, with design innovation and product demand creating local employment and all-important inward investment.
“LIOS is our first occupier and, given the strong economic recovery and a steady stream of enquiries, we anticipate space filling up quickly, with a strong, vibrant and entrepreneurial community forming.
“The sought-after status of Enterprise Zone, which includes 100% business rate discounts for five years, will benefit start-ups and growth firms as they focus on what they do best, leaving us to take the hassle out of managing their offices and workshops.”
Stephen added: “The workshops provide ideal facilities for light manufacturing and engineering companies undertaking research, testing and product development work.”
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Sean Woodward, said: “It is encouraging that Oxford Innovation is able to welcome LIOS so quickly after the completion of the Innovation Centre.
“I was delighted to meet Steve at the handover of the Centre and believe that his business fits in perfectly with our aim to support the growth of precision engineering and advanced manufacturing businesses on the site.”
Gary Jeffries, chairman of Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, a driving force for regeneration in the area, said: “Our warm congratulations to LIOS as the first occupier – the innovation centre is part of the £5.3m Enterprise Zone which is breathing new life into the site of the former HMS Daedalus Royal Navy Air Station.
“The fact that LIOS, and other businesses beating a path to the innovation centre, will have on-ground support from Oxford Innovation’s highly experienced team is a boon as well.”
Oxford Innovation runs 20 premises across the UK, including Ocean Village Innovation Centre in Southampton and Portsmouth Technopole.
Pictured is Steve McCulley, left, of LIOS, which designs and sells customised carbon racing bikes. With Steve, a former Royal Marine wounded by a bomb blast whilst on foot patrol in Afghanistan, is Stephen Brownlie, the senior centre manager. The centre, with 24 serviced offices and 15 workshops, is run by Oxford Innovation on behalf of Fareham Borough Council.
