Liverpool-based innovation property company Sciontec has appointed Barbara Spicer CBE as its first independent chair, as it continues to expand its portfolio across the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Innovation District.
Spicer brings extensive leadership experience spanning local and central government, as well as the housing and regeneration sectors.
Her previous roles include senior positions at Salford City Council and the Skills Funding Agency, where she worked closely with private sector partners on major developments such as MediaCityUK, Salford Central and Greengate.
Most recently, she served as chief executive of Plus Dane Housing Group in Merseyside.
She will succeed professor Mark Power, vice-chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, who steps down as chair on November 24th after three years in the role.
Power will remain on Sciontec’s board alongside representatives from its shareholder organisations, which include Liverpool City Council, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Bruntwood SciTech.
Under Power’s leadership, the firm has seen significant occupancy growth across its innovation assets and expanded its footprint with the launch of CENTRAL TECH, a new workspace opened earlier this year.
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“It has been a privilege to chair Sciontec over the past three years, a period during which we have achieved significant occupancy growth across our portfolio of innovation assets with the arrival and inception of numerous businesses, while also adding a new location, CENTRAL TECH, to our roster,” said Power.
“We are pleased to have been able to attract somebody of Barbara’s calibre to lead the Board onwards and are looking forward to working with her.”
Spicer added: “The board and team at Sciontec have achieved an incredible amount in a short period of time, and I am excited to join them at this point in their journey.
“I am sure we will continue to strengthen this innovative partnership, broadening our portfolio and giving more opportunities to those pioneering people and businesses who will play a key role in growing the City Region’s economy.
“Personally, it is a privilege to be able to contribute to such an exciting agenda in my home city.”