A trio of fast-growing tech companies have announced plans to expand into Sci-Tech Daresbury’s new £17.8m Violet development.
Peak Technology Solutions, ORCHA, MCS will all be scaling up their operations within the campus.
The announcements follow the news in April that Australian firm Blackmagic Design and China’s Geek+ will be taking space in the Violet development.
Violet comprises 43,000 sq ft of speculative Grade A office and innovation space for dynamic, forward-thinking science and technology-focused businesses.
In total, Violet encompasses two buildings (V2 and V3) providing 12,000 sq ft each and one building (V1) of 19,000 sq ft.
John Downes, CEO of Langtree and director of Sci-Tech Daresbury, said: “We’re incredibly proud that ORCHA, Peak Technology Solutions and MCS have chosen Violet to be their new home.
“It has been a privilege to see these companies scale physically at Sci-Tech Daresbury. We will continue to invest in new buildings and infrastructure to support businesses like these as was evidenced with our recent announcement on the upgrading of the digital connectivity to the campus through LCR Connect.”
ORCHA – the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications – was previously based at Vanguard House at the campus and has grown from an innovative health concept to the world leader in health and care app assessments in just six years.
The company’s new 4,500 sq ft base within Violet will support the creation of 100 new roles.
Liz Ashall-Payne, founding CEO of ORCHA, said: “We’ve tripled our workforce over the past 12 months – our headcount is currently 140 but that’ll be rising fast. Our plan is to operate a hybrid model, where teams come together to work from the office for two to three days per week. We’ll have 32 permanent desks but by working collaboratively we should be able to accommodate 75 people comfortably.
It has previously been announced that Peak Technology Solutions– part of the Edwin James Group – is also moving from Vanguard House to Violet.
Peak is an automation specialist that combines technology and data to optimise its clients’ manufacturing assets to improve performance, reduce costs, and manage environmental impact. The company provides consultancy services, performance management, and systems integration to clients in various sectors, including utilities, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals.
Michael Thomas, executive director, Peak Technology Solutions, said: “Our business is growing and we need a base that is fit for the future. Violet will be our new headquarters. It will house one of our automation technology teams and a new Digital Academy that will ensure that we can keep our people up to date on the latest industrial technologies.”
MCS (the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) defines, maintains and improves quality by certifying low-carbon, small-scale renewable technologies and contractors – including heat pumps, solar, biomass, wind and battery storage.
Previously based at Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Innovation Centre, MCS aims to decarbonise heat and power in the UK’s homes by giving people confidence in home-grown energy.
Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, said: “We have been based at Sci-Tech Daresbury for several years now – having relocated our operations from London. In that time, we have committed to nurturing a local, green workforce and have grown our business significantly.
As such, our team now exceeds more than 30 people, so we have outgrown our previous home. Our investment in a purpose-built, high-specification workplace at Violet – in the heart of a buzzing technical campus – will continue to reflect our values of collaboration and help to foster even more talent within MCS well into the future.”
Violet is expected to create or support 332 full-time equivalent jobs and has received £8.4m cornerstone funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, consisting of a £2.5m loan from the Urban Development Fund,
In December, planning approval was granted by Halton Borough Council for Ultraviolet, which is located next to Violet and forms the next phase of development within Sci-Tech Daresbury.
Ultraviolet will comprise a further 180,000 sq ft of Grade A office and laboratory space.