Durham County Council’s North East Technology Park (NETPark) has appointed Durham University academic, Professor Brian Tanner, as its Chief Scientific Advisor.
Professor Tanner was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, the UK’s highest accolade for business success, for his work in promoting enterprise and business nationally and internationally for over 30 years.
An expert in the X-ray examination of materials, he received the 2005 Barrett Award from the Pennsylvania-based International Centre for Diffraction Data.
He is currently Professor of Physics and Dean of Knowledge Transfer at Durham University, with responsibility for enterprise, business relations and technology and knowledge transfer. He has had a significant impact on technology transfer and the development of spin-out companies, many of them with local bases.
Professor Tanner continues to be influential in the ongoing development of NETPark in Sedgefield and was instrumental in creating the NETPark Business Innovation Gateway.
The Gateway integrates the innovation support provided by Business Durham, Durham University and the Centre for Process Innovation into a seamless process, making it easier for businesses to access.
Speaking of his new appointment he said: “It is an honour to accept this appointment and to be able to take an additional role in developing County Durham’s flagship science park.
It is an exemplar of support for technology based businesses and I am sure that it will continue to grow strongly.”
Stewart Watkins, managing director of Business Durham, which operates the science park on behalf of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted that Professor Tanner has agreed to come on board.
“His scientific experience and expertise will be integral in support of our continued development.
“We look forward to working with him as NETPark continues to expand and develop as a base for cutting-edge innovation.”
Professor Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, added: “This is a much-merited appointment for a talented academic from a world top-100 university with an international reputation for research.
“His vast experience and enthusiasm will be hugely beneficial to everyone associated with the science park. It is a first class role for a first class facility.”