Headcount at Europe’s most-concentrated cluster of space organisations and fast growth space start-ups grew 16% in 2019
New figures released this week (29 January) by Harwell Campus has demonstrated the continued growth of the Harwell Space Cluster with the number of organisations in the Cluster growing from 89 to 105 in the year to December 2019.
Collectively employing over 1,100 people (growing 16% year on year), Europe’s most concentrated space cluster is on-track to reach its ambitious target of 200 organisations collectively employing 5,000 people by 2030.
While the global space sector is expected to continue growing strongly, with estimates forecasting $1 trillion in revenue annually by 2040 up from $350bn today, the UK space sector plays a crucial role in that growth. With 948 UK organisations active in space, up from 208 a decade ago, the UK is generating £14.8 billion in income at 2.6 times the national average for productivity.
Harwell Campus’ contribution to national growth lies in its ability both to connect the best ideas with the advice, talent, facilities and funding needed to develop innovative technologies and sustainable new businesses, that can scale rapidly on campus, and as the host to national capabilities and facilities that benefit companies and researchers across the country - creating new markets, new jobs and driving economic growth throughout the UK.
Dr Joanna Hart, Harwell Space Cluster Development Manager, UKRI-STFC said: “Having strong research and unique testing facilities, combined with space expertise, business support and physical space to grow has been critical to the rapid development of the Harwell Space Cluster.
"The concentration of space activity alongside the Energy and Health technology Clusters at Harwell Campus has created a fertile environment for multi-disciplinary innovation. In turn attracting companies to Harwell from across the space value chain.”
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director of Harwell Clusters and Business Development, UKRISTFC, added: “The three Clusters together now comprise 162 organisations, and, significantly, almost a third of these are active across more than one cluster, providing avenues for technology translation across disciplines.”
