According to Struan McDougall, Chief Executive of Anglia Capital Group “The agri-tech, food, life sciences, engineering and energy sectors, all vital for future economic prosperity, are experiencing rapid growth in the region.” Capitalising on this rich seam of opportunity is a primary reason why the company has chosen to base themselves within Norwich Research Park’s new hub building, Centrum.
Anglia Capital Group is a private investor network developed to link angel investors to the right opportunities in Norfolk and Suffolk. The group is managed by Anglia Angels Ltd, a company established by founders and local Norfolk based members of the successful Cambridge Capital Group, which has grown to 60 member investors and supports high tech businesses around the Cambridge cluster. Through this relationship with Cambridge Capital Group, Anglia Capital Group is already well connected with most active investment funds in the region.
Struan is confident of the benefits of being based at Norwich Research Park and feels it is the ideal location for Anglia Capital Group to have a presence, placing them at the centre of the innovative science and research taking place on the Park, in addition to facilitating easy access to other high growth sectors such as engineering, energy and digital technology that are thriving in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Struan commented of the move: “We are delighted to take space in the new Centrum building at Norwich Research Park. It is a true ‘hub’ building with open access for all based at the Park as well as welcoming visitors from off site – an essential ingredient when looking to build and establish new connections and relationships. The state-of-the-art meeting rooms are extremely versatile, allowing us to hold investor and potential applicant meetings as well as larger events for our members and the look and feel of Centrum certainly gives the right impression from our perspective. In addition, and importantly for our business, being located at Centrum gives us direct access to all the key decision makers within the management team and wider institutions on the Park.”
Centrum is the new hub building located at the heart of Norwich Research Park. Centrum’s two upper floors provide customisable laboratory and office suites on flexible lease terms ideal for growing companies who wish to enjoy the benefits of being located alongside the innovative businesses and cutting edge research institutes already located at the Park. The ground floor is home to impressive meeting and networking facilities, as well as a 140 seat contemporary restaurant and café, all of which is open to both Park residents and visitors alike.
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth CEO of Norwich Research Park says that Anglia Capital Group are a well timed addition to the Park. She adds:
“Recognition of Norwich Research Park as a nationally and internationally important centre of excellence for bioscience, both academically and commercially is tremendously exciting. The commercialisation and application of the impressive science and research being developed at the Park is a key driver in our success and having a direct source of early stage funding available on site via Anglia Capital Group, with a proven track record in delivery is very encouraging for our institutions and businesses.
“Anglia Capital Group epitomises what our new hub building, Centrum, is all about. Face to face interactions are an intrinsic part of how they do business and Centrum’s facilities and location within Norwich Research Park provides the ideal platform for forming these long lasting relationships.”
Struan endorses this view, “some crowdfunding, is done online these days. While these useful tools for some small investors, they do not allow for the benefits of face to face discussions required by serious business angels to really understand the potential in a business and the passion of those involved in it.
“We already feel part of the Norwich Research Park community and look forward to supporting great businesses in the region.”