Manchester Science Park chief takes national lobbying role

Jane Davies, chief executive of Manchester Science Park, has been promoted to chairman of the UK Science Park Association after two years on the board.

Davies, who was previously vice chairman of UKSPA, will lobby policy-makers on members' experience of the UK innovation and enterprise climates.

UKSPA member parks provide accommodation to 3,400 tenant companies, most of which are technology-based small firms, employing 75,000 people. Davies said the UKSPA has supported and driven growth in the sector, and the UK now has over 100 science parks from a starting point of just two in 1982.

She added: "This is the third time the chairmanship of UKSPA has been held by the chief executive of Manchester Science Park, and I'm proud to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor Professor John Allen who, as well as being chairman twice, was one of the eight founder members of the association in 1984."

In June 2006, Davies was elected president of the European division of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) for two years.

She is also a director of Manchester Enterprises, the economic development agency for Greater Manchester, and of the newly formed Oxford Road Corridor Investment Partnership.