Surrey Research Park - CEO Grant Bourhill takes exciting new role

Grant leaves the University at Easter and will be stepping back from his day-to-day duties at the end of February.  

Grant has made a significant impact in a short space of time at Surrey by strengthening sectoral clusters, especially in health and sustainability, championing linkages between companies and the University and maintaining a very high level of occupancy in the Park. He has put Surrey Research Park on a very firm footing for a bright future, with sustainability at its heart. 

From March 2023, Caroline Fleming, Director of Innovation Strategy at the University of Surrey, will head the Research Park on an interim basis along with Jo Bell, Director of Estates and Facilities, who will be responsible for the property and operations.   

Caroline has been at the University for over six years and leads the business growth and industry led engagement activities of the University. It makes the Surrey Research Park relationship leadership highly complementary to her existing portfolio of responsibilities, including the University’s incubation hub, SETsquared Surrey, student and business enterprise programmes and the S100 Club, the University’s Angel Investment community.  

Jo Bell is an experienced property and facilities management consultant and joined the University a year ago. She has over 20 years’ director-level experience in property companies such as JLL, CBRE and Chesterton.  

Kathy Slack, Chair of Surrey Research Park Board, said:  

“Grant has made an invaluable impact, growing the innovative profile of the Park and fostering closer links between businesses and the University of Surrey. He has driven forward the sustainability agenda for the Park, ensuring SRP is well-positioned for the future. He has elevated the profile of businesses on the Park and attracted companies within our sustainability, space, digital and human and animal health sectors. The Board looks forward to working with Caroline and Jo to embrace the opportunities ahead to create an ever stronger and more impactful community.”