Representatives from the University of Glasgow, Kadans Science Partner and Morrisons Construction attended a ceremony to mark the start of works on the Health Innovation Hub in Govan.
A special turf cut ceremony was held at the site of the Health Innovation Hub, which is supported by Scottish Enterprise and is a flagship investment within the University’s Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID).
From left to right: Jim Johnstone (Morrison Construction), David Moore (Ryden), Allan Cunningham (Morrison Construction), Paula Leca (Morrison Construction), Professor Iain McInnes (University of Glasgow), Ruth McLaughlin (University of Glasgow), David Ewing (Morrison Construction), James Sheppard (Kadans), James Dawson (Kadans), Paul McCrorey (Morrison Construction)
The new facility will be home to commercial businesses as well as the University of Glasgow-led Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine – an internationally-leading programme, supported by UKRI Strength in Places Funding, which is focused on translating cutting-edge research and healthcare innovation into a real-world clinical setting.
Designed to be highly flexible, the Health Innovation Hub includes both laboratory and office space for life science and health businesses, with research links to both the University of Glasgow and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
The Health Innovation Hub will have an accessible ground floor, with a café and collaboration space, to create a useable space for the local community. Morrison’s communities’ team will also be linking with schools and colleges, as well as the University to use the site as learning tool to inspire the future generation to consider a career in construction.
Professor Iain McInnes, University of Glasgow Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, said: “The University and Kadans Health Innovation Hub will be the cornerstone of our UKRI Strength in Places-funded Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine.
“The world-class facilities created here will be key to the supportive and dynamic ecosystem that brings together academics, industry partners and the NHS to achieve this goal. The Health Innovation Hub will be a catalyst for collaboration and innovation to better tackle global healthcare challenges, bringing real-world benefits to patients and the NHS.”
James Dawson, Development Manager, Kadans Science Partner, said: “We are proud to celebrate this milestone with the team on the Health Innovation Hub site. Careful consideration has gone in to designing this state-of-the-art building and it is exciting to see this continue to evolve. As we continue to bring the Health Innovation Hub to life, we are looking forward to providing further growth to the health and life science community in Glasgow and beyond.”
David Ewing, Morrison Construction Building Central Managing Director, commented: “We were delighted to be able to welcome stakeholders to the Hub site to view the early progress we have made, and celebrate the start of this important project.
“We look forward to working with them and the local community to ensure that this project delivers value for local people and its wider mission to innovate and produce better health outcomes for all.”