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New era for enterprise hub Engine Shed as it appoints new head

Marty Reid, new Head of Engine Shed from January 2020

Press release issued: 20 November 2019

Marty Reid has been appointed the new Head of Engine Shed, Bristol’s leading enterprise hub. He will take over the role from Nick Sturge in January 2020.

Marty joins from Future Space, an innovation centre which is home to 50 science and technology businesses at the University of the West of England. As the Centre Director, he has led Future Space to its full capacity, with tenant businesses raising over £10m of finance in the past 12 months.

Prior to this, Marty worked at Rolls-Royce for over 10 years in roles spanning business and technology strategy, global account management and service delivery.

Marty is a regular speaker on innovation and strategy and has lived in Bristol for seven years. Prior to this he has enjoyed an international career in Canada, Japan, Norway, Finland and Germany.

Marty also takes on the role of CEO of The Science Research Foundation - a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Bristol. In addition to Engine Shed, it also runs SETsquared Bristol, part of the unique partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey which was recently named the global number one university business incubator.

Dr Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Bristol, said: "I'm delighted that Marty Reid is joining us to lead Engine Shed at this exciting time in its development.

"He brings the blend of qualities and experience that we need to lead the next chapter of Engine Shed, which is a flagship for the University's business and civic engagement work."

Engine Shed opened for business in Brunel's original train station next to Bristol Temple Meads in 2014 after the Grade I listed building underwent a £1.7 million transformation thanks to a partnership between Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Its prime location makes it one of the world's most connected enterprise hubs, acting as a 'shopfront' for potential investors in the region. In its first year, Engine Shed added £8 million to the local economy after being in operation for just over a year.

Under Nick Sturge's leadership, Engine Shed has become a collaborative space for resident start-ups, scale-ups, social enterprises and members. It has pioneered experimental projects to drive long-term sustainable and inclusive growth in the local ecosystem.

Marty said: "I'm proud to have been given the opportunity to build on the fantastic work that Nick and the teams at Engine Shed and SETsquared Bristol have achieved.

"In my time living in Bristol, the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem has gone from strength to strength and I've experienced first-hand the spirit of collaboration that runs through the city's institutions and entrepreneurs.

"There is still much potential to be realised, not only in supporting business growth, but also in ensuring this translates into genuine economic benefit and lasting social impact. I look forward to progressing these discussions with anyone who has ideas on how we can work together going forwards."

In 2018, Engine Shed reinvested £180,000 of revenue into projects to drive long-term sustainable and inclusive growth in the local ecosystem. It attracted over 30,000 visitors, including over 1,000 school pupils, and hosted over 1200 events.

Nick added: "This is an exciting time for the Engine Shed and SETsquared projects. I am proud to be handing over to such an accomplished and well-respected individual to design and lead the next chapter.

"Engine Shed and SETsquared need to evolve and develop in an ever-changing city-region ecosystem and as part of the University's exciting new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. This requires a new skillset and I believe Marty has the right values and strategic ability to fulfil the potential of what we have created."

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