Sir George Buckley: Businessman's pride as Huddersfield innovation centre celebrates first decade

Yorkshire businessman Sir George Buckley says he is “extremely proud” to be associated with Huddersfield’s pioneering 3M Buckley Innovation Centre as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
By Chris Burn
Published 25th May 2023, 05:45 BST

Carved out from a former textile mill, the £12m 3M BIC was one of the country’s first innovation hubs and designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia. Its vision was to give companies, particularly SMEs, access to research expertise and advanced technology and allow universities to draw on commercial capabilities.

Sir George, who grew up in poverty in Sheffield but ended up becoming CEO of the massive American conglomerate 3M, attended an event to celebrate the centre’s anniversary this week.

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Sir George, who is the current Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, said: “Innovation Centres like the 3M BIC are crucial to evolving and disrupting markets.

Prof Andrew Ball, Pro VC, University of Huddersfield and 3M BIC Chair; Sue Cooke, 3M BIC CEO; Sir George Buckley and Prof Bob Cryan, VC University of Huddersfield next to cherry tree planted to mark the 10-year milestone. Credit: Northern ExposureProf Andrew Ball, Pro VC, University of Huddersfield and 3M BIC Chair; Sue Cooke, 3M BIC CEO; Sir George Buckley and Prof Bob Cryan, VC University of Huddersfield next to cherry tree planted to mark the 10-year milestone. Credit: Northern Exposure
Prof Andrew Ball, Pro VC, University of Huddersfield and 3M BIC Chair; Sue Cooke, 3M BIC CEO; Sir George Buckley and Prof Bob Cryan, VC University of Huddersfield next to cherry tree planted to mark the 10-year milestone. Credit: Northern Exposure

"Giving companies, particularly SMEs, access to academic expertise and technology that are otherwise out of reach due to budgets and limited skills, are invaluable to business growth, longevity and driving innovation. I’m extremely proud to have my name associated with the Centre and look forward to what the next 10 years hold.”

Officially opened in May 2013, the 3M BIC is a subsidiary of the University of Huddersfield, part-funded by ERDF, as well as Kirklees Council.

Since then, 55 businesses have spun out of the centre while more than £4m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund has been invested in technology, including 3D printers, Xray machines and microscopy, providing businesses with access to capabilities that otherwise would be out of reach due to limited budgets and skills in-house.

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The centre has also won several awards including a National Technology Award for Tech Investment, THES Entrepreneurial University of the Year and a Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion.

Sue Cooke, 3M BIC’s CEO, said: “The 3M BIC has always been ahead of its time, inspiring many hubs that have followed in recent years. As enablers of innovation and enterprise, we help companies innovate and develop ideas through access to our technology and links to the University of Huddersfield.

“Organisations can also build networks with our businesses and associated partners and put down roots in one of our office or lab spaces. We have built a great community over the last 10 years and are looking forward to the next 10.”

Professor Bob Cryan, CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, said: “Over 12 years ago, we had a vision to create a hub that would help bridge the gap between the commercial and academic worlds, actively promote innovation and enterprise, and support regional economic growth. It has been rewarding seeing that vision come to fruition over the last decade through the 3M BIC.”

Related topics:HuddersfieldYorkshireSMEs