The chief executive of Space Park Leicester has left for a new position in Surrey.
Grant Bourhill has left the £100 million space industry and research centre, which opens this summer, to run the Surrey Research Park.
He has been made chief executive of the University of Surrey site, in Guildford, where more than 4,000 people work and which contributes a reported £620 million to the economy.
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He replaces Dr Malcolm Parry, the research park’s founder and CEO, who is retiring after 40 years of service.
Mr Bourhill leaves the University of Leicester-led space park just as the first phase has been formally completed.
The first part of the complex, on land to the north of Leicester near the National Space Centre, could eventually help create and support 2,500 jobs.
Much of the work carried out there will be based around using satellite data to help with everything from modelling transport and traffic, to looking at global sea temperatures or deforestation in the Amazon.
Subsidiaries of aerospace and technology companies such as Hewlett Packard, Airbus and Amazon have already signed up as tenants. Further phases are also being built.
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The space park project is now being overseen by a team including Professor Sarah Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College for Science & Engineering, and Space Park Leicester Strategic Partnerships Director Martin Barstow.
Mr Barstow said: “Since joining the Space Park Leicester project three years ago, Grant has played a critical role in turning our ambitious dream into reality.
“We are very sorry to see him go, but wish him well in his new role as CEO of Surrey Research Park.
“Like Space Park Leicester, Surrey is an important part of the wider 海角视频 space infrastructure and we look forward to future collaborations with Grant.”
A University of Leicester spokesman said: “The recognition of Space Park Leicester’s local and national potential is testament to Grant’s impact here in Leicester, and we wish him every success in the future.
“The University is reviewing its leadership arrangements for the Space Park Leicester, ahead of welcoming our first co-location partners in the summer.”
Mr Bourhill said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Surrey Research Park.
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“It is an honour to take charge of a vibrant community of 170 high-tech companies, supporting thousands of jobs in the park and the wider area.
“It is testament to Malcolm Parry’s work and leadership over 40 years that the team have created such a superb asset that contributes so significantly locally and nationally.
“I am proud and humbled that this is now moving under my care.
“I look forward to working with our tenants, the university, the Surrey business community and partners as we strive to add even more value to the economy and foster business and academic collaboration to drive economic prosperity and innovation even further.”
Enterprises on the business park cover sectors including space, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, telecommunications and health, many of them working with the University of Surrey.